The Newport Literacy Project aims to reach people of all ages within the community rather than just the school population. Started in 1996 with the support of the local Training and Enterprise Council, the project works in partnership with a wide range of community organisations and businesses, but has also pulled together the work of a number of council services. Underpinning and directing the project has been an all-encompassing literacy strategy, incorporating language development and literacy skills, firmly placed as a key priority within the Education Strategic Plan.

The reading bug is encouraged early with the Bookstart scheme providing, through health visitors, information packs and a free book to babies at six to eight months. The offer of a second free book when the babies join their local library provides the link to the library service and the book borrowing habit. From September 1999 sponsorship by Sainsbury's supermarkets enabled the scheme to be developed and extended.

A Parent Partnership programme, run through the authority's Early Years Partnership in nursery schools and Welsh language playgroups, offers parents and carers the chance to be involved in their children's learning, in partnership with teachers. The programme gives practical advice and suggestions for ways to encourage early literacy and numeracy skills through play.
By the time children start school in Newport we hope that they will already have developed a love of books. For some, however, the Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) scheme may offer them their first chance to choose and own books. Supported by a number of local firms the scheme offers every child in a reception class in Newport the chance to choose three books to own and keep at no cost to them or their families. Our literacy librarian works closely with schools to encourage parental participation in the book selection process where the emphasis is on fun. Throughout the town libraries also run summer reading games for pupils of all ages.
 
 

Newport Literacy Project impact  414 babies joined the library as a direct result of Bookstart  28 schools have provided family learning opportunities   3,500 pupils have participated in summer reading games  5,500 children have received a total of over 16, 000 free books through RIF, UK  160 Year 7 pupils have received intensive literacy tuition through Literacy Acceleration  Enrolment on Adult Basic Skills courses increased by 800%

 

Adults learn with their children in family learning schemes and local businesses send staff to be trained as reading helpers in schools, sometimes offering them time out of the workplace to support reading groups in local schools. Close links with adult education and the youth service ensure that help is available to everyone who needs it.

'Catch up' programmes are also an important part of the strategy. Reading Recovery targets the tail of underachievement by tackling issues for the lowest achieving six- year-olds and our Fast Forward schemes target specific pupils early in their secondary school careers to bring their literacy standards in line with their peers.

All of this requires close monitoring and evaluation to help ensure that resources are targeted and directed. A comprehensive assessment programme and participation in the Basic Skills Agency Quality Mark scheme ensure that school development planning is strategic and coherent.

We believe that celebrating achievement is the key to continuing success, building confidence and self-esteem. Project initiatives each celebrate in different ways: family literacy groups meet for an annual teddy bears' picnic and pupils involvement in the summer reading game is rewarded with prizes and certificates when they return to school. The town's annual literacy festival Spread the Word offers a unique opportunity for people from all walks of life to take part in literacy based activities.

Newport's director of education Graham Bingham says: "We have developed a national reputation for our literacy programme. The scope of what we are doing compares well with anything else happening in Wales or England. Our proactive response to the challenge of raising standards of literacy recognises the need for partnerships and shared commitment across the whole community."
 

For more information on the Newport literacy project call 01633 232309.

 
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