The NRC is delivered by the NLT on behalf of the DCSF
|
 |
BBC Skillswise has created new resources to help with money, web and workplace
knowledge. Visit the site www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise
for more information.
Gateshead Libraries' Reading the Rails project linked with local transport
provider NEXUS provides an interesting model for replication elsewhere
and demonstrates the mutual benefits of a link with local business.
Reading the Rails involved 120 9 to 10-year-olds from six schools on an
exploratory journey to the airport, fulfilling the 'reading for purpose'
element for the National Curriculum and satisfying NEXUS' objective of
combatting vandalism.
Suffolk EBP won a prestigious international Global Best Award for its Reading
Together project. One of only six in the world, the award was presented
by the Conference Board of Canada and the International Partnerships Network
for educational business partnerships that are making a difference. The
project linked pupils, parents and teachers through reading activities based
on the East Anglian Daily Times in collaboration with Eastern Counties Newspapers.
Over four years more than 3,000 children and their parents were involved
in the six-week project, resulting in 79% of children improving their reading
ages with increases ranging from four months to two years. The project
includes introductory sessions for teachers and parents and activities and
curriculum-related materials for parents and children and culminates in
a visit to the newspaper to inspire children to create their own publication.
Words at Work initiated by Sandwell EBP with NYR funding developed a model
for links between businesses and schools. Teachers were sent on five-day
placements in local businesses including the Express and Star, West Bromwich
Albion and the Quality Hotel where they took the opportunity to produce
literacy materials for use back in their schools. Business colleagues
visited the schools and pupils had a behind-the-scenes look at local businesses.
Working with Swindon EBP, WHSmith Head Office in Swindon extended its Ready
Steady Read Aloud volunteering scheme with local schools following enthusiastic
feedback from volunteers and children. Thirty employees have been
visiting primary schools weekly to work with small groups either at lunchtime
or on their way to work, listening to reading, playing word games and talking
about different reading materials.
The London Libraries Development Agency working with Arts & Business
London and library development agency The Reading Partnership on Books
and Business. Originally the pilot programme was supported by
a grant of £24,000 from the DCMS/Wolfson Public Libraries Challenge
Fund 2000 designed to build stronger relationships between libraries and
business in support of reader development. The project held its first
seminar to showcase business partnerships for librarians at the Globe Theatre
in late September 2000. By providing training and advice for librarians
and making the reader development case to businesses, the scheme aimed to
increase understanding of how to form mutually beneficial partnerships.
The scheme has now been awarded further funding (£82,490) from the
DCMS/Wolfson fund 2001 to develop the original London pilot and expand the
project into West Sussex. Books and Business 2 is also rolling out
a national support programme of training, advocacy and case studies to equip
librarians with the tools to target and work successfully with the business
sector on workplace reader development initiatives. These will help libraries
to access increased funding, new audiences, business advice and skills,
and a raised profile in the corporate sector for reader development work
and its benefits.
|
|
|
|
80px.gif)
