We work to improve the reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in the UK's poorest communities, where up to 40% of people have literacy problems.Because low literacy is intergenerational, we focus our work on families, young people and children.We adopt a place-based approach to improving literacy levels in areas of high social deprivation and over five years ago we launched the Middlesbrough Hub, known locally as Middlesbrough Reads. The Middlesbrough Hub Manager post is funded by Public Health. Together, both parties share the aim of improving school readiness and, ultimately, the attainment outcomes of the young people of Middlesbrough.
As part of Middlesbrough Reads, a number of projects have been delivered to promote reading and writing, and a public campaign has encouraged parents to make reading a part of family life.Our Annual Literacy Pupil Survey shows improvements in both reading and writing attitudes for pupils in Middlesbrough aged between 8 and 14 since the Hub launch:A 19.8% increase (or 10 percentage point increase) in the number of pupils who enjoy writing (50.4% to 60.4%)An 8.2% increase (or 4.8 percentage point increase) in the number of pupils who read for enjoyment (58.2% to 63%)A key focus for the Hub has been the early years, with activity aiming to increase the number of children reaching the expected level at age five.Hundreds of families took part in our Early Words Together programme, with local volunteers giving parents the tools they need to support their children’s literacy at home. The programme has had a significant impact:Between 2013 and 2015, 43% more children from participating settings reached the expected communication and language levels at age five; three times more than the national percentage increase.From 2016 to 2017, 13% more children in participating primary schools achieved an overall good level of development at age five; more than double the increase seen among children from other Middlesbrough schools.Since the launch, there have also been notable improvements to children’s literacy attainment across the town more widely.There’s been a 31% increase in the percentage of Middlesbrough children achieving the expected level in communication and language at age five (from 55.4% in 2013 to 72.7% in 2017); double the rate of national improvement. This indicates that the Hub, along with local government, school and other partner initiatives, is having a real impact.