The VRU’s Education Lead has proposed
the literacy project for a number of reasons. Data from the
#BeeWell survey shows that too few young people read for pleasure.
We are aware from DfE and Ofsted reports that too many youngsters
are struggling readers whose reading skills are at an early stage.
Not enough young people have the opportunity to borrow books to
read at home with a parent or carer. We know that the quality of
young people’s writing and their quality of life improves
when they read more and read often. [We saw in 2022 and 2023, the
positive and welcome effect of providing youngsters with readers
that talked to the Equalities agenda]. The more pupils are widely
read, the better their outcomes socially and well-being wise, as
well as academically.
Therefore, the VRU’s Education Lead is interested in
providing young people in primary schools with readers (fiction and
non-fiction) that would help them talk about and reflect upon those
values which align with GM and the GM VRU, for instance, making
choices, decision making, taking responsibility, community and
teamwork and treating others as they would wish to be
treated.
GMVRU has identified three GM primary schools that have expressed a
firm interest in choosing a selection of fiction and non-fiction
books that pupils could read, borrow and take home, and read with
an older family member, that had titles and content linked to
choices, responsibility, consequences etc.
KPI’s of this funding (to be written into the grant
agreement) will include:
1. Increase in Reading for Pleasure: At least 90% of targeted
disadvantaged pupils report an increase in reading for pleasure,
measured through surveys or reading records.
2. Family Reading Engagement: At least 90% of targeted pupils
regularly read at home with a family member.
3. Character Immersion: All targeted pupils participate in a
‘Day in the Life’ experience, where they role-play as a
book character, demonstrating awareness of responsibility and
consequences. Feedback on engagement and learning outcomes gathered
from pupils, parents and teachers.
4. Reading Age Improvement: At least 95% of targeted pupils improve
their reading age by a minimum of 6 months within the
programme’s duration, measured through standardized reading
checks and engagement in literacy in their school’s personal
development curriculum.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 29/10/2024
Decision due: 10 Oct 2024 by Director for Safer and Stronger Communities
Contact: Lisa Lees Email: lisa.lees@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk.