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.

“I would like to pass on my thanks for this fantastic helpful system.  My daughter aged 9, has dyslexia and although very bright has struggled with reading and spelling.  This book has been a brilliant aid for us to work through together - the improvement has been great.  We started it together on the 24th July 2011 and will finish it together by the end of January.  She has been amazing how she has stuck at it and been determined to succeed.  I am very proud of her.  May I thank you once again for all your efforts to assist children with difficulties to read more fluently and for the aid for parents to be able to support effectively”

Moira R. – parent, U.K. Jan 2012

“I wanted to let you and Keda know that I have been to Jessica's parents evening this week at school.   It was a very positive meeting... her teacher can not believe her reading progress!!!!!!!

I'm not keen on schools tests for children but I do feel it's necessary to measure progress. Jessica has recently completed a reading test that relates reading ability to age. (She had done the same test 12 months ago). The results show she has gained 4.5 years in reading age in 1 year!!! and is now 3 months ahead of her age!!!   Her teacher did question the test results as he has never seen such a big improvement.

 I am very proud, as you can imagine...and it's all due to Toe by Toe.  I can not thank you enough for this 'magic' book, it has turned my daughter’s life around, she is now gaining confidence in all areas of her life and loves reading!!!  Please pass on my e-mail address to anyone who wants to hear from someone who has 'been there and done that' and I will gladly tell them our experiences and fantastic results"

Pam Williams, Parent U.K. – Nov. 2011

“I thought I would update you on my daughter’s progress.  She is only 6 and started the programme earlier this year, in April.  She is now top of her class at reading and can read almost everything – even the newspaper.  We are on page 189 of the programme and my only problem is trying to slow down the pace as she is reading words perfectly that she does not recognise or understand.  Lots of other children and the teachers at her school are now using Toe by Toe.  She was awarded student of the month at her school for her incredible progress.  She has progressed in just six months from a child who was suffering from a very significant loss of confidence because she was so far behind and distressed and was unable to participate in school - to a child who is happy, confident and brimming with eagerness to go to school and learn.  I believe the very early intervention with Toe by Toe was so vital.  I would hate to think where we would be now if she had not started on the programme.  It is certainly working exceptionally well for her.  Thank you for the programme and the help.”

Bridget (parent) Ireland– Nov 2011

"My son who is 12 years old started the Toe by Toe reading scheme in July of this year. Prior to this he had been tested and was 2 years behind his chronological reading age.  He was re-tested in early September and was 8 months ahead of his chronological age.  He has maintained this being tested again last week.  I have also used Stareway to Spelling and again his spelling has gone from 36 months behind to reaching his chronological age.  I and my son are thrilled with the results as are his resource teachers.  I just wanted to thank you for providing this service and how important it is for confidence building in children.  We are now ready to start the Stride Ahead programme" 

Parent, Waterford, Ireland. Nov 2011

“We have found your "little red book" to have a really big impact!”

Renee Gordon – home educating mum, South Africa, Nov 2011

“I have, at the age of seventy four, decided to do something about my spelling difficulties, as I had never learn how to spell at school, but could read a simple text.  I tried the local colleges for a year or so, but began to feel I was not quite getting the right tuition for me, and that I needed to start at the beginning with the basics.  I looked around for a local suitable tutor.  I then remembered seeing a website about the Toe by Toe reading book I had heard about from a tutor at Lewes South Downs College.  I was encouraged to telephone a private tutor, Sarah Earl, and ask for details.  After our initial meeting, Sarah & I agreed on weekly lessons.  I started my lessons last December 2010, and decided that I knew very little about phonics and the early building blocks of our quirky language, I have made slow but steady progress over the last nine months, I have found it to be interesting and challenging, and I am enjoying the whole experience of discovery, that Toe by Toe has given me, I am now moving on to Stareway To Spelling”

Paul, W. Sussex (Oct 2011) – 74 years old and fully engaged in lifelong learning

“I also want to tell you about what happened to my husband Paul at work last week.  He has lots of new students starting at this time of year, and one of them had put down on his form that he suffered with dyslexia. Paul went to talk to him so that he could put the necessary support into place for him, but the lad said 'Oh I don't need any extra help, I have overcome my dyslexia'.  Paul asked how he had done this and he said by doing Toe by Toe and reading lots...”

Anna B. – parent, U.K. Sep 2011

 

“…At the time I was using Toe by Toe with my then 10-year old daughter who has Down's Syndrome.  She is now 18 years old and I wanted to let you know that her literacy skills are amazing for someone of her ability.  She loves reading, she loves writing, is able to express herself well with a wide range of vocabulary, uses figurative language and manages the idiosyncrasies of the English language well.  Her spelling skills are more than reasonable and anything she doesn't know she has a good attempt at.  She has developed into a confident young woman who has great aspirations for her life - her father and I are extremely proud of her.  A part of her success is due to your scheme and I wanted to say a sincere thank you”

Kim – parent of a child with Down’s Syndrome, U.K. Sept 2011

“As you will see our son has done very well with all your materials.  It has taken us approx 15 months to complete them.  Now he is making good progress at school, especially in reading and comprehension.  Please let Keda know.  He has made 3 years’ progress in one in reading and comprehension and a year’s progress in writing. 

 

We have come across a local private all age school using your materials in a big way.  We are hoping that he can go there for secondary school.  This year one of their former Toe by Toe students achieved a 1st class Hons degree in Business Studies from Warwick University. 

 

You have produced something very exceptional and we still feel blown away by the impact it has had for our son.  Thank you”

Sally C. – parent, U.K. Aug 2011

 

“Good morning.  I am so very impressed with your Toe by Toe programme.  My additional needs pupil with a diagnosis of ADHD at the age of 11 has a reading age of 7.5.  We started quite recently on 7th June and already the improvement in his ability to blend and read is remarkable….  I have to share with you a very special moment.  Last week, whilst with me, he managed to read a whole sentence from his reading book without stopping.  He looked up at me with true happiness in his new ability.  His self esteem has improved already.”

 

T.R. – Teacher, U.K. – June 2011

“I am a 12-year old boy who has just completed Toe by Toe.  When my teacher first showed me your little red book I did not feel over the moon about doing it…. I dreaded hearing those words – ‘now for 15 minutes of Toe by Toe.’   However, over the next few months, I realised how reading was getting so much easier even though the words were getting a lot harder.  Now that I have finished the programme, I feel so much more confident at reading.  I want to thank you for your magical red book.  It was a miracle for me!”

Dean (12 years old), Co Monaghan, Ireland - June 2011

“Keda is obviously a truly inspiring woman.  Thank goodness she saw what she assumed initially to be her own lack of teaching skill and persevered to get to the bottom of it all, and what a fantastic achievement, first for her own school’s children, and now worldwide for kids and given-up-on adults alike.  WOW!!!!”

Carlie - Andover - June 2011

“The book has been brilliant for improving this adult student’s confidence in reading and his understanding of how words are made up.  Thank you for making available such a thorough and well-structured book.  I feel I have also learned a lot about the English language in the process as well”

Jennifer C. – adult literacy tutor - June 2011

“Dear Keda,

When I was 10 years old my mother was advised to go through Toe by Toe.  They had told her at my primary school that all I would be good for was working at the pick & mix at Woolworths…..  I studied Textile Craft at university taking a sandwich year out in Finland where I learnt the basic language and how to make textiles traditionally.  I came back to finish my degree gaining a 2:1 BA Hons specialising in Rug Tufting and Felt Making.  Thank you for being such an important chapter in my life”

  Emily T. – Market Harborough, Leics, May 2011

"My daughter learnt to read using Toe by Toe, it was like the right key turning the lock for her, can't recommend this enough!  Watching Secret Millionaire, and remembered how successful this scheme is…”

Rachel W.  Dyslexia and the "Toe By Toe" manual's Facebook Page - May 2011

“You say you want to know what we thought ....  our eldest was diagnosed by an educational psychologist as ‘dyslexic’ at age 6 (and didn't know his letters then) went through Toe by Toe and now at 10 has just read Harry Potter 5 (all 776 pages of it) to himself. Not yet so good at writing down his thoughts although verbal expression is fine ...  We're about to do Stride Ahead ...  Thank you”

Sally A. – parent, U.K. Jan 2011

 

"Thank you for all your help in making 'toe by toe', it helped me to read better and faster. I feel that I am better and more confident to read more books because of you.  It has helped me in school a lot in English and subjects that I need to read. This has helped me read more books because I can read faster and better. Thank you for all your help and support in making me have more confidence in reading"     

D.D. - age 14, January 2011

“I am e-mailing just to let you know our son has completed the Stareway to Spelling manual.  We started this with him at home in September last year as we were delighted with the progress he had made on the Toe by Toe programme.  The Stareway to Spelling has had the same positive impact on Josh's learning as the Toe by Toe and again both at home and school we are very pleased with the achievements he has made... Thank you so much for this valuable resource.”

E.R. - parent, West Midlands, U.K. - Jan 2011

“I have been a great fan of your publications since I used Toe by Toe to teach my son of 9 how to read when all the schools' special needs teachers failed.  I contacted Keda at the time (4 years ago) and told her that my son had improved 40 months in 7 weeks doing it every day.  Since then, I have recommended Toe by Toe to every parent I know, and my son's private tutor nearly fainted when she saw the progress he made with me.”

Joyce S. - Parent, Northern Ireland, Dec 2010

"Hi - Just wanted to let you know that my 7 year and 1 month old son has just completed your book – he started Feb 28th 2010 and finished today! He is now reading.  Thank you - the book is simply amazing!"

                                                                                              Vicki - parent, U.K.  Nov 2010

“Dear Keda and Kelsey,

Just a note to say many, many thanks for all your time and hard work with Alex.  He is a different boy to the one who arrived, unable to read and embarrassed by it.  His confidence has grown and he has been liberated by Toe by Toe…  We all appreciate all you have done for him and I know Alex is truly pleased with his success”

Alex was personally taught by Keda & Kelsey using TBT & Stride Ahead - October 2010

"I am a teacher and I ordered Toe by Toe to use at home with my son, Benjamin, and - I have to say - it has transformed our lives..."                                                                                           Parent, Basingstoke - October 2010

 Dear Keda

 Just to let you know that we have had 100% success with your ingenious and foolproof literacy programme. Every child has succeeded in raising

-          their literacy levels,

-          their ability to cope with the reading demands of every subject across the curriculum

-          and most importantly their self esteem self belief and confidence

all pupils who went through the programme succeeded in gaining 5+ GCSE grades and no doubt some will go on to A Level and university

We have just ordered 10 more copies of the book in the full knowledge that the 10 pupils who use this programme will have similar success. Our dedicated Learning Support Assistants fully believe in the success of this programme and they attribute much of their work satisfaction to the success of the programme.

Thanks Keda - your book is a God-send

Brenda Banks, SENCO - St Mary's College, N Ireland

“When I came to retire, 175 children had completed their Toe by Toe manuals.  Hundreds more have had input (20 on at the moment) and some took their books on to Army College and F.E. Colleges – totally amazing.”

Bryn Clarkson, recently retired from Eston Park School, Middlesborough – Aug 2010

Dear Mrs Cowling,

I am writing to you because you have helped me understand the beautiful world of reading.

I have made lots of amazing progress since you made this program.  I’m so happy because I was not sure if this was going to work because I have tried lots of things.  You are like a hero to me because this seems very hard for me to get this far.  I am just a bit annoyed that I didn’t find this out a while ago.  I hope this program stays around for a very long time.  I think it’s very important - that reading should be done all over the U.K, Once again thanks a lot.  For your program it’s helped, me and other people.  It will always be in my heart.  Yours sincerely

Charlie Riley, Grove Hill F.E. Centre, Ventnor, Isle of Wight – March 2010

“Dear Keda,

My son has gone through Toe by Toe, Stride Ahead and Stareway to Spelling with excellent results.  In one year his confidence has gone through the roof…”

Margaret C., parent – Co Kerry, Eire, Dec 2009

“Dear Keda,

I am writing to tell you about the success my foster daughter has had with Toe by Toe.  When she came to live with us aged 7, she could only read her name.  18 months later she could still only read about 25 words when someone told me about Toe by Toe.  It took her a year to complete it and along the way it was thrown, ripped, stamped and scribbled on.  However, she always wanted to continue with it as she could see it was working no matter how hard it got.  We are now able to read books together and her confidence has soared.  As well as reading success … because we struggled through the book together, she now trusts me more than before and believes that she can do things with help and perseverance.  Thank you so much from both of us.”

M.E. - foster parent – Kent, Nov 2009

“Dear Toe by Toe,

I used this to teach my 4 year old how to read.  He was reading chapter books at 4.5 years of age.  Granted he was a very motivated learner. He is beyond his years for reading and reads amazing books that are meant for 10 - 12 year olds (he is 7 now).  Thank you for all your help.  I am using it also with my second son, who recently turned 4 (a bit slower with him) but he is enjoying it.  I have recommended your method to everyone I know.  Some parents are reluctant because of the effort involved.  I know 15-20 minutes a day is all I need to get a fluent reader in my household”

Indrani Tomasi - parent, Nov 2009

"Hi Toe by Toe,

...if you need any help in Dublin, explaining to a parent or anything like that please give them my phone number so I can tell them how amazing TBT is.  Please tell Keda my daughter was delighted with the bracelet and proudly wears it to school everyday.  But, even more amazing, yesterday I found her with her head stuck in a book.  Something that would NOT have happened six months ago.  I will be eternally grateful to your Mum for this."

Ann-Marie - Parent and private tutor - Co Dublin, Eire - Oct 2009

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

"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

“As a teacher, I have learnt so much from Toe by Toe and Stride Ahead.  As a parent, I have enjoyed the process and had the enormous satisfaction of watching my child blossom and take pride in her own achievement.  The impact is far reaching.  She has learnt not to give up and that even the most insurmountable problem can probably be overcome with the right ‘tools’, some hard work and a little support.  We can never thank you enough.”

Clare D. – Parent/teacher, Aberdeenshire.  May 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

"Today is a fabulous day. The 5th of February, 2006.  On May 15th, 2001 I started on the first page of Toe by Toe and today I finished. I am very glad that I finished. I went from being a non reader in grade one then to a grade one reader when I was in grade three and now I am a grade 6 reader in grade five.  It has taken me a long time. We had a lot of breaks but we stuck with it. Now I can read words my friends can't like, Philosophy and chiropodist and even my father learnt that he had been mispronouncing a word incorrectly for years... ophthalmic.  Thank you Keda for your wonderful book. We just have to work on my spelling now!"

Max (age 10)  - Canada - Feb 2006

"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!)

"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 Mrs Cowling,

I would like to thank you Mrs Cowling for producing this wonderful book.  My son, Charlie, has completed the Toe by Toe book in just under 18 months and has really enjoyed using it.  His reading in small groups has improved dramatically and his confidence has gone from strength to strength.  My only wish is that he had started the book earlier on in school life but - as they say - best things come to those who wait!,  Using Toe by Toe has given Charlie the courage and confidence to start Stride Ahead. This he really enjoys being able to test himself before I do the final testing.  Again I already sense that Charlie is going to do well with this book as he is eager to start the spelling book as well.  Mrs Cowling you have given Charlie the inspiration he needed to enjoy day to day activities in life (reading and writing).  Looking back, I would never have believed Charlie would be able to read and understand comprehension as he does today - this is due to Toe by Toe and the enjoyment he got from completing each section.  To hear him say "I remember that it was in my Toe by Toe book" show's how much he has really taken in.  Thank you so much.”   

Sharon & Charlie (aged 10) – Darlington, U.K. April 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