Oxfordshire Reading Campaign

The Oxfordshire Reading Campaign was launched in September 2012 to improve the standards of reading amongst primary age children in the local area. Oxfordshire County Council has commissioned the National Literacy Trust to work with 81 local primary schools and improve standards of reading of Year 2 pupils (aged six and seven).

We will work to improve reading levels through a comprehensive package of professional development support and exciting new resources for early reading.  The campaign will improve pupils’ reading confidence and enjoyment and the aim is to increase attainment levels by 12 per cent over two years.

The Oxfordshire Reading Campaign will also feature a volunteering programme which will augment existing volunteering work in local schools. This will provide 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 who will be providing professional development support for schools and from Oxford University Press who will be 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.