New educational chapter for hundreds of pupils in Leeds

A total of 724 children from 15 local schools were signed up for the Let’s Read: LEEDS project by the time of this week’s registration deadline.

Each child in participating classes will now get a personal booklet packed with engaging activities designed to develop literacy skills.

Pupils will also receive their own copies of the YEP each week for six weeks plus a certificate of achievement at the end of the NEWS Foundation-organised project.

The scheme follows the popularity of last year’s Reading Passport, another link-up between the YEP and The NEWS Foundation.

And the support from the city for this year’s project was praised today by The NEWS Foundation.

George Kelly, director of The NEWS Foundation, said: “The response from Leeds has been superb with many new schools registering to take part.

“We also have a number of schools that have come back to take part for a second time.

“It is wonderful to see teachers who are switched on to the necessity of teaching about current events.

“Thanks must be given to Leeds City Council for their support in this extremely important project that brings education to life and opens up a knowledge of the world around them for our children.

“There is no doubt, in this 24-hour ‘wired-world’, that we need to teach children about the world around them, about the people, places and events that shape and influence their lives in so many ways.”

Schools taking part in the scheme include Kippax Ash Tree Primary, Adel St John the Baptist Primary, Guiseley Primary and Morley’s Asquith Primary.