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Read On - Write Away! is a Derbyshire community-focused literacy
partnership, now also working in the ex-Coalfields area of
north Nottinghamshire and, increasingly, in other areas of
the UK. Its aims are:
- To make significant improvements in the levels of literacy,
especially of those most disadvantaged by their literacy
skills
- To promote a culture celebrating literacy in all its forms
- To contribute to the economic development of the region
by improving the skills of the current and future workforce
Over the last five years, ROWA! has developed a community
literacy strategy based on a 'cradle to grave' approach and
working closely with local partners. Targeting areas of high
social need, ROWA! works with the key players in local communities
as well as strategic bodies at sub-regional and regional level.
ROWA! includes schools in its community literacy strategy
while emphasising the family as a vehicle for learning. From
an early stage, the emphasis has been on learning as 'a fun
activity' and celebration of achievement at all levels.
The number of people who have benefited from ROWA! activity
has steadily increased. For example, the number of people
involved from areas funded through the Government's Single
Regeneration Budget (SRB) rose from 2,446 in 1997/98 to 23,440
in 2000/01. In the SRB round 5 area alone, in north Nottinghamshire
and north Derbyshire, 250 training weeks were delivered. ROWA!
has worked with over 85% of both primary and secondary schools
in Derbyshire and, since 2000, over 100 Nottinghamshire schools.
A growing number of Ofsted inspection reports cite ROWA! activity
within their reports. ROWA! has worked with over 25 employers
and trades unions and over 300 employees have gained qualifications
and improved their work-related skills.
Parters include Derbyshire Local Education Authority, Derbyshire
Libraries and Heritage, Derby City Council, Derbyshire Learning
and Skills Council, the Basic Skills Agency and the National
Literacy Trust.
ROWA has a board with representatives from each of its partner
organisations, and is run by a Director with a senior management
team of five people. There are 38 full and part time staff
working at ROWA central office in Matlock and various other
bases around Derbyshire.
For more information visit www.rowa.org.uk
or contact ROWA!, County Hall, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3AG
Tel/Fax: 01629 585 603
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