Christmas literacy campaign sees books donated to primary schools

Councillor Sue Smith

Three local primary schools and the council have received a donation of children’s books as part of a campaign led by Business in the Community (BITC), the Prince’s Responsible Business Network.

Bowlee Park Primary School, St Mary’s Primary School in Middleton and St Gabriel’s Primary School in Castleton each received a donation as did the council – for looked-after children – and the Kashmiri Youth Project.

With more than one in four children estimated to leave primary school with poor reading abilities, BITC’s literacy campaign is aimed at improving literacy skills in primary-age children.

In total, 15,000 books worth £100,000 were donated to 37 primary schools and causes across Rochdale, Blackpool, Bradford, Coventry, Lowestoft, Norwich, Sheffield and Wisbech.

The donation comes as part of BITC’s Place programme, which involves supporting communities in need around the UK. BITC leads on a number of school partnerships to support school-age children improve their literacy skills and increase business engagement with secondary-age children on future career prospects.

Given by Miles Kelly Publishing and partially funded by Literacy Capital through BITC’s partnership with Bookmark Reading Charity, the donated books range from fiction to non-fiction and include interactive content for young readers. Bookmark gives children the reading skills and confidence they need for a fair chance in life, through their flexible volunteer-led programme.

Baroness Jo Valentine, Director of Place at Business in the Community, said: “It’s in BITC’s DNA to support transforming communities that are at risk of being forgotten and what better way to do that than to help children improve their literacy skills.

“Leaving primary school without fundamental reading skills can have a long-term impact on a child’s future prospects, and it is a fact we cannot ignore.

“By arranging for these books to be distributed, we aim to improve the literacy of students, and give these young pupils a chance for a better future.”

Councillor Sue Smith has been contacted for comment.