What support do reading mentors receive?

- Training is provided through our online platform 360 Learning- Safeguarding checks are required- Reading mentors are supported by Bookmark staff- The programme operates in schools

Who can volunteer as a reading mentor?

Student reading mentor roles are suitable for students who:- Are aged 14-18- Are studying at school, sixth form or college- Can volunteer weekly during term time- Enjoy reading and working with children

Reading mentors (14 to 18-year-olds)

We work with secondary schools, sixth forms and colleges to help students, aged 14 to 18, volunteer as reading mentors.

Reading mentors support primary school children to build their reading confidence through weekly one-to-one sessions in school or online.

Become a reading mentor partner school

What does being a reading mentor involve?

As a reading mentor in our One-to-one Reading Programme, 14 to 18-year-olds have the opportunity to read with a primary school child who is at risk of falling behind.

Your students will read one‑to‑one with a child aged 5 – 11 from one of our partner primary schools. Mentors deliver 30‑minute sessions once or twice weekly, reading stories and playing literacy‑based games with the same child over a sustained period.

We provide all safeguarding, training and structured resources, making the programme straightforward for schools to run while delivering real impact for children who need extra reading support.

A child choosing a book from a school bookshelf

Register your school’s interest

Interested in becoming a reading mentor partner school? Fill out the form below to register your interest, and a member of the Bookmark team will be in touch.

Please note, this form should only be completed by schools (not students).

Full name

Position

School name

School email address

School postcode

Is your School part of a Multi-Academy Trust? If so, what is the name of the MAT?

How many students do you predict being interested in the volunteering opportunity? We require a minimum of 10 students or 5 if at least one volunteer is using their volunteering as part of their DofE as they will need to compete 1 hour per week. 

Would the students be volunteering as a group at the same time, or individually at times aligned with their own timetable?

As a group

Individually

What would be the preferred time of the sessions? (Time/Day)

When would you like the students to start volunteering? For your information, the onboarding timeline takes a maximum 3 weeks. 

Please specify

How we will use your information

Bookmark Reading Charity will only use your data to communicate with you about your application and interest in the charity. We will not pass on your details to any third parties.

Select this box to receive updates and marketing. You can change your preferences at any time.

Why become a reading mentor?

Becoming a reading mentor is not only a rewarding experience, it’s also a great way to strengthen your CV and make your UCAS application stand out.

It gives students hands‑on experience working with children, and the volunteering hours can count towards your International Baccalaureate (IB) creativity, activity, service (CAS) requirements and also fulfil the “volunteering” section of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Please note, to meet Duke of Edinburgh’s Award criteria, students will need to volunteer for at least one hour per week – two back‑to‑back 30‑minute sessions – for a minimum of three months (Bronze), six months (Silver) or 12 months (Gold).

When I started off, I wasn't really sure how to properly communicate with my reader... but towards the end I feel like I've developed skills and I've been able to communicate with them better and help them learn better as well.

Reading mentor, St Georges Weybridge

As a reading mentor, 14 to 18-year-old volunteers will:

Support children to develop the reading skills they need to progress at school and in life
Build self‑confidence for themselves and the children they read with
Develop planning and delivery skills by choosing and using reading resources
Make a positive contribution, with 92% of our volunteers feeling they’ve positively impacted a child

Six benefits of becoming a student volunteer with Bookmark

Learn more about our Reading Mentor Programme and the benefits of volunteering for 14 to 18-year-old students.

Become a reading mentor partner school

The Reading Mentor Programme gave my personal statement a boost which set it apart from the average applicant for UCAS - volunteering is really helpful and definitely gives that lift to any application.

Reading mentor, St George's Weybridge

Become a Duke of Edinburgh volunteer

As an AAP for Duke of Edinburgh, you can complete your DofE Award by volunteering with Bookmark, offering young people a meaningful way to give back and grow.

A Bookmark volunteer and child reading together in a school library

Safeguarding

Ensuring the safety of children and volunteers is at the very heart of what we do. You can find our safeguarding, safer recruitment and other policies relating to volunteering here.

Safeguarding Policies

Our policies related to safeguarding at Bookmark Reading Charity.

Reading mentor partner schools

We’re proud to have partnered with schools across England as part of our reading mentorship offering

Register your interest in becoming a reading mentor school

Interested in volunteering opportunities for your students? Fill out the form below register your interest, and a member of the Bookmark team will be in touch.

Please note, this form should only be completed by schools and not reading mentors directly.