Last October, an independent evaluation of the NDC scheme by researchers from Sheffield Hallam University identified a number of "teething difficulties".

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An evaluation published earlier this year reported that children on the scheme made 20 months' progress in just one year, whereas similarly weak readers who received no special help made just five months' progress, and so ended the year even further below the level expected for their age.

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The evaluation of the pilot concluded there was no evidence to suggest the scheme had a negative impact on the behaviour of registered sex offenders and there were no reports of vigilante attacks.

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Pupils involved in England's national school cricket scheme, Chance to Shine, also appeared more confident and motivated, an evaluation of it says.

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