Local schools in need of literacy support, says a report by the National Literacy Trust

Liz McInnes MP is deeply concerned by the findings of the National Literacy Trust

Rochdale has been ranked 41 out of 533 constituencies in the UK for the greatest literary need, a report by the National Literacy Trust and Experian has found.

Middlesbrough was ranked the constituency with the greatest literacy need in the UK, whilst North East Hampshire was ranked with the least literacy need at 533.

Rochdale's position at 41 out of 533 greatest need of literacy support gives the Borough a literacy vulnerability score of 229. This also means Rochdale contains at least one ward with ‘significant literacy need’.

Andrew Wastling said: “It is deeply troubling for all of us that care profoundly about the future of Rochdale that that we are ranked 41st by the latest National Literacy Trust and Experian research identifying the places with the greatest literacy need in every electoral ward and in each parliamentary constituency in England.

“This latest report must surely raise serious questions about the wisdom of making huge cuts of a proposed £16,057,783 in Government funding by 2019/20, across the Borough of Rochdale.

“As reported by Rochdale Online, such cuts will amount to 384 teachers’ jobs threatened and a cut of £495 per pupil affecting each parent and pupil in education across the Town.”

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/107963/schools-in-rochdale-borough-to-lose-%C2%A316million-in-government-funding

The research, based on the National Literacy Trust and Experian's understanding of socioeconomic factors most closely associated with low literacy, includes levels of education, income and unemployment.

The National Literacy Trust said: “Children’s futures will be put in jeopardy if action isn’t taken at a local level to tackle England’s deep-rooted literacy crisis.

“That’s the message coming from a comprehensive new study by the National Literacy Trust and Experian, which reveals that the vast majority of constituencies in England (86%) contain at least one ward with serious literacy issues.”

The report’s authors point out: “MPs were given an information pack containing their constituency’s literacy vulnerability score and analysis of the local factors behind it at a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Literacy on Monday 6 February.

“Every MP in the country has access to a report to help them better understand and respond to the specific literacy challenges in their constituency.”

Mr Wastling continued: “That being the case it would be interesting to know the views of our local Labour Members of Parliament, Liz Mc Innes and Simon Danczuk, especially since Education is one of the Labour's 'priorities'.”

In response, Liz McInnes said: “I am deeply concerned by the findings of this research. Investment in early years’ education, our primary and secondary schools, and access to adult literacy support is absolutely vital.

“This report is a timely reminder of the importance of more investment per pupil, not less, in communities like ours. Like many others, I am therefore gravely concerned about the proposed changes to the school funding formula suggested by the government and the impact that this could have on children in our community, and I will continue to fight for the necessary investment in education.”

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk did not respond to an invitation to comment.

Mr Wastling added: “On 20 April last year, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, in a question in the House of Commons to then Prime Minister, David Cameron, said: 'We appear to be heading into some kind of fantasy land. The Institute for Fiscal Studies states that school spending 'is expected to fall by at least 7% in real terms' in the next four years—the biggest cut since the 1970s. So why on earth is the Prime Minister proposing to spend £1.3 billion on a top-down reorganisation that was not in his manifesto?

“‘Teachers do not want it, parents do not want it, governors do not want it, head teachers do not want it and even his own MPs and councillors do not want it. Can he not just think again and support schools and education, rather than forcing this on them?’”

“This latest report, now more than ever, should finally focus the minds of our local councillors on the very important future of education in our township.”

In an open letter to Rochdale Councillors on 24 January, Mr Wastling raised this issue saying: “'These cuts will hurt us all. They will result, amongst many other things, in increased class sizes, loss of school staff and cuts to extra-curricular activities and resources.

“All of which will impact negatively on local literacy levels, especially increased class sizes and loss of school staff.”

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/129/letters-to-the-editor/107702/letter-open-letter-to-rochdale-councillors

Mr Wastling concluded: “Given the dire findings of this latest report on local literacy need, I'd have thought a timely 'response', or any 'response' at all - and some political action - is all the more pressing?”

Councillor Donna Martin, Rochdale Borough Council cabinet member for children’s services, said: “Improving education in our borough is one of our key priorities and against a backdrop of huge financial cuts from central government we are making improvements in a number of areas.

“Last year our GCSE results improved significantly and the percentage of students gaining an English pass was well above the national average. Rochdale has performed better than the north west average score and national score at KS2 (reading and writing) and better at KS4 than the north west average in English.

“Although this data isn’t directly related to any literacy measure and is more about things associated with it, we will continue to work hard to ensure every child in our borough gets the best possible chance to succeed.”