Literacy news
Top authors join our commission on boys’ reading
16 May 2012
Writers Anthony Horowitz and Michael Rosen were part of a group of expert witnesses at the House of Commons yesterday for our 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 spend less time reading outside of school.
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 including representatives from UKLA, Oxford University Press, Working with Men, the National Foundation for Educational Research, The Reading Agency, Every Child a Chance Trust, Dyslexia Action and Ofsted.
The final report of the commission will recommend key policies for schools, libraries and local areas and suggest approaches that should be supported and expanded across the country.
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.
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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.
For more information please click here. Please email your feedback to boys@literacytrust.org.uk by 12 noon on the 28 May.
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