Schools line up for Get Witham Reading 2019
Eight schools in Witham have confirmed their participation in Get Witham Reading 2019 organised by Witham MP, Priti Patel. This is the crusading MP’s eighth annual school literacy campaign aimed at improving standards of literacy across the Witham constituency.
This year’s participants are:
- Tiptree Heath Primary School, Tiptree
- St Luke’s Church of England Primary School, Tiptree
- Powers Hall Academy, Witham
- Templars Academy, Witham
- Silver End Acadamy, Silver End
- New Rickstones Academy, Witham
- Howbridge Junior School, Witham
- White Notley Church of England Primary School, White Notley
In this year’s event, the schools have chosen their own reading themes and they include, traditional tales, fairy tales, safari, favourite books, fantasy and under the sea. Every pupil at the schools taking part will receive a certificate from Priti Patel MP, to confirm their participation. The Witham MP will be spending the day in her constituency visiting the participating schools on Friday 12th July, to present the certificates.
Ms Patel said: “I am delighted to say that locally, over the seven years since Get Witham Reading began, literacy levels have seen significant improvement. In 2018, the average number of pupils achieving the expected standard in reading at KS2 was 77%, while the national and regional average were 75% and 76% respectively. In the Witham constituency in 2018, eight schools achieved well above average and above average results in KS2.”
The 2019 Get Witham Reading campaign has attracted high level support from the Prime Minister, Theresa May MP and the Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Damian Hinds MP. Mrs May said: “I am delighted that Get Witham Reading is returning this year and I am pleased to send my best wishes to everyone taking part in this fantastic event. Reading is an adventure that we should all take time for and I hope that you all enjoy reading as much as I do. It is an exciting opportunity to escape to far off lands, step backwards in time and meet characters of all kinds.”
Mr Hinds said: “Reading is a fantastic way to broaden your horizons and learn about all sorts of things you might not learn about in school. A good book can transport you to another part of the world or even a different period in time.”