Pupils can bank on reading skills

RADIO station GWR FM is encouraging more children in the area topick up a book and Read to Achieve.

The year-long project run by the Bristol-based radio station aimsto raise literacy standards in schools across the city and, in doingso, boost pupils' reading ability, confidence and self esteem.

The scheme is supported by Barclays and involves both radiostation and bank employees working with Bristol schools at readingevents and acting as "reading buddies" .

A reading buddy is someone who sits with a child while theyoungster reads from a book, giving them a helping hand when they getstuck on a tricky word.

GWR FM is inviting a different school every month to take part inreading events at locations across the city.

The most recent of these events was held at Barclays CorporateUniversity, in Stoke Gifford, last month and 35 seven-year-olds fromLongwell Green Primary School took part.

The pupils took their favourite books to read with GWR FMpresenter Simon Ross, the Black Thunder Crews and Barclays employees.

And the children also got the chance to play "bankers" in thecentre's mock training bank.

The aim of the day was to make reading fun and reinforce themessage at the core of the Read to Achieve project - It's Cool ToRead.

Longwell Green Primary School teacher Kirsti Harris said: "Thiswas a great opportunity for my class to become involved in such anexciting project.

"We hope that the reading event at Barclays and the involvement ofGWR will encourage children across Bristol to understand theimportance of reading." GWR FM's community relations officer Lin Daysaid:

"We're thrilled to be working with Barclays as we're bothcommitted to education and see reading as fundamental to children'sfutures.

"By working with Barclays we aim to reach far more children thisyear and gain the support of Bristol-based sportsmen, women andpersonalities to promote the It's Cool to Read message." Barclaysregional community manager Elaine Arnold said: "Barclays is committedto playing a leading role in the communities it serves, and we'redelighted to join forces with GWR FM in playing such a vital role inthis programme supporting young people in Bristol." Over the comingyear the radio station hopes to work with as many as 30 schools inthe Bristol area.