26 local primary schools have signed a 10 point pledge to prioritise literacy across the curriculum and in the school setting.
Prior to lockdown, Doncaster Stories joined a breakfast conference with Headteachers from across the town where 26 local schools committed to making a literacy a priority in their schools.
The Doncaster Stories Reading Pledge commits schools to 10 actions that put reading at the heart of school strategy, community engagement, and in the classroom. The commitments include maximising National Literacy Trust membership to inform school strategy, regularly reminding parents of the importance of reading and the home learning environment, promoting the Summer Reading Challenge in partnership with Doncaster Libraries, and identifying a school governor who will have a special responsibility for reading provisions.
We acknowledge that every schools has its own strengths and challenges and this is recognised in the various steps. For example, ‘promote reading for pleasure’ could incorporate a range of initiatives and partners, allowing schools to build something bespoke.
Signing the pledge represents a shared commitment between Doncaster Stories, its partners and Doncaster schools in tackling low literacy in 2020 and beyond. It is also a recognition that change can only occur when we all commit to make it.
Through this engagement we will identify, share and celebrate good practice across Doncaster schools, as well as supporting settings in areas which have been prioritised as needing development. Schools will also have access to resources, support and professional development through National Literacy Trust membership.
If your school would like to sign the pledge please email doncasterstories@literacytrust.org.uk
"We’re delighted that 26 schools committed to signing the pledge in just one day. Doncaster Stories has become a recognisable campaign across the community since we launched less than six months ago, and we’re starting to make a real difference. However, we need more of the Doncaster’s 100 primary schools to sign up to the pledge to maximise impact and embed positive attitudes toward reading in the town.”
Mike Leyland, Project Manager for Doncaster Stories