Minister for Children and Families launches new parental engagement programme in Bradford

Nadhim Zahawi MP, Minister for Children and Families, visited our National Literacy Trust Hub in Bradford today to launch our new parental engagement programme.

As part of the Bradford Opportunity Area, the new ‘Parents as Partners in Learning’ programme will recruit local parent leaders who will inspire other parents to engage in their child’s learning. Through a range of activities, the champions will encourage parental engagement at primary school and share ways to promote literacy development at home.

The National Literacy Trust will deliver the programme in two areas, Keighley and Tong & Bowling, in partnership with Bradford Birth to 19. It is also being facilitated in a third area – Eccleshill & Idle – by the Ravenscliffe Community Organisation.

The Minister chaired the Keighley kick off meeting with parents, teachers, community members and local leaders including Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe - Leader of Bradford Council, John Grogan - MP for Keighley, Anne Marie Canning MBE - Chair of the Bradford Opportunity Area, and Adeeba Malik CBE – Opportunity Area Partnership Board member.

Attendees discussed examples of how parental engagement in learning is currently working well in the area, as well as challenges and opportunities. These conversations will inform the development of the project over the coming weeks, alongside feedback from in-depth focus groups and community consultations.

This work builds on the success of the National Literacy Trust Hub in Bradford, which was launched in 2014 in partnership with Bradford Council and is known locally as Bradford Stories. Over the last year, 51 volunteers were trained as Literacy Champions and have delivered a range of innovative projects to promote reading, writing and talking in their local communities.

Funding to deliver the new parent-focused project has been awarded to the National Literacy Trust as part of the Opportunity Area programme. Bradford is one of 12 areas in England chosen by the Department for Education as opportunity areas. The city will benefit from increased funding to improve social mobility and unlock the potential of England’s young people through education.

Find out more about our work in Bradford.