Reading Initiative Improves Literacy for Pandemic-Affected Children

A recent report indicates that a reading program, established to assist primary school children in Hastings who were most significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, has successfully enhanced pupils’ reading frequency and enjoyment. The LitUp initiative was developed to address literacy challenges within East Sussex, a region where nine areas are identified among England’s most susceptible to literacy struggles. In 2022, the year LitUp was launched, 28% of 11-year-olds in East Sussex completed school without achieving the expected reading level – a figure surpassing the national average of 25%. However, current results demonstrate a notable increase in children’s reading frequency, with more than half (54%) progressing from rarely engaging with books in their free time to reading at least once a week. The program initially focused on children in years 3 and 4, and in its second year, continued with the same group of students as they moved into years 4 and 5. Over a two-year duration, pupils participated in numerous author visits and parent/carer reading sessions. Following termly school visits from some of Bloomsbury Publishing’s leading children’s authors, 79% of children stated that these visits motivated them to read more. Each author visit engaged over 800 pupils, and more than 12,000 free books and resources were donated across two academic years. Consequently, LitUp has been extended for a third year, maintaining its focus on the same children, who are now in years 5 and 6. The report also revealed that 65% of children who previously lacked confidence in their reading abilities now describe themselves as ‘very good’ or ‘good’ readers after participating in LitUp. Nicki Duckett, a teacher at Silverdale Primary Academy in St Leonards, which has been involved in the program from its inception, affirmed that the scheme helped boost literacy levels. She stated, “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.” Alice Birdwood, from the National Literacy Trust, commented that the program offered “a hands-on approach” to learning. She added, “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.”