The Shadow
Secretary of State for Education is visiting our National Literacy Trust Hub
in Bradford today. Lucy Powell MP’s visit follows the publication of
encouraging reports on local children’s literacy skills from a survey on the
Hub’s work.
The survey of 1,172
pupils from seven schools in Bradford explored children and young people’s
communication, reading and writing skills. It shows that since the launch of
our Bradford Hub in 2014, pupils enjoy reading more and read and write more
frequently. By the end of October 2015, compared to their peers regionally
and nationally, more of Bradford’s young people aged 8-16 wrote something
daily which is not for school. Also, more children in Bradford agree that if
they are good readers, they will get a better job when they grow up.
Generally,
attitudes towards writing have remained stable, however some perceptions have
changed; for example, fewer pupils see writing as a gendered activity for
girls. These improvements align with the targeted work of the Bradford Hub to
transform attitudes and behaviours towards reading and writing among children
and young people, particularly those of boys and children whose first
language is not English.
Accompanied by
Bradford council’s executive member for education, Councillor Susan
Hinchcliffe, Lucy Powell is visiting St Edmunds Nursery School and Children’s
Centre services to meet some of the Bradford Hub's key partners, along with
families who have benefited from the work. These include staff at the centre
who have worked with the Hub to help fathers take a more active role in their
children’s literacy development and the dads themselves.
Imran Hafeez, the
National Literacy Trust’s Bradford Hub Manager said:
“We are delighted
to see such encouraging results emerging from the National Literacy Trust Hub
in Bradford after its first year of activity. It’s fantastic to have the
support of MP Lucy Powell who will learn how the impact of the targeted
literacy support we have delivered in schools and the community is taking
shape.
Thanks to the
valuable support of Bradford’s schools, children’s centres and partners,
we’ve successfully raised awareness of the importance of literacy and
encouraged reading and writing for enjoyment among Bradford’s young people.
However, there is still a lot of work to be done, as results show that there
is scope for improvement in children’s writing enjoyment, frequency,
confidence and attitudes, particularly for boys.
We are looking
forward to seeing even more positive developments in Bradford’s literacy
levels through our vital work which ensures that literacy support reaches
children and families who need it most.”
Labour’s Shadow
Secretary of State for Education Lucy Powell MP said:
“It’s great to
visit the National Literacy Trust Hub in Bradford and see the joint working
going on between Bradford Council, the National Literacy Trust and partners
to raise the game on literacy. This is a good project getting results and
tackling some of the problems of underachievement in the district. Engaging
parents in Bradford will help drive up standards in schools with the whole community
working together to give children the best start.”
Read
Children and Young People’s Reading in Bradford 2015.
Read
Children and Young People’s Writing in Bradford 2015.
Read
Children and Young People’s Communication Skills in Bradford 2015.