Five sixth-formers are giving something back by helping children learn to read.

Robert Clack students Nathan Thwaites, Connor Williamson, Lewis Holmes, Jessica Bosworth and Miller Lane-Williams volunteer their time to help younger pupils who have fallen behind.

The ReadUp project, organised by children’s charity Beanstalk, involves them visiting William Bellamy, Richard Alibon, Grafton, Valence and Hunters Hall primaries, where each volunteer gives two pupils half an hour of one-to-one support to boost their literacy skills.

The sixth-formers took part in a Q&A about the project at the central London offices of global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, which supports Beanstalk, on Tuesday last week.

Lewis Holmes, 16, said ReadUp was “an amazing experience”.

“It has not only given me something to work towards but has given me the incredible challenge of trying to help a child just like myself when I was that age,” he said.

Steve Hawe, director of communications at Beanstalk, said the ReadUp programm was “a win-win situation for everyone involved” as it helps the younger children learn to read while also offering sixth-formers the chance to develop their skills.

To find out more and get involved, visit beanstalkcharity.org.uk/readup or call 020 7749 7965.