Invitation to tender: Evaluation of Reading Schools 2023/24

The deadline for this opportunity has now passed. This page is for information only.

Scottish Book Trust invites tenders for an evaluation of the Reading Schools programme.

The evaluation will assess what impact, if any, taking part in Reading Schools had on learners, learning professionals and schools and whether there were significant differences in impact for differing contexts and demographic groups. It will also detail which elements of the programme worked well, and make recommendations for improvements.

The final report will be required by September 2024.

The budget available for this evaluation, including VAT and any expenses, is no more than £20,000.

The deadline for tenders is Friday 19 January 2024 at 12noon.

Evaluation aims and questions

The aim of this evaluation is to assess the impact of the Reading Schools programme and gather learning for programme improvement.

The audience for this evaluation will include Scottish Book Trust, Scottish Government, local authorities, schools and learning professionals. 

The questions the evaluation should answer are:

• What impact, if any, did taking part in Reading Schools have on learners?
• What impact, if any, did taking part in Reading Schools have on learning professionals and schools?
• Are there significant differences in impact for differing contexts and demographic groups?
• Which elements of the programme worked well?
• What improvements could be made?

Context and background

The broad aim of Reading Schools is to help schools to build and sustain a positive reading culture and for learners to develop a love of reading. A theory of change with more detailed outcomes has been developed for the programme and this will be shared with the appointee. 

While the evaluation should assess progress against the intended outcomes, it should also be designed in such a way as to capture unintended outcomes. It should also gather process evidence which can be used to inform decisions about the development of the programme.

Scottish Book Trust are administrating ongoing surveys on impact and process so this evaluation should look at other ways to find answers. This might be through workshops, working more closely with a number of selected schools, or other ways to discover more detailed insights into particular impacts of the project.

There is more information about the programme, including the accreditation framework under which schools are assessed, at www.readingschools.scot(this link will open in a new window)

The work

Scottish Book Trust wishes to engage an individual or organisation to undertake this evaluation. The work will involve:

• Providing expert advice to refine the specific brief for the evaluation (including scope and methodology)
• Carrying out research and fieldwork
• Analysing data gathered to make an assessment of impact
• Drawing conclusions in response to the evaluation questions
• Creating a final written report

Scottish Book Trust are keen that a reporting structure be put in place that allows emerging findings from the evaluation to feed into programme development throughout the evaluation period.

Scottish Book Trust will make all gathered data available to the consultant (as far as is possible within data protection guidelines) and support the consultant to contact stakeholders.

Challenges

• There is a wide range of work taking place in Scottish schools to support reading and literacy. Scottish Book Trust asks that applicants include details in their tender as to how they would approach evaluating the impact of Reading Schools given this landscape.
• Reading Schools works across P1 – S6 and the voices of learners are key to the activity in their schools. Scottish Book Trust would like to seek the input of learners into the evaluation. This mechanism needs to be meaningfully designed, appropriate to the age groups and in keeping with the ethos of UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• Learning professionals, schools and local authorities do not always have capacity to participate in evaluation. Scottish Book Trust asks that applicants include details in their tender as to how they would maximise participation in the evaluation and ensure that all voices are represented, not just those most readily able to engage.

Consultant skills and knowledge

Scottish Book Trust wishes to engage a consultant with significant knowledge and experience of:

• The Scottish education sector, including relevant policies and practice
• Carrying out work with schools, teachers, local authorities and children
• Understanding and commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
• Assessing the contribution of a programme to outcomes in an environment where a variety of activities may be having an impact on that outcome.

It is essential that all staff carrying out fieldwork have knowledge and experience of working with schools, teachers, children and local authorities, and hold valid Basic Disclosure Certificates.

Timeline

• 12noon, 19 January 2024: Submission of bids
• 2 February 2024: Interviews with applicants
• 9 February 2024: Selection of consultant
• w/c 19 February 2024: Inception meeting with Scottish Book Trust
• March – June 2024: Fieldwork
• July 2024: Interim report
• September 2024: Final report

Budget

The budget available for this evaluation, including VAT and any expenses, is no more than £20,000.

Submissions

Tenders should be submitted by email to Katherine Wilkinson(this link will open in a new window) by Friday 19 January 2024 at 12noon.

Prior to submission, interested parties can contact Katherine with any questions about the programme, evaluation or tender process.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an online meeting with Scottish Book Trust on 2 February 2024.

Tenders should include:

• The applicant’s proposed focus and approach
• An indication of the extent to which the applicant’s proposal can cover the evaluation aims and questions
• Details of how the applicant will ensure sufficient high-quality evidence is collected to support robust conclusions
• Details of how the applicant will tackle the challenges of the evaluation
• Details of the applicant’s skills, knowledge and experience, including relevant references and testimonials from previous clients
• Details of how the applicant will approach reflecting and including diversity of school populations in the research
• A description of how the work will be carried out within the timescale
• A budget breakdown

Scottish Book Trust

Scottish Book Trust is a national charity that believes books, reading and writing have the power to change lives.

A love of reading inspires creativity, improves employment opportunities, mental health and wellbeing, and is one of the most effective ways to help children escape the poverty cycle.

More information about Scottish Book Trust can be found on our about page, along with a copy of the Annual Review.