Campaigns - Literacy
Improving Standards of Literacy Throughout Westminster North
Joanne is deeply concerned by the number of children leaving primary school without even the most basic literacy skills both in Westminster North and throughout the country. This online literacy campaign reflects her determination to work with the residents of Westminster North, to ensure that they are given every opportunity to equip themselves with the necessary reading skills to fully realise their potential. In order to fulfil this ambition, Joanne has been working closely with the specialist literacy charity Social Action which has achieved remarkable results teaching phonics to children in one of Westminster North’s most deprived wards.
One in five children leaves primary school unable to read properly. This means that every year, 120,000 children starting secondary school do not have the reading skills needed to fulfil their potential. This lack of a proper foundation manifests itself in more tangible difficulties later in life with one in six young people leaving school lacking the fundamental tools required to get a job. There is currently a stock of 5 million adults who cannot read or write properly; not only do these individuals not possess the essential functional skills to operate in today’s society but they are also damaging Britain’s economic prospects. The Leitch Review of 2004 demonstrated that the eradication of illiteracy and innumeracy would boost the UK economy by around £3 billion each year for 30 years.
Announcing the launch of her campaign, Joanne said: ‘Being able to read is one of life’s most important skills. It is simply shocking that, despite the millions poured into our education system, one in five primary school leavers still cannot read properly; severely undermining their life chances and future opportunities. My campaign seeks to raise awareness of this important issue and put pressure on the Government to do much more for the children being left behind in Westminster North.’
Campaign News
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Joanne Launches Online Literacy Campaign
Joanne Cash and Michael Gove MP visit the Butterfly Reading Group
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