M is in year 10 at Southfield School, Wokingham. He has a history of behavioural and emotional difficulties and is a very reluctant learner, reader and writer. This is mainly due to low confidence in his own ability. He attended Rapid English for four sessions with Chris Hinsley. Since embarking on the RE programme JM has become motivated to write stories and to adjust his style of writing to make him more comfortable and confident. JM has attended all sessions of RE. JM has verbalised his pleasure at leaning with Chris and has discussed the sessions with a smile on his face. He asked to continue the RE sessions for as long as he can. This is a major swing in JM's attitude. In our experience Rapid English has hooked J and he is learning fast.

Nick Harvey

I think Rapid English is a fantastic program. I use it with my students every day and they always respond positively to it. I have seen over 250 students at the Reading Youth Offending Team. I have recently been asked to look at what has happened to our students since they stopped working with us. A bit of digging and several phone calls later I am pleased to say that of last years students over 70% are now engaged in either education or a job. Considering that we mainly work with the youngsters that were not in education or employment when they started that is a really positive outcome. I really enjoy my role with the YOS students. I love being able to help somebody pursue a certain path when previously their literacy skills were preventing them. It is particularly rewarding when them gaining some direction keeps them from committing further offences.

Chris Hinsley

After detailed research our organisation decided to buy the Rapid English licence to use with our clients. We felt that it was the right programme to use to support YP who had very low levels of literacy and those that needed an interactive programme to up date their skills and improve their communication and literacy skills. We have found the programme to be excellent and the YP are engaging well. It is still early days for our organisation so we have yet to have produce the data to support our findings. We do however have some excellent case studies which indicate that this programme is making the difference for YP who have previously never engaged in education and have low literacy levels. We hope that our work will re-engage our clients with education and increase their confidence in their own abilities. So far delivery shows us that these goals are realistic and the YP who have completed or currently completing the course have postively engaged with mainstream education and training.

Jane Barber

Rapid English has made a huge difference to the way our young people respond to education. Many of them come to us unable to read even the most basic words. Yet, within just a few lessons we find that they begin to read, write and speak, surprising even themselves. This has enabled many of out young people to get into jobs or onto further education courses which were previously beyond reach.

Mark Whitehead - Reading Youth Offending Service