You can’t put a price on some things….

You might remember how worried I was about Master Frugal’s reading and writing at the start of this school year.  He was very behind his friends at school and I know that everyone learns at their own pace and you shouldn’t compare children’s progress but he knew himself that he couldn’t read or write anywhere near as well as his friends and it was beginning to affect his confidence and in turn, his personality.

It was so distressing to see him like this and no matter what I did to try and help him, he just got so frustrated with himself which made it even harder for him to learn and he eventually just stopped trying.  His teacher was lovely but during the first parents night of the term she explained to us that he was behind his classmates and she was concerned about his lack of progress.

Then one day we got a letter from the school offering us a place on a Reading Recovery program which would involve one to one teaching every morning at school for a term and a half.  I was so relieved, we were really lucky to get a place on the program as it costs the school in excess of £1000 for each child that they offer a place to and as a result they can only afford to offer one or two children a place each year. 

From the first day he started the program, there was a definite change in him, he started to feel better about himself and he wanted to learn which I guess is half the battle isn’t it?  The help he was given on a daily basis was amazing and I could never explain to you how proud I was when he sat on my knee and read me a story by himself for the first time – I don’t think I could’ve helped him even if he’d needed it as I could see the page through the tears in my eyes.  There were more tears at the next parent night (it’s OK, I waited till I got home to cry) after his teacher said to me that the progress he had made was a miracle and more agian when we got his end of year school report which was brilliant. 

Tonight was the final parents night of the year at school and his teacher showed me his end of year results which confirmed that he’s now completely caught up with his classmates and is average.  I never thought I’d be so happy to hear one of my children described as average but I had a lump in my throat when I heard what she was saying and writing this, I’m feeling quite teary (again) at the thought of how much happier he is and how much progress he’s made this year. 

The Reading Recovery program has literally changed Master Frugal’s life and that’s not an exaggeration in any way  it’s not just the academic side of it, it’s the fact that he is now a more confident and happy child.  Which is why I can’t believe that the school have now pulled the Reading Recovery program for next year so no other children will benefit the same way that he has.  They just can’t afford to fund it anymore apparently!

I can’t believe that there is money in the economy to pay for ridiculous statues and other similar wastes of money or to spend millions no doubt on this phone hacking investigation (not that I condone the hacking by the way) but there isn’t money for this – something that can improve a child’s life immeasurably.  It’s not fair but I have no clue what I can do about it other than write a letter to the school to explain how much difference the program can make to someone.  I’m just so frustrated and I’m sorry for the waffle – I can’t seem to put into words how strongly I feel.

I’m off to write a letter to the school now if I can manage to get my feelings across in a coherent way