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Feedback If you have comments, suggestions or simply 'good news' that you're happy to share, please send your contribution by completing our feedback form. Thank you.

Dear Keda,

...For two of my pupils it has been a most wonderful experience. Increasing their their reading and overall confidence, as well as discovering the magic of reading.  Thank you for this wonderful work.

Feedback from pupils:
"It was hard. Now I can read new words. I can also pronounce words better."

"It was good. I learned loads of word. A long time ago when I started Toe by Toe, I could not read special words and now I can"

  Boris, Scotland (teacher of children with severe learning difficulties) -  Sep 2009

"Dear Mrs Cowling,

I would like to say a big 'Thank You' for helping me learn to read so well.  I've recently achieved excellent grades which have got me a place at Leeds College of Art.  I will always remember you and how your dedication to helping people helped me to achieve my goals"

Richard, (personally tutored by Keda), Baildon, West Yorkshire, Sep 2009

"Stareway works!  Our Junior School in Bookham, Surrey has been using Stareway for 4 years now.  If anyone in the area wants to see how we work, please get in touch!"

Mrs Harrison, Eastwick Junior School, Bookham, Surrey, July 2009

“Dear Toe by Toe,

I am hoping that your company can send a certificate to my pupil as he has completed Toe by Toe after quite a struggle.  His C.A. is currently 13.2 and measured on the Neale Analysis his reading accuracy is now approximately 10 yrs, Comprehension is 11.6. This is up from 7.11 and 7.9 two and a half years ago. I am so delighted. Thank you so much.”

Sarah Earl (E. Sussex Tutor) – July 2009

"Toe by Toe and Stride Ahead continue to hit the mark with our students and we continue to be extremely grateful"

SENCO at a secondary school in Watford - July 2009

"May I say a huge Thank You to you for your brilliant Toe by Toe book. It is such a wonderful resource and way to teach reading.  I have seen the confidence of my students rise tremendously through using this book"

Carolyn Bennett, St Joseph's N.S., Co Kildare, Ireland - June 2009

"I have been meaning to write to you for some time in praise of your brilliant resources Toe by Toe and Stride Ahead’.  During my career I have used many different resources and I am convinced that using your manuals, in conjunction with some of my own resources and methods, is a foolproof method of not only teaching and developing reading skills, but enhancing literacy skills for pupils of all ages"

Mairi I., Supp. for Learning Teacher, Scottish Highlands - March 2009

"If you have the opportunity to pass on my thanks to Keda please do so. Her incredible hard work and dedication to the task of creating Stride Ahead has given me a tool which has not only allowed me to do my job properly (there does not appear to be a similar program out there for my aged students) but most importantly it has given 17 mainly young men a chance to move from the barely able to cope in this world of text to confidence" 

Jan Johnstone, Telford Rural Polytechnic, New Zealand - May 2009

"At 10 and a half years old my son still could not read fluently or pick up a even a simple chapter book to read by himself.  We have tried different reading courses and then were introduced through a friend to Toe by Toe.  It took about 7 months to get half way through the programme and one day he was opening the mail for me and I had received a card.  Without thinking, he read out the front of the card himself.  I was so surprised I looked up and told him what he had just done - he was reading, by himself, without thinking how hard it was!  I think this gave him a little surprise too!  A little later he came to me and said ‘Thanks, Mum’, ‘For what?’ I replied.  ‘For teaching me to read - I think it's starting to make sense now’."

T.R., parent, New Zealand - May 2009

  "A brilliant programme!"

Angela M. - parent U.K. May 2009

"We have almost come to the end of Toe by Toe. It has taken about 18 months as we were doing it at home for 10mins each day before school. The reason I started it was because my 8 year old son was a weak reader, yet bright. The local school has a very restricted learning support budget so help is thin on the ground. We decided to go it alone and what a transformation! 18 months ago he was struggling with the most basic of blends, but now the words just come naturally and he is choosing to read for enjoyment.  The "red book" has become such a routine now that his younger brother is asking when he'll be able to start it!  Thank you once again."

N. T. - parent, Scotland - March 2009

"I thought I would update you since your last email (below) to let you know how my son is getting on with Toe by Toe.  He has Autistic Spectrum Disorder (Aspergers), moderate dyslexia and dyspraxia.

He started on Toe by Toe at school last July although of course the summer holidays loomed so in essence I am talking about what has happened since September.  He does 4 sessions a week on a one to one with his Teaching Assistant during term time.

Last July an Educational Psychologist reported that his reading age was 35 months behind i.e. almost 3 years and was on the 3rd percentile for his age which was similar to all other scores he had achieved to date.  He has recently had a reading age test at school (which involved comprehension as well).  Although one cannot directly compare and it is only a snapshot of performance on that day, his reading age at 10 years 2 months was now at 9 years 6 months i.e. only 8 months behind, putting him at close to an average percentile.  So he seems to have caught up by 27 months in about 6 or 7 months of study from previously being stuck at about 6.5 years reading age ability.  The only proviso is that he was just helped to keep on focus during the test, but not actually helped in any other way (he finds concentration very difficult on certain days).

Anyway, we are over the moon with this and only wish we could have persuaded the school to start it earlier.  It is so fantastic to see him picking up books at home and reading them independently...he must be one of very few boys who doesn't get scolded if he is caught reading a book under the covers at bedtime (well he does, but secretly we are delighted)!

Many thanks to all the team who have put Toe by Toe together-it has been a lifesaver!"

Helen B - parent, U.K. - Feb 2009

"After working through Toe by Toe, my 8-year old son was transformed, and how proud I was when, completely unprompted, we found him sitting on his bed (now 12) reading Harry Potter (he's now read them all, AND has a good understanding of them) !  He has continued to enjoy reading, and is so much more confident in that regard too"

Tony P. - parent, Feb 2009

"I have been using Toe by Toe with a young student for 18 months and have been extremely impressed by the huge improvement in her reading skills and confidence. I recommend it, wholeheartedly."

Val L. - tutor, Feb 2009

“My daughter, age 11, has been working her way through your manual.  The change in her reading ability and, more important, her self-confidence, have been amazing. She has a long way to go to overcome her dyslexia but now we feel confident in encouraging her in her dream to be a teacher, as there is now hope that she will make it through high school and on to university.  Thanks so much for giving her hope.”

Donna M (parent) – Binnu, Western Australia.  Jan 2009

"I have used Toe by Toe with a student over the last year, and am very impressed with the significant progress he has made.  It has also reassured his parents, and given them something concrete they can do to improve his reading.  The structure makes it so easy to use with more than one tutor, which means that volunteers are able to share the load.  Fantastic!"

Megan - teacher - Wanganui, New Zealand, Jan 2009

"The pupil I work with, originally had a reading age of 5.2 (this was 1 year ago approx) but his reading age now has risen to 10.1 (his actual age is 12.6) at last testing. We still have a few pages left to go in Toe By Toe so I'm hoping this will rise further, particularly if we continue and work through Stride Ahead."

Joy Wake - private tutor, U.K. - Jan 2009

"Dear Keda Cowling & team,

I would like to put into words the immense gratitude I feel towards you for the life time of dedication you have shown to children and adults alike.  You see, you have changed my son’s life.  You have empowered my wonderful, bright, articulate boy.  Before Toe by Toe, he frequently called himself ‘thick’ or ‘idiot’.  You have made him realise he’s pretty darn smart!  Yes, he has dyslexia, but so what…?  He now has the skills to cope.  Everything is achievable….”

Tracey M. - parent – Preston, Lancashire, Jan 2009

“I just wanted to thank you for coming up with such a wonderful reading scheme.  I have been a teacher for 25 years now and it is by far the best scheme I have come across. The reason I have become so involved with this scheme recently is that my youngest daughter, whilst very bright, has found reading amazingly difficult. The Learning Support Department at our school put me onto Toe by Toe and we have followed it religiously. We have been doing it now for about a year and Georgina is eight and a half years old. We are on page 189 so we still have a way to go until we have finished the book.

My eldest daughter who is now 20 who also had reading problems at school and managed to avoid reading books at all costs would also have benefited enormously from this scheme.

My sincere thanks to you both for translating your ideas and experiences into such a fantastic book / tool for those who find reading so difficult.  I of course found reading very easy so was of little help when my own children couldn't read easily since it all seemed so simple to me.  One is never too old to learn!”

Deborah B., parent/teacher, Kenya - Jan 2009

"Dear Keda Cowling,

Thank you so much for writing Toe by Toe. It helped me so much with my writing and reading. Last year (2007-8) I did my SATs and received level 5 (top mark) in English. I did toe by toe in December 2004, and at that time I could only read or write a 3 letter word. I really think Toe by Toe was the thing that lit a fire in m mind saying "you can do this!". Now I am at secondary school and last term in my report I got 85/85 in my test for English is now my favourite subject and I love my English lessons. So thank you so much for writing this book and the help (and confidence) it has given me."

Fergus (aged 11) – Dec 2008

"It helped my son's speech/diction which was all part of his difficulties.  Thank you for helping me to help my son.  If it hadn't been for your scheme, my son may never have read, spoken or written.  He now has several C and above GCSEs..."

Parent/teacher, Castle School, Bristol - Oct 2008

“Hello again Keda.  Our granddaughter has now finished Toe by Toe. We cannot praise the book enough; it has made a huge difference to her reading, spelling and general confidence.”

Carole Shore, Stockport – Sep 2008

"I am a Teaching Assistant in Cheshire and a mum of a dyslexic 18 year old.  I have been delivering the Toe by Toe programme in my school for the past two years.  I have seen children blossom and become confident readers and best of all see them enjoying books because of Toe by Toe. I only wish I had found Toe by Toe when my son was at primary school.  Thank you".

Lorraine Garner T.A. & Parent, Cheshire - Apr 2008

Hats off to Keda Cowling!

“He was lagging in class, under confident and could not read properly.  It caused us to change a couple of schools and eventually it started taking toll on my personal and family life as well.  My wife who used to teach him for school developed high blood pressure as it was SO stressful to teach him ANYTHING expect for computers.  And the knowledge gained from computers was also limited because of his reading problems.

I found Toe by Toe to be so helpful that words can not describe my feelings.  There is no doubt that it is the work of a lifetime of research and hard work.  The changes Toe by Toe has brought to my son’s life are tremendous and unbelievable.  It is like magic.  I expected results but not so soon and so huge.  English is NOT the first language in this country, therefore, it is not spoken in our homes. Toe by Toe has improved his reading skills so well that he has started reading newspaper in English.  It seems that almost all exercises are like keys, opening one door each to the garden of clear reading.

I will summarize by saying that I owe my current happiness and my child’s learning to read English to Keda Cowling.  I wish I could meet her and bow my head in respect in front of her, one day.  My son always asks about her and wants to meet his teacher so much.  Hats off to Keda Cowling!  You are a Mother Teresa for dyslexics…”

Dr Unwar Aswan – Medical doctor and parent, Pakistan - Jan. 2008

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"My son has been working his way through 'toe-by toe' and is almost at the end of the manual.  He is an intelligent child with a vivid imagination, his ambition is to write a book( or ten!).  His frustration was apparent prior to starting this programme and he is again the happy confident child we knew a few years ago.  He is now 10 and preparing for High School.  The purpose of this message is to relay to you his own description of your book:

 "Before toe-by-toe, I was living in a deep dark hole.  Everyone else understood things and I didn't..  When I was given the book, I felt a rope ladder had been thrown down to me.  It didn't have any rungs. I had to build them myself and that has taken time.  Now I feel I'm near the top and I can see daylight.  I feel sorry for anyone stuck at the bottom..."  (see following e-mail from Edward received Oct 2007...)

What can I say but THANK YOU!!!"

Alison Charlton, Parent, Nantwich, Cheshire – Sep. 2001

"You may remember me.  I contacted you several years ago as I finished the toe by toe programme, when I was in year 6 at school.  I just wanted to let you know that I have now completed my GCSE's and gained grades A* - C in 12 subjects! One of which was an 'A' in English.  I want to thank you because I couldn't read at all before 'toe by toe.'  Now I am studying for my A levels, in Law; Eng lit; Government and Politics; Drama &Theatre Studies and Critical Thinking. I am not a fluent reader, certainly not a fluent sight reader and that poses its own problems. However I can read and I hope this is inspiration to others. Once other people stop associating intelligence levels with the ability to read and write (!), those who have SLD will be able to progress through education with confidence."

Edward Charlton - Nantwich (now aged 16!)

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“My daughter has recently completed the Toe-by-Toe programme and I just wanted to say how impressed I have been with the improvement in her confidence and reading.  We rely on our “rules” and she understands she can use them on a day-to-day basis and doesn’t panic when confronted by “scary” words anymore! Thank you!”

Mrs A.T. Parent, Solihull – June 2007

"I first came across your reading scheme when my eldest son, then in Year 12, was a 'buddy' to a Year 7 pupil in his school.  I am a year 6 classroom assistant, and inspired by my son's success decided to try it on a struggling reader who was also suffering from low self esteem and had anger management problems.

 

The change in his reading in just one term has been amazing.  He has gone from someone who had no confidence in his reading and never read for pleasure, to a boy who reads signs to his Mum as they pass, bits out of newspapers... etc.  He is confident in his ability to progress and says his reading is "cool" (praise indeed!).  I have just given him a copy of Anthony Horowitz's 'Stormbreaker' and he is enthusiastic to read it.  If his progress continues, it is no exaggeration to say that you have probably saved his school career as he was sinking fast..."

 

M. H. - Classroom assistant, July 2003

"Dear Keda,

 

...Finally, I must mention, the 'spin-off' benefits from Toe by Toe.  Readers blossom in self-confidence and self-esteem.  One of our Year-10 students who had failed to progress with a number of reading programmes (even those recommended by The Language and Literacy Support Service) has made enormous progress with her reading since joining the Toe by Toe programme.  She has blossomed from a 'sour crab apple' to the most lovely "apple blossom".  Half way through the programme she received the Year-10 achievement award and at the end of the summer term she became a prefect with unanimous support from the colleagues who teach her.

 

Thank you for Toe by Toe.  The only complaint I have about the programme is that I do not know what to do with the readers when they have completed it!  A number carry on to become reading coaches themselves but others lose some structure to their days without their 20 minutes' reading..."

 

Molly Rickwood (SENCO) - Winston Churchill School, Woking, August 1999

“Mrs Cowling,

 I’ve enjoyed Toe by Toe a lot because it has helped me a lot with my reading and my spelling.  My Mum and Dad are glad because of Toe by Toe.  When I first started, I though it was stuped, but now it is cool!”

  Wayne L. – primary school pupil, Milton Keynes, June 1996

"Dear Mrs Cowling,

The Toe by Toe books has helped me a lot even my mum and dad are very pleased with the work that I am doing.  Mrs Gatehouse has invented stars.  The stars mean that every page you have finished the page.”

Joanna T. – primary school pupil, Milton Keynes, June 1996

"The Way I Felt..."

“The first day I saw the book I thought to myself, ‘this is not going to help me’.  At the time I was at the reading age of 9 years old.  When I looked at the first couple of pages my view was that it was easy and giving me this was making me more stupid than I really was.  The beginning of the book was like the work that you do in primary 3 and 4 so I felt very angry and upset.  Then I started the book and it was hard and it took all out of me but I battled on.  I was not going to admit that it was hard because I still thought it was primary work.  As I got into it, I felt it was working.  I was reading more in my own time and I was not scared to pick up a book.  It did get harder but I knew that I was getting better.  The words got harder and the paragraphs got longer and the writing got small but it just made me work harder.  I have finished the book now and it took 5 months.  My reading age was up to 12 and that was before I finished the book.  This book did not just help me to read but it built up my confidence.  Now you can’t stop me from reading and I don’t mind reading in front of anyone.  This book really works.”

L.T. - 15-year old pupil at a high school in Scotland, Dec 1995