KM reading scheme Buster’s Book Club is backing a child literacy campaign that has revealed thousands of youngsters in Kent are struggling to read with confidence.

The ‘Read On. Get On’ campaign developed by children’s charity Beanstalk is encouraging parents to read with their children for ten minutes a day to boost literacy levels of 11 year olds by 2015.

A recent ‘Read On. Get On’ report found 2,254 pupils in Kent and 527 pupils in Medway left primary school last year unable to read to the required level. Disadvantaged children were the worst affected – almost double the rate of their better off peers - with four in ten not reading well by the age of 11.

Simon Dolby of the Buster’s Book Club literacy scheme said he was delighted that ‘Read On. Get On’ is highlighting the need to take action on this important issue.

He said: “We’re passionate about helping children to get the reading bug so our work directly supports the goals of the ‘Read On. Get On’ campaign.

“Buster’s Book Club provides schools with the tools to get pupils and families excited about books and reading. Grant money is available so interested schools should contact us without delay to find out more.”

Devised by the KM Charity Team, Buster’s Book Club went live to schools Kent-wide this month following a successful pilot that achieved more than half a million minutes of home reading last academic year.

Forty literacy leaders from across the county attended Buster’s Book Club’s official launch at the KM Charity Team Forum earlier this month. They met the scheme’s creators and learned how to make a dramatic impact on reading outcomes.

The scheme is supported by engaging wall charts, badges and resources to reward star readers as well as a series of reading challenge days to win prizes including storyteller visits, book hampers and free entry tickets to Leeds Castle or Silver Blades ice rink.

Key partners of Buster’s Book Club include Kent County Council, Medway Council, The Ernest Cook Trust, Specsavers, Golding Homes, Orbit South, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Mini Babybel and Leeds Castle.

Schools wanting to find out more can visit www.kmcharityteam.co.uk and click on the ‘schools’ tab to find the Buster's Book Club enquiry form. Or contact Simon Dolby at sdolby@thekmgroup.co.uk or call 0844 264 0291.

Beanstalk which was supported last year by the KM Group is calling for volunteers across the county to visit primary schools and help provide one to one assistance for youngsters with reading difficulties.

To find out more about ‘Read On. Get On’, visit www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk/reading-helpers.