Reading project helps children affected by pandemic

A reading programme set up to help primary school children in Hastings most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic has helped boost pupils’ reading frequency and enjoyment, a report has found.

The LitUp initiative was created to tackle literacy challenges in East Sussex, where nine areas rank among the most vulnerable to literacy struggles in England.

In 2022, when LitUp was introduced, 28% of 11-year-olds in East Sussex left school unable to read at the level expected – a figure worse than the national average (25%).

But results now show that children’s reading frequency has significantly increased, with more than half (54%) progressing from rarely picking up a book in their free time to reading at least once a week.

The programme began by focusing on children in years 3 and 4, and in its second year, followed the same cohort into years 4 and 5.

Over a two-year period, pupils took part in numerous author visits and parent/carer reading sessions.

Following termly school visits from some of Bloomsbury Publishing’s top children’s authors, 79% of children said the visits made them want to read more.

Each author visit engaged more than 800 pupils and more than 12,000 free books and resources were donated over two academic years.

As a result, LitUp has been extended for a third year focusing on the same children, who are now in years 5 and 6.

The report also found that 65% of children who lacked confidence in their reading abilities before LitUp now described themselves as ‘very good’ or ‘good’ readers.

Nicki Duckett, a teacher at Silverdale Primary Academy in St Leonards, which has taken part in the programme from the start, said the scheme had helped boost literacy levels.

“The author visits in particular were so exciting for our pupils. They provided our children with the opportunity to meet authors, which would not have been possible without the project,” she said.

Alice Birdwood, of the National Literacy Trust, said the programme provided a “a hands-on approach” to learning.

“Rather than simply donating books – which is massively appreciated by the schools we work with – the LitUp project offers holistic support to teachers, pupils and families,” she added.

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