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Episode 22: Why literacy matters for educational equity with David Savill

In this episode, we met with David Savill from the University of Salford to discuss literacy in the city of Salford

Published:

  • Time to read: 2 minutes

We sat down with David Savill to discuss local educators’ reflections on literacy levels in Salford, and the connection between literacy and educational equity.

In this episode of TutorCast, our co-hosts Sammy Meynell and Chrissie Thwaites were joined by guest David Savill to explore local educators’ reflections on literacy levels in the city of Salford. David is a Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing and Programme Leader for BA (Hons) Creative Writing at the University of Salford.  

He also founded the Northern School of Writing – a collaborative community of staff and students at The University of Salford – which earlier this year hosted the inaugural Salford Literacy Symposium.  

In this podcast episode, David shares insights from a survey of delegates from this symposium, with a focus on declining reading habits, literacy levels and challenges for educators – and how a new literacy network could be a part of the solution.   

Salford Literacy Symposium 

Over 150 local educators attended the event, mostly from primary schools, secondary schools, and colleges. Tutor Trust was delighted to be invited to the Symposium as an exhibitor, showcasing the impact of our programmes (such as reading tuition) which can transform educational outcomes and life chances for young people.  

Our ongoing successful partnership with the university was also introduced at the event in a welcoming address by Vice-Chancellor Nic Beech, who noted the importance of local collaboration for facilitating meaningful change in the community.  

With venues at capacity, the symposium demonstrated the need for evidence-based information about literacy education, and the dissemination of literacy research. Delegates were invited to complete an online survey, and 100% of respondents said they wanted a similar event again, with keynote speakers and national literacy experts.  

Literacy Matters in Salford 

This level of demand for support, resources and insight prompted the creation of the new Salford Literacy Matters Network, an innovative network spearheaded by David to support literacy work in the city of Salford.  

This will be informed by insights from the symposium, and the survey of symposium delegates. In this podcast episode David presents some initial findings and reflections on the survey, including: 

  • how literacy spans across the whole curriculum
  • concerns over reading behaviours in key stages 2 and 3
  • the vision for educational equity and closing the literacy gap
  • collaboration in the community as a way forward 

The network also aligns with existing local and national initiatives, including Salford City Council’s Literacy for Life, our own community-oriented tutoring partnership with the university, and the Department for Education’s National Year of Reading 2026

Listen now to hear more about this initiative to improve literacy, and what matters to local teachers and educators. Find Tutorcast on Spotify (below) or on Podbean

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Credits

This episode was hosted by Chrissie Thwaites and Sammy Meynell, and was edited by Matt Hainsworth and Vicky Sadler.
Headshot of Chrissie Thwaites

Chrissie Thwaites

Strategic Partnerships Coordinator
Headshot of Chrissie Thwaites

Chrissie Thwaites

Strategic Partnerships Coordinator

Chrissie joined the Tutor Trust in October 2024. A graduate of the University of Exeter, she also has a PhD in sociology of religion from the University of Leeds. As well as being committed to accessible and socially impactful research, Chrissie has a keen interest in ensuring people are enabled to realise their potential regardless of socio-economic background; she previously worked in university outreach through a widening participation role, delivering sessions in a low-participation school. 

Her other professional experiences include teaching undergraduates, supporting students with disabilities in their university exams, developing postgraduate researchers' careers provision, fundraising for hardship financial aid, and student wellbeing advocacy. She is keen to apply this background in higher education to make a positive impact within the education sector more broadly.

Chrissie says: “I'm really proud to be working for an organisation that's committed to tackling educational inequality. As Strategic Partnerships Coordinator, I’m keen to establish and develop our partnerships across the north of England - and to get creative about who we partner with and how we might work together. If you'd like to talk about how we could collaborate, I’d love to hear from you!

Sammy Meynell

Project and Programme Manager - Greater Manchester

Sammy Meynell

Project and Programme Manager - Greater Manchester

Sammy joined Tutor Trust in the summer of 2021 as a Secondary English tutor whilst studying for her Master’s degree in Philosophy at the University of Manchester. A couple of weeks after she completed her degree, Sammy began working on a full-time tuition assignment at St Damian’s RC Science College, which was an incredibly fun and rewarding experience. She became a Primary Schools Coordinator in the Greater Manchester team. In February 2024, Sammy moved into the role of Project Lead within the Manchester Schools team, overseeing projects including Transition and Post-16. She is looking forward to playing an active role in diversifying our offer to reach even more children and young people in need of extra support. 

Sammy says: "I have always been passionate about playing a role in minimising educational inequalities. One of my favourite things about my role is the fact I am making a difference to the lives of many young people in my local community who otherwise wouldn’t have access to the extra support Tutor Trust provides. This makes the job extremely fulfilling, and I am proud to be a part of this amazing organisation. I also enjoy working alongside our tutors to help them settle into their roles and boost their engagement, through organising social events and facilitating drop-ins.

"When I’m not coordinating tuition, I enjoy watching football and I co-host my own FC Halifax Town podcast! I also love to read, and I’m currently on the Tutor Trust Book Club committee, where we organise monthly meetings with our fellow office bookworms."

Matt Hainsworth

Tutoring Plus Coordinator

Matt Hainsworth

Tutoring Plus Coordinator

Joining Tutor Trust while at Manchester Metropolitan University, Matt wanted to support his Education Studies degree with relevant and exciting work. After almost three years working as a Primary school tutor across Manchester and graduating from university, Matt loved the culture and ethos of Tutor Trust as well as the satisfaction of the positive impact of his work.  

Matt joined us as a Full-Time Tutor on the Tutoring Plus Team, before moving into the role of coordinator for the team. He has also been involved in the AI tuition pilot.

Matt says"Having joined the Tutor Trust in Autumn 2023, I have been so impressed at the atmosphere within the charity. Everyone is so kind and supportive and carries the charity’s ethos with them in everything they do. Whether working remotely or in the office, there is always a friendly face to help with anything you need, and this is something I remember from my time as a tutor too. 

"I have always felt strongly about the ethos of Tutor Trust and I am so proud to be able to contribute to that further as a Full-Time Tutor while engaging in the many projects, pilot programmes, training, and learning and development sessions that the charity runs."

Vicky has shoulder-length, straight blonde hair and is wearing a black and white chequered t-shirt

Vicky Sadler

Director of Tutor Recruitment and Development
Vicky has shoulder-length, straight blonde hair and is wearing a black and white chequered t-shirt

Vicky Sadler

Director of Tutor Recruitment and Development

Vicky became Director of Tutor Recruitment and Development in May 2024. In this role, Vicky oversees recruitment, onboarding, and initial training of our tutors, as well as managing our calendar of ongoing learning opportunities for tutors throughout the year. She helps to manage our online learning platform and ensure it is stocked full of top-notch tutoring materials and resources to ensure that tutors are thoroughly prepared for their tuition sessions. Vicky also participates in the quality assurance procedures within our organisation, in partnership with the Quality and Impact Team. 

Vicky says: "With more than 18 years of education experience, primarily within Greater Manchester, my journey has been inspired by a deep passion for transforming lives through learning. Starting in Key Stage 2, I honed my skills teaching Y6 in an inner-city Primary School, later taking on leadership roles in Diversity and Inclusion as well as SENCO training, where I championed support systems for vulnerable, SEND, and EAL learners. My diverse experience also includes leadership in Literacy, Art and Design, PE, Assessment, and mentoring students and Newly Qualified Teachers. During my own children's early years, I established an 'Outstanding' rated childcare business with a Forest School ethos, served as a Network Childminder, and organised sensory playgroups at a Stockport Surestart Centre. I further fuelled my passion for Early Years as an Early Years Leader in a Stockport Primary School until 2018 when my family and I embarked upon a two-year international adventure, during which I ventured into online tutoring.

"My enthusiasm for community-driven education equity led me to the Tutor Trust team as a Primary Quality Manager in January 2021. What I truly cherish about my role is the opportunity to empower tutors, leveraging my experience and knowledge to elevate their practice. It's a privilege to facilitate high-quality tuition that genuinely transforms lives and tackles educational inequalities head-on."

Exterior of The University of Salford

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A male tutor delivers reading lessons to two primary pupils

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