The Literacy Pirates
Improving the literacy of young people so that theyâre not left behind
The Literacy Pirates helps children aged 9 to 13 who are falling behind in reading and writing, and facing socio-economic barriers, to catch up with their classmates. Its pirate-themed learning, joyful sessions and real published books make literacy feel like an adventure rather than a chore.
Teachers nominate the children who will benefit most. Young Pirates then join weekly after-school sessions, designed by qualified teachers and led by trained volunteer Crewmates, either in person at the charity’s learning centre in north-east London or online from home, anywhere in the country.
Young Pirates leave with stronger reading and writing, a growing love of books and the belief that they are capable, successful learners. With more confidence and perseverance, they take those skills back into the classroom, giving them a fairer chance to thrive at school and beyond.
2023
Year they joined the Raise Your Hands platform
625
Children and Young People supported last year
Why they’re needed
Literacy shapes almost everything that follows: how a child gets on at school, the jobs they can apply for as a young adult, and how they help their own children learn one day. Without the right support at the right time, early gaps in reading and writing tend to widen rather than close.
In every classroom there are children who are quietly falling behind. Often they face barriers outside school, and their families are not in a position to give extra help at home. As their reading and writing slip further behind their peers, their confidence can fade too, and learning starts to feel like something that is not meant for them.
These children have plenty of potential. What they often need is extra adult attention, a low-pressure space where effort is celebrated, and the chance to see their own progress. The Literacy Pirates focuses on literacy, confidence and perseverance together, because children who read and write with confidence enjoy learning and feel proud of what they achieve.
How they do it
The Literacy Pirates partners with schools across the country. Teachers nominate pupils based on their literacy and the barriers they face, and families register their children. Young Pirates join weekly after-school sessions, online for a term or in person in north-east London, so the programme fits alongside the school day without disrupting it.
Every session is built on two approaches. Reading for Pleasure encourages choice, curiosity and conversation around diverse, engaging books. Everyone a Writer helps children find their voice, improve their writing and create their own stories. Trained volunteers give each child personalised encouragement in small groups, in a relentlessly positive space where effort is always celebrated.
Every Young Pirate’s writing is professionally published, giving them a real book and a lasting sense of achievement. The charity tracks each child’s progress in reading, writing, confidence, perseverance and reading for pleasure, using recognised assessment tools and feedback from teachers and families.
Find out more about The Literacy Pirates’ amazing work
Vadym’s Story
When Vadym joined The Literacy Pirates, he was still building his confidence in reading and writing in English, and he was quiet and reluctant to share in sessions.
With steady encouragement from Volunteer Crewmates and plenty of chances to practise reading aloud, his confidence began to grow. As his reading became more fluent, he contributed more, and he wrote poems and short stories full of rich characters and a strong understanding of emotions. By the end of the programme, he stood up in front of a large group of Young Pirates and their families and read his own writing aloud.
âVadym was incredibly quiet and reluctant to share in sessions when he started, but in a short time his confidence grew and grew,â said one of his Volunteer Crewmates.
Support The Literacy Pirates along with 15 other children’s charities
The Literacy Pirates is one of a portfolio of small UK children’s charities championed by Raise Your Hands. When you donate to us, your gift is shared equally between every charity in the portfolio.
One donation. 16 small charities. 16 ways to change a young life.
