New initiative to get families reading
Friday, 5th February 2010.
An injection of £40,000 Government cash is to be given to Suffolk to promote reading within families.
During last week's Suffolk READS (Read, Enjoy, Achieve, Discover, Succeed) conference, Jonathan Douglas, director of the National Literacy Trust, announced the county is to benefit from Government funding to promote and literacy within the home.
Suffolk County Council is one of five new authorities to receive £40,000 from Department of Schools, Children and Families, to appoint a Partners in Literacy (PiL) co-ordinator for 2010/2011.
The post will focus on family reading in the home and supporting parents to support their children. They will also be an advocate for promoting literacy as a priority within the local authority and partner organisations in the county.
In conjunction with the National Literacy Trust, the co-coordinator will also contribute to the understanding and development of a national model to support literacy in the home.
The Partners in Literacy work combines perfectly with the Suffolk READS agenda and work to support families to get engaged in the home with developing their children’s communication skills.
Cllr Rosemary Clarke, Suffolk County Council’s portfolio holder for sport, culture, diversity, health and wellbeing said: “We know parents want to do the best for their children.
"However, some may not realise that parental involvement in reading has a stronger influence on children’s achievement than many other factors including how wealthy or well-educated their parents are.
"The news of this funding couldn’t come at a better time for us and will be a welcome boost to the Suffolk READS initiative.
"By providing support for parents and families, we aim to help everyone understand the benefits that reading can bring and that not only is it fun and rewarding, but it also has the power to transform lives.”
Cllr Graham Newman, Suffolk County Council’s portfolio holder for children, schools and young people’s services said: "Following the READS conference last week, I am convinced reading is the most important of life’s skills.
"It is crucial parents are made aware how vital it is for their children to get as much help with reading as possible before they enter formal education - it is fundamental to their attainment at school, and indeed their future economic wellbeing.
"We need parents to ensure every child, who needs it, benefits from the support offered by the Partners in Literacy approach."
During last week's Suffolk READS (Read, Enjoy, Achieve, Discover, Succeed) conference, Jonathan Douglas, director of the National Literacy Trust, announced the county is to benefit from Government funding to promote and literacy within the home.
Suffolk County Council is one of five new authorities to receive £40,000 from Department of Schools, Children and Families, to appoint a Partners in Literacy (PiL) co-ordinator for 2010/2011.
The post will focus on family reading in the home and supporting parents to support their children. They will also be an advocate for promoting literacy as a priority within the local authority and partner organisations in the county.
In conjunction with the National Literacy Trust, the co-coordinator will also contribute to the understanding and development of a national model to support literacy in the home.
The Partners in Literacy work combines perfectly with the Suffolk READS agenda and work to support families to get engaged in the home with developing their children’s communication skills.
Cllr Rosemary Clarke, Suffolk County Council’s portfolio holder for sport, culture, diversity, health and wellbeing said: “We know parents want to do the best for their children.
"However, some may not realise that parental involvement in reading has a stronger influence on children’s achievement than many other factors including how wealthy or well-educated their parents are.
"The news of this funding couldn’t come at a better time for us and will be a welcome boost to the Suffolk READS initiative.
"By providing support for parents and families, we aim to help everyone understand the benefits that reading can bring and that not only is it fun and rewarding, but it also has the power to transform lives.”
Cllr Graham Newman, Suffolk County Council’s portfolio holder for children, schools and young people’s services said: "Following the READS conference last week, I am convinced reading is the most important of life’s skills.
"It is crucial parents are made aware how vital it is for their children to get as much help with reading as possible before they enter formal education - it is fundamental to their attainment at school, and indeed their future economic wellbeing.
"We need parents to ensure every child, who needs it, benefits from the support offered by the Partners in Literacy approach."
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