Supporting Literacy at Coldean School

Labour's Brighton Pavilion candidate Nancy Platts visited Coldean School in the constituency to see how it is teaching literacy and using National Literacy Trust programmes to boost reading and writing.

She saw local schoolchildren taking part in a range of lessons to support literacy skills and build a lifelong love of reading and writing and joined five to seven year old youngsters, and took part in storytelling sessions that are made fun and interactive with puppets representing storybook characters.

Nancy's visit forms part of the National Literacy Trust's forthcoming Vote for Literacy campaign which asks the public to urge political parties, individual MPs and candidates to prioritise literacy. MP and candidate visits in January and February will raise the profile of literacy as an important election issue.

"I am a true believer in the value of building our children's literacy skills at an early age," says Nancy. "By creating an inviting, safe and fun environment for children to learn in, we are encouraging enjoyment of reading and writing. A love of literacy sets children on a path that leads to a happy, fulfilled and successful life."

Jonathan Douglas, Director of the National Literacy Trust says: "Literacy is more important to local communities than ever before. The next government will need to rebuild our economy and to increase opportunities for all young people. Levels of literacy must improve for them to achieve this.

"We're delighted that Nancy Platts PPC has chosen to see for herself how literacy is being successfully supported in one local school. In the upcoming General Election, we want the public to challenge all MPs and prospective parliamentary candidates to encourage their party to adopt policies from our Manifesto for Literacy. Together we can address literacy and build a better future for us all."