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Welcome
This August we ask you to join the literacy debate at the autumn party conferences by attending our fringe events "Rising to the Literacy Challenge" and remind you of our forthcoming conferences for teachers, librarians and other literacy professionals.
NLT Viewpoint
In this month’s viewpoint, Director Jonathan Douglas discusses the National Literacy Trust's priorities under the new government in light of the forthcoming Spending Review. Read more
Literacy at a local level: the impact of cuts, restructures and Big Society
Emily McCoy, Manager of Partners in Literacy, discusses how to ensure that support for literacy is maintained at a local level. Read more
Please feel free to post comments on any of our blogs, we are always glad to have your feedback.
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News |
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We were extremely saddened to learn of the death of our President, founder and former Chairman Sir Simon Hornby this month. Current National Literacy Trust Chairman Amanda Jordan says: “Sir Simon was a visionary man and a true gentleman, whose contribution to the National Literacy Trust and literacy in the UK is felt as much today as it was in 1993. He will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with his family, particularly his wife Sheran and his many friends at this sad time".
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Against a backdrop of public sector cuts and financial restraint, there are high expectations of local authorities. With this in mind, we are hosting a leadership event for Directors of Children's Services and Lead Members for Children and Young People in England that focuses on the value of literacy to local authorities. Please visit our blogs to join the discussion on how we can ensure that support for literacy is maintained at a local level.
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The National Literacy Trust would like to pass on our sincere condolences to CILIP staff and to all Bob's friends and family, following the news of his death. Our Director, Jonathan Douglas, says "Bob's enthusiasm and vision have been a driving force for the development of libraries. His commitment to literacy helped underpin the growth of work in libraries promoting literacy and reading in the past decade. He was a valued colleague and a good friend and we will miss him greatly."
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The last week of July saw a New Statesman and Starbucks Coffee House debate, in association with the National Literacy Trust, take place at Starbucks in Oxford Street. The panel boasted a diverse range of speakers from a variety of sectors including our Director, Jonathan Douglas; author Polly Courtney; headteacher Anita Wright; and journalist for the New Statesman and the Guardian, Nicholas Lezard. The debate addressed growing concerns that literacy standards in reading and writing have plateaued in recent years and raised issues about how we can inspire, support and develop the literacy skills of our future generations. Read more
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We announced this month that Liz Attenborough, Project Manager of Talk To Your Baby, will be leaving the NLT. Director Jonathan Douglas says, “Talk To Your Baby is addressing one of the most significant challenges that society faces – the promotion of early communication, which is the foundation of social skills and of all literacy. Liz’s vision and leadership has meant that the campaign has worked with professionals across the country to successfully take this message to families.”
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Other news in brief
Government to ban use of phrase “Every Child Matters”
The ban on the use of the phrase "Every Child Matters" in the new Government prompts fears of a shift in policy for children and young people.
New teachers in Scotland feel ill-prepared to teach basic literacy
Many new teachers in Scotland feel ill-prepared to teach basic literacy, according to a new report by the HM Inspectorate of Education.
Sats results and teacher assessment scores published
Schools Minister Nick Gibb congratulated thousands of pupils for their hard work as provisional Key Stage 2 test results were published, as well as teacher assessment scores, for Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3.
Government proposes to abolish MLA
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt proposed abolishing the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council "to focus efforts on frontline, essential services and ensure greater value for money," according to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Over a third of children leave state primary schools in London with reading difficulties, says new report
A new report released last month by the Centre for Policy Studies states that London is suffering from an "epidemic of illiteracy".
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Resources, events and inspiration |
Mike Grubb, Vehicle Designer from McLaren Automotive Ltd and Karen Porter, Marketing Communications Manager at Woking Borough Council are volunteers from the pilot run of Words for Work, our speaking and listening project which brings together Year 9 pupils (13 and 14-year-olds) and volunteers from the business community to develop speaking and listening skills for the workplace through a series of creative workshops. They tell us more about their work on the project and the benefits to both the pupils and themselves. Read more
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Claim free Boggle Flash set for your school!
Reading for Life, our social marketing campaign to promote the benefits of reading is proud to be partnering with Hasbro games for the launch of its brand new Boggle Flash game. Boggle Flash is an electronic word game suitable for children aged 8+ where players race against the clock to make as many words as possible from the randomly selected letters generated by the game. Email now
and the first 100 primary schools to get in touch with us a Boggle Flash set of their own to introduce to their class. For more information
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Join the literacy debate at the autumn party conferences 2010
We will have a fringe presence at the political party conferences this autumn. Our fringe events “Rising to the Literacy Challenge” will urge the Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Labour parties to make literacy a priority and bring together a range of high-profile thought leaders from Government, the third sector, think tanks, the media and beyond to discuss how we can best meet the literacy challenge. If you are attending one of the conferences do come and join us. For more details
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Primary school conferences with Pie Corbett
On 24, 25 and 26 November the National Literacy Trust will be re-running the Talk for Writing conferences from this June in York, Birmingham and London respectively. The conferences entitled: "Talking for Learning and Life: Developing 'Talk for Writing' to fulfil potential across the curriculum" are led by the inspirational Pie Corbett and aim to improve school standards through the renowned Talk for Writing approach. The London conference is almost full already, so book early to avoid disappointment. Further details and booking
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Talk To Your Baby conference
Bookings are coming in from all over the UK for Talk To Your Baby’s "Smile, Talk and Listen" conference on Monday 18 October at Church House, Westminster. The conference will feature guest speaker Jean Gross, Communication Champion, as well as a presentation of research about what is happening in baby rooms and Leicester and Devon will be among the authorities sharing their early communication strategies. Find out more information and how to book your place.
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Success story |
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Our National Young Readers’ Programme helps children and young people in areas of disadvantage to acquire the skills they need to develop as a reader, from knowing how to choose a book that engages them, to where they can find books once the project is over.
"For many of the children we are working with, they don't have access to books in their homes. For these children to receive three beautiful books to take home and keep forever is a very positive step forward in fostering a life-long love of reading."
Project Coordinator from a library involved in the project
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