National Literacy Trust Hub in January 2020 Newsletter

Overview The National Literacy Trust Hub in Middlesbrough was established in June 2012 thanks to funding from the Man Booker Foundation. Following its successful rollout, the National Literacy Trust has since developed Hubs in Bradford, Peterborough, Stoke-on-Trent, Swindon, Nottingham, the North Coast, Hastings, , Birmingham and Manchester.

The Middlesbrough Hub is known locally as Middlesbrough Reads.

The Middlesbrough Hub Manager post is funded by Public Health. Together, both parties share the aim of improving school readiness and, ultimately, the attainment outcomes of the young people of Middlesbrough. The Hub Manager, Allison Potter, has presented at conferences across the country, driving interest from both the UK and around the world.

A strengthened partnership moving forward Acknowledging and building on the work of the Middlesbrough Hub, launched the ‘Middlesbrough Promise’ aimed at further galvanising a wide range of partners to take action to improve reading, similar to the work undertaken in the Peterborough Hub to produce their ‘Vision for Reading’. Senior staff from the National Literacy Trust have facilitated workshops and discussions to help formulate the vision of the Middlesbrough Promise. Moving forward, the Middlesbrough Promise will support the consistent delivery of the Literacy Pathway, helping to make sharing books and stories a priority for all Middlesbrough families.

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generosity of local Key activity to date partner WHSmith, a James Cook University Hospital Christmasaurus cuddly toy was gifted to mum neonatal packs Alec who was spending

time in the paediatric Parents on ward over Christmas. the neonatal Materials to continue ward at this initiative are being James Cook delivered to JCUH in spring 2020. University Hospital Literacy Pathway continue to The Hub has worked closely with the School receive copies of Guess How Much I Love You Readiness team since the beginning. Seeds by Sam McBratney to read to their premature were sown to develop a Literacy Pathway, babies. ‘I was only able to spend the first 8 mapping the opportunities for early literacy nights at the hospital. One of the things which messages to be shared with new parents. In helped leaving him was to have a routine. 2016 the Literacy Pathway was included in the Before I left, we had a story together, then I said goodnight. The books and stories were an important part of my time in James Cook.’ The Middlesbrough Hub initiative, which has resulted in books becoming an important part of daily life on the ward, has been replicated on other neonatal wards, including Stoke- Middlesbrough School Readiness Model and, on-Trent, Bradford together, have been working to raise the and, following a visit to profile of its importance alongside trying to James Cook University ensure a consistency of delivery. Key Hospital, in statutory contact points with Health provided Scarborough from the vehicle and partnerships with publishers, Autumn 2019. including Penguin Random House, has To date over 850 enabled book gifting to support the messages. families have received a pack. Data is being gathered on the number of gifts/messages being given on a quarterly Paediatric patient activity packs basis and the renewed focus of the Middlesbrough Promise should further raise The paediatric patient packs for young people awareness of the importance of these admitted to James Cook University Hospital, consistent messages. as well as those visiting family members on a regular basis, have continued to be assembled Antenatal messaging and distributed by the Therapeutic Care Volunteers (TCVs) at the hospital. To date Through a partnership with the over 1,350 packs have been gifted. The Middlesbrough Hub, the Stronger Families Middlesbrough Hub benefited from a large School Readiness team and health visitors, donation of books from Penguin Random expectant parents are House to celebrate the National Literacy informed that singing, Trust’s charity of the year status. One of the talking and reading to their many books included in the donation was the baby will help brain and festive title The Christmasaurus, written by language development popular children’s author Tom Fletcher. One Pregnancy, Birth and hundred copies (RRP £700) were gifted to Beyond antenatal classes. young patients at James Cook hospital leading At the first session, parents up to Christmas 2019. Thanks to the choose a book funded by

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Public Health to read to their bump. A dad routines and reading stories. commented ‘It’s my job now, it gives me a During 2019 over 450+ parents/carers were role, and it’s a way of me spending time with spoken to and gifted a bag of books. Parents our bump’ are reporting how receiving the messages has Around 200 mums attend Pregnancy, Birth impacted on family life, with bedtime stories and Beyond antenatal classes a year – at the becoming part of daily routine, how stories fourth session they receive a Baby Record are helping create a calm environment and book (thanks to PRH) and encouraged to look how they did not realise the benefits of out for and record early literacy behaviours. sharing stories. ‘We are now making stories part of bedtime routine.’ Sing with me Early Words Together The Hub has continued to work with the Stronger The Early Words Together has continued to be Families School Readiness delivered in several Middlesbrough schools team, developing the through 2019, with positive impact reported. effective implementation of Children at a Middlesbrough Academy who the Literacy Pathway. The participated in EWT demonstrated a particular Middlesbrough Hub interest in the designed a nursery rhyme sharing of stories. booklet to be gifted to families at the 6 to 8 This has impacted week health visitor check, along with positively on their messaging to encourage singing to their baby. listening and The Education attention skills and, secretary reiterated as a consequence, the importance of resulted in a greater singing nursery rhymes percentage of EWT from an early age, pupils achieving a confirming the importance being placed on Good Level of this activity within Middlesbrough. Development at the Approximately 200 copies are gifted each end of reception (74%) compared to all pupils month. (65%). The children had also developed a love of reading. Bath, Book, Bed Another school Work continued throughout 2019 with reported the Middlesbrough libraries and the Stronger impact EWT had Families School Readiness team to promote on both parent bedtime routines through 4 separate Bath, and child. Book, Bed weeks. Following the Bags containing sessions there was books and the a noticeable BookTrust’s Bath, increase in the Book, Bed booklet parent’s were gifted to confidence and self-esteem, but also in the parents at baby quality of interaction with their child. The weighing clinics to parent reported use of the home learning let them know activities which has helped to create a shared about the language and positive focus at home. The importance of parent now instigates meetings with school and attends meetings when requested

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Donor Funding Secured Attending the Celebration Event at Primary was a privilege – to see parents The NLT Northern Funding team secured interacting with their children while engaging funding from an anonymous donor, through in literacy activity as fantastic. All 3 parents the Tees Valley Community Foundation, to reported run 7 EWT programmes in Middlesbrough how much EYFS settings. A briefing session was held at they had Academy, showcasing the work enjoyed the and impact EWT has had over the past three sessions and years. Beech Grove, St Alphonsus, were doing Hall, Thorntree, , more Corpus Christi together with their children, a sharing books and Whinney regularly. Banks attended training in Little Ladybird Library autumn 2019 and several Additionally, the Tees Valley Community settings are Foundation secured already seeing the impact. funding to provide ten EYFS settings with Child A is a twin. Their sibling is very outgoing, a Little Ladybird confident and chatty whereas child A is Library, each withdrawn and selective mute. The family comprising of 30 have been attending Early Words Together books that fit into with child A to have some valuable bonding different themes time. As a result, they are now whispering to (fairy tales, exploring their mum in sessions and is beginning to be and animals, much more confident in nursery. wordplay, and adventure). Little Ladybird Libraries have Child B is Polish and attends with their dad been donated to Beech Grove, St Alphonsus, who is not confident with communicating in Hemlington Hall, Thorntree, Berwick Hills, English. EWT has been invaluable for both Corpus Christi, , Easterside, parent and child to learn together in a fun Acklam Whin and Caldicotes. ‘The books are way. As Child B reads aloud, they translate for delightful, and the children are really enjoying dad which helps his English skills too. exploring them – thank you so much for Child C has recently been put into the care of letting us benefit from the opportunity.’ their grandparent, who they had only met a handful of times before the arrangement was New Middlesbrough Reads put in place. EWT is providing a way for them collateral to bond and build a new relationship away The Middlesbrough from a very noisy and busy household. Reads team has been ‘EWT has fostered a love of reading with our working on new youngest children and has sparked a campaign leaflets and realisation in our parents of how important posters aimed at and pleasurable reading together can be. It expectant parents, has provided a valuable, safe and nurturing families with babies space for bonding over a book - As a school, and families with early we are extremely grateful!’ years to primary school children.

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The collateral identifies the behaviours we In December 2019, the Middlesbrough Hub want our target audience to adopt and gifted 100+ books to NEPACS. The Dads wrote addresses the barriers from preventing them a personalised message for their child in their doing this already. The final design carefully chosen book. The NEPACS family incorporated the Middlesbrough Promise logo support worker, from HMP Holme House, to reinforce the partnership. reported that the prisoners were so grateful to be able to feel they were giving something Stagecoach North East/Bin Wagons to their child for Christmas. ‘Being able to sit and read my daughter a story was really Stage Coach NE agreed, in Summer 2019, to special - thank you’. display the new Middlesbrough reads collateral on all the Middlesbrough buses, Middlesbrough Football Club Over the past five years, the Middlesbrough Hub has developed a strong partnership with Middlesbrough Football Club. The Hub has regularly gifted books to young fans both as posters and banners. The Hub is in the Generation currently awaiting sign-off to display the Red Family Zone at ‘Read 10 minutes a day’ message on the side the Riverside of the Recycling Bin Wagons that operate Stadium, talking to across Middlesbrough. them about what they like to read and BBC Radio Coverage encouraging parents or carers to read The Hub manager has with their children. been interviewed on local The Nott's County Fan and national radio, Engagement Officer visited MFC and including BBC Tees and subsequently contacted the new Hub in BBC Radio 4, discussing Nottingham to replicate the partnership current literacy issues, relationship in Middlesbrough, and talks are and has been able to underway with Bradford City. showcase locally and nationally, Middlesbrough initiatives, Each Christmas the Hub Manager is invited to showcasing the work being developed and attend the Champion Children Party, gifting a promoting the Middlesbrough Promise. This has generated positive interest in Middlesbrough.

NEPACS The Middlesbrough Hub has been supporting the work of NEPACS, the North East prisoner family support charity, with book donations book to each child. ‘Just want to say a huge and information about thank you for your support with our CC Party the importance of and making it a huge success. We made a lot sharing stories for of people happy and be able to forget the several years. Books are difficulties in their lives during the party. now part of family visits Thank you for all your support not just with to prisons. this but throughout the season.’

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Feast of Fun onwards, hopefully encouraging a life long love of books. The sessions exceeded Following a meeting with the Bishop of expectations with 23 families supported over , the Hub has continued to support the the year. One young mum grew in confidence ‘Feast of Fun’, holiday clubs across and went on to become a HomeStart Middlesbrough and Redcar & , with Volunteer, adding experience to her CV. donations of books. The clubs, running in churches, schools and community centres, Book Donations provide activities including arts, crafts sports, Thanks to ongoing partnerships with Penguin games and music based around themes, with all serving healthy food, during school Random House and other publishers, the holidays. Thanks to the Hub’s partnership with Middlesbrough Hub has benefitted from Penguin Random House, 1,500 books were generous book donations over 2019. The NLT gifted in summer 2019 to the young people is PRH’s Charity of the Year until the end of 2020 which will see circa 16,000 books

attending the sessions. ‘Parents and children alike were delighted with the free books. It donated into Middlesbrough. This has encouraged good, quality family time over enabled the Hub to help support UCA and reading. They couldn’t believe the books were Acklam Grange in providing new stock to their a gift.’ school library. "The books gifted by the NLT Hub have been invaluable when targeting HomeStart reluctant readers and those with weaker literacy skills. There is also potential to use some of the books with EAL students and After a meeting with larger sets with form groups to promote a love HomeStart Teesside, it was of reading across the whole school." arranged that the Hub Manager would train their volunteers to be We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Literacy Champions. The Home-Start Middlesbrough Reads teamed up with Walker volunteers help families with young children Books to provide families with free special deal with the challenges they face. Training edition copies of We're Going on a has been delivered, to 8 volunteers and 2 staff Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, illustrated by members, who are reinforcing the key literacy Helen Oxenbury. The book appears in the 100 messages. Middlesbrough Reads list, as voted for by In addition, the Hub secured funding to school children in the town. enable HomeStart Teesside to establish Around weekly ‘Sing, Rhyme and Read’ sessions, 500 copies hosted by Caldicotes Academy. of the The Hub Manager trained the staff and much- volunteers running the sessions, and provided loved a range of board and picture books to be used picture book were gifted, alongside an within the sessions. The aim of the interactive booklet with additional prompts to sessions was to give advice on the benefits of reading and singing nursey rhymes from birth

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encourage families to engage with the images Cook University Hospital where she met and bring the story to life, at the Town Meal. Nurses Sue Walker and Sue Thompson who support the book gifting. Literacy Champions Adele said: “I am thrilled to be an ambassador for Middlesbrough Reads. The work the Literacy Champions are volunteers in the local campaign is doing to help children and community who will help encourage families discover the magic of stories, while Middlesbrough to engage with reading. A also giving them the skills and confidence they Literacy Champion can be anyone from the need to read, is vital. I believe reading is a local community who wants to inspire young basic human right that ought to be available people, and improve their life chances. They to everyone. In my role, I will do everything I may be child minders, youth workers, sports can to spread a love of reading to children and coaches, students, or professionals, but they families throughout my home town.” are all committed to taking action on literacy. Over 30 expressions of interest have been Words for Work & Dream Big received and 8 volunteers were able to attend £14,500 was secured for the NE through the first training session in November 2019. A Provident Financial, to run a Primary W4W, a second training session is taking place in early KS3 and a post-16 W4W and Middlesbrough 2020. The Literacy Champions will be was chosen to benefit. establishing Reading Groups, distributing information material, volunteering at a local Words for Work: Dream Big develops literacy school, youth club, or care home to give skills, raises aspirations and challenges reading support, displaying Middlesbrough stereotypes with children in Key Stage 1. Reads posters in their workplace, sharing Through a variety of interactive play and skills- campaign activity on social media channels building activities, the programme provides an and talking to their local communities about authentic way to practise language and the importance of reading and sharing stories. literacy. Words for Work: Dream Big helps young children imagine their futures and how Adele Parks Ambassador they will use the skills they are learning at Bestselling author Adele Parks has taken on a new role as ambassador of Middlesbrough Reads, following a day visiting various hub activities. Adele started off visiting and Early

school when they are older. Abingdon Primary and Newport primary schools are currently Words Together session at Easterside participating, visiting restaurants, the Central Academy, participating in fantastic outdoor s Library and BBC Tees. "It was exciting finding torytelling activities with a group of nursery out about all the jobs at Scrann Restaurant" children, their parents and volunteers. Next Adele visited Newham Bridge Primary School who had taken part in the National Literacy Trust’s Young Readers Programme and Puffin World of Stories. Finally, she visited the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at James

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“The children really and attended by more than 130 pupils. A total enjoyed visiting the of 60 competed in 12 teams from all of the six library and seeing schools. The winning team 2019 was Battling ‘backstage.’ The Boro Bards from Archibald Primary School. detective theme was Pre/post data indicated a 13% increase in good to hook the children perceptions in. It was just a shame towards we ran out of time!” enjoyment of reading, a In Spring 2019, 28 more vulnerable Y8 UCA 16% increase students participated in Words for Work, in enjoyment working with members from local of writing and an 8% increase in perceptions business/employers. “W4W was one of the towards improving at writing. ‘It was fantastic best experiences of my life I would to experience being on stage and performing recommend it for others.” Students developed from our imagination! It expanded my in confidence and were much more informed vocabulary and taught me how to read, write about future prospects. There was a visible and say poetry aloud professionally.’ positive shift in their behaviours and attitudes. ‘The W4W programme improved Young Readers Programme our students’ awareness and confidence of communicating in the workplace.’ Due to Middlesbrough being a Hub, seven schools have been able to participate in the Our Stories –Middlesbrough National Literacy Trust’s Young Readers Programme, as a result of national funding The ‘Our Stories’ programme was developed through the National Literacy Trust Hub in Bradford, and is a creative writing and performance poetry initiative that encourages

being secured through British Land and WHSmiths. Children’s survey responses indicated that those who started the project with the lowest levels of reading enjoyment showed particularly positive reading pupils to cultivate a curiosity about poems outcomes. Teachers reported that and how they work, a willingness to play with participation in the programme had a positive language and a desire to communicate ideas. impact on reading attainment and on reading The schools that participated this year were enjoyment. 240 pupils attended a celebration Archibald Primary School, Beech Grove event at MFC in July 2019 and attended book Primary School, Hemlington Hall Academy, readings by authors. “Before taking part in the Primary Academy, Viewley Hill Young Readers Programme there was an Academy, Corpus Christi Roman Catholic apathy towards reading and books in my Primary School – the inaugural winners of the class. Now there’s a real buzz!” competition. All the schools had learnt how to craft different poetry styles such as kennings Puffin World of Stories and riddles and taken part in workshops led The Puffin World of Stories programme gives by Bob and Andy, focusing on local places and primary schools the books, materials, training landmarks pertinent to each of them. and resources they need to champion reading for pleasure throughout the whole school and The programme culminated in the grand final, breathe new life into their libraries and held at on 11 July

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reading spaces as hubs of creativity and agenda. Over 500 book reviews were returned imagination. Through being an NLT Hub, 17 with Ameera Naas, age nine from Newham Middlesbrough schools were given the Bridge, winning the iPad Mini, kindly donated opportunity to participate in this fabulous by Stagecoach North East. opportunity. St Alphonsus, Ayresome, Newport, Thorntree, Beech Grove, Newham NewsWise National Launch Bridge, Berwick Hills & Breckon Hill were Children and their parents from Abingdon Primary School in Middlesbrough were invited to , the home of Middlesbrough FC, to take part in the first ever NewsWise family festival, an trained in 2018/19 and Easterside, North extension of Ormesby, Whinney Banks, Archibald, the award-winning NewsWise project, Brambles, St Joseph’s, Hemlington Hall, launched in 2018 by The Guardian Green Lane & Abingdon completed their Foundation, the National Literacy Trust and training in January 2020. “Excellent and the PSHE Association, and funded by Google, inspirational training – lots of practical ideas to equip children from disadvantaged to enhance reading and foster a love of communities with the skills and knowledge to reading – thank you so much!” The impact has engage with, challenge and enjoy news. The been recognised by Ofsted. “The Ofsted NewsWise programme teamed up with the inspector commented on the ‘buzz about MFC Foundation to bring families a series of reading’ and noted that the pupils spoke activities and games to teach them how to enthusiastically about the books, the library spot fake news, how photos are faked and and reading in general.” how clickbait is generated. Local journalist Ian Reading Logs McNeal, Digital Editor at Teesside Live, also showed families how The Reading Logs, developed from the to identify Middlesbrough 100 Reads, were distributed to trustworthy news every primary school in the town, and made sources online. ‘I available online for Educated at Home pupils. really enjoyed speaking to Gordon The feedback Cox from the MFC Foundation about the from schools players. I enjoyed learning about how fake was incredibly photos are created and how we can be tricked positive into thinking they are real news.’ “Thank you for the Dave Cousins’ Crime Writing Tour Reading Logs – they’re fantastic! They’ve given staff some The National Literacy more ideas for whole class reading books as Trust teamed up with well!” Reading Log displays in school libraries children’s author Dave have added to the Reading for Pleasure Cousins and the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) to bring an exciting crime writing tour (celebrating the Ruth Rendell Award) to eight different primary schools across the Hub areas, visiting Newham Bridge in October. He gave pupils

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from year 6 an insight into the world of authors and illustrators to entertain and creative crime writing by helping them plan a inspire 1,000 Middlesbrough Y5 & Y6 pupils, fictional robbery! from 28 schools, to enjoy reading for pleasure. Visiting the Town Hall will be Sibeal Pounder, Jamie Littler, MG Leonard & Sam Sedgman, Sam Copeland, Katie & Kevin Tsang, whilst the Host for the event is author Steve Butler. The authors will be visiting Abingdon,

‘This workshop was so funny but it’s given me Ayresome, Archibald, Green Lane and some good ideas to plan my writing.’ on the afternoon to inspire an additional 1200+ KS2 pupils. Marvellous Middlesbrough Story Penguin Random House Secondary anthology Partnership In December of 2018, The Peguin Random House approached the Middlesbrough Middlesbrough Hub as they were looking to trial long term partnerships with secondary Promise, in th partnership with schools (that have a 6 Form), starting in the National September 2019. The idea is that PRH will Literacy Trust, tailor the support to each school depending launched their on the need and what is required, but their ‘Marvellous aim is to offer a menu of different options Middlesbrough’ including careers workshops, donations to competition. their libraries, author talks or tickets to live events. Kings Academy were selected and are This was an open invitation for schools in in the process of selecting books for their Middlesbrough to showcase their creative library or to use as class sets. Discussions are talents. Inspired by Racheal Wong’s book, The underway regarding careers workshops in the Bridge that George Built, the pupils were summer term. asked to write a story set in their hometown. Their pride and love for Middlesbrough was In December, every student plain to see, and the effort the pupils made and member of staff was brilliant. Unfortunately the funding to received a copy of Our publish the book was withdrawn, so the NLT Planet (just over 1,000 Hub has been working to ensure the winning books). pupils see their stories in print. (Copies were On World Book Day delivered to winners January 2020) (Thursday 5 March), volunteers from PRH Audio & Audience Share a story live – World Book Day department will be visiting King’s to help Middlesbrough has been inspire a love of stories and reading for chosen as one of only pleasure, and highlight that reading, writing four places in the country and storytelling do not start and end with a (along with Glasgow, physical book. Working with year 7 students, Manchester and PRH will introduce students to the world of Hastings) to host ‘Share a audiobooks – from listening to narration and Story Live’ event on writing their own scenes to reading aloud and March 2nd 2020. It is recording speech and sound effects, leaving billed as being the students with their very own mini biggest, bookiest ‘audiobook’. nationwide live tour and is bringing 7 fabulous

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