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2.1 St Mungo's Primary School, Alloa, Stirlingshire

The St Mungo's Reading Buddy Club
St Mungo's Primary School

Primary 7 pupils are selected to join the Buddy Club by means of application forms and references. I organise and run a full day's training, out of school, consisting of problem solving, co-operative games and group discussions. Back at school, the newly 'qualified' Buddies are issued with identification badges, award stickers, rules and a contract which they sign.

I assist Class Teachers in the identification of pupils who will benefit from extra practice in reading aloud and who will be aided by a boost to their self-esteem which identification with the Buddy Club inevitably brings.

Buddies meet in pairs for fifteen minutes, twice a week, during the school day to read aloud, discuss text and play word games. I supervise and am available throughout each session to answer queries or reorganise pairs in the case of absences. A panel of our more experienced Buddies is available at the end of each session to discuss with any individual Buddy any problem which may have arisen during the session.

Once a week I meet with all the Big Buddies. This is an opportunity for me to monitor difficulties, check on progress, listen to Buddies' self-assessment of their work and give praise and encouragement.

Big Buddies are expected to research the school's fire drill and plan a safe exit from their Buddy meeting place. During the year an unannounced fire drill is planned during a Reading Buddy session so that Big Buddies gain a real experience of being responsible for someone else's safety.

The Reading Buddy Club provides the whole school with the opportunity to recognise the interface between the work of support for learning, peer support and team work and to observe the development of self-esteem and confidence in pupils throughout the age groups.