We're currently running two local campaigns to support the development of literacy and family support for reading.
Oxfordshire Reading Campaign
We have been commissioned by Oxfordshire County Council to work with targeted local primary schools and improve standards of reading among Year 2 pupils (aged six and seven). The Oxfordshire Reading Campaign was launched in September 2012.
We are providing a comprehensive package of professional development support and exciting new resources for early reading. The aim is to improve pupils’ reading confidence and enjoyment, increasing attainment levels by 12 per cent over two years.
The campaign includes a volunteering programme to augment existing volunteering work in local schools. It is providing pupils with one-to-one volunteer support, measuring increases in confidence and engagement in reading.
Improving children’s literacy is extremely important as research has highlighted that those with good literacy skills are more likely to have higher self-esteem, better health, better jobs and higher wages than those with poor literacy skills. By fostering a culture of reading and a love of books children will have a better chance of future success.
The scheme has support from Edge Hill University, which is providing professional development support for schools, and from Oxford University Press, which is providing a discount on the chosen intervention programme, Project X CODE.
A website to support the public campaign is available at www.oxfordshirereading.co.uk.
Middlesbrough Reading Campaign
The Middlesbrough Reading Campaign tackles low literacy in an area where children often start school without the spoken language they need to make a success of their education. This gap in achievement continues into adulthood, and in some areas of Middlesbrough 40% of adults have such low literacy levels that everyday life becomes difficult. This compares with just 11% of the UK population who struggle to this extent.
We have been working in partnership with Middlesbrough Council since 2012, supported by funding from the Booker Prize Foundation and the Man Charitable Trust. Bringing together national and local partners, the campaign encompasses a range of exciting projects, activities and events in Middlesbrough to give children and families the literacy skills they need to succeed in everyday life.
Find out more about our development of literacy action hubs. A website to support the public campaign is at www.turningpages.co.uk.
