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Top authors join commission on boys’ reading
16 May 2012
Writers Anthony Horowitz and Michael Rosen joined a group of expert witnesses at House of Commons yesterday as part of a commission on boys’ reading, a joint venture set up by the All-Party Parliamentary Literacy Group and the National Literacy Trust.
The commission responds to a wealth of research that shows more boys struggle with reading than girls, have poorer attitudes towards reading and they spend less time reading outside of school.
MPs and members of the House of Lords are investigating why boys are falling behind, the scale of the problem in the UK, and how boys’ reading is currently being successfully supported. Commission members include Gavin Barwell MP, and Baroness Rendell (author Ruth Rendell).
Expert witnesses taking part in the evidence session included former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen, children’s author and screenwriter Anthony Horowitz, teachers, academics and family charities. The topics will be discussed with representatives from UKLA, Oxford University Press, Working with Men, National Foundation for Educational Research, The Reading Agency, Every Child a Chance, Dyslexia Action and Ofsted.
The final report of the commission due at the end of June will recommend key policies for schools, libraries and local areas and suggest approaches that should be supported and expanded across the country.
Michael Rosen said:
The stats all show that many boys have trouble with reading but it's not entirely clear why this should be. We should be very careful about making generalisations or mis-interpreting the statistics, and we should be absolutely sure that we're talking about all kinds of reading and not just fiction which, it is true, doesn't seem to interest some boys. I'm looking forward to joining in this discussion and contributing my thoughts on the matter.
Anthony Horowitz said:
The National Literacy Trust findings are really astonishing and need to be addressed. No childhood is complete without reading and without stories...and this has to be equally true for boys as well as girls. I'm pleased to be helping the National Literacy Trust find an approach that works.
Gavin Barwell, MP for Croydon Central and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group and the commission said:
I’m really pleased that we’ve had such a great reaction from expert witnesses. Their input is really valued and will help us formulate the best recommendations to help boys get more engaged and enthusiastic about reading.
Our Director, Jonathan Douglas, said:
The gender gap between boys and girls reading is extremely worrying. Boys with poor reading skills will struggle to succeed at school and throughout life. The Commission aims to make realistic recommendations that will to help improve boys’ reading in the UK.
For more information on the Commission please visit our policy page or contact Media and Public Affairs Officer Jane Woodley on 020 7820 6256 or Jane.Woodley@literacytrust.org.uk
We're holding an open call for evidence from interested parties. Including any schools that have overcome or narrowed a gender gap, as a result of an intervention, initiative or programme; anyone who works closely with families or people working within a wider remit with young people, such as popular culture.
Please email your feedback to boys@literacytrust.org.uk by 12 noon on the 28 May.
