big diamond jubilee read

HRH The Duchess of Cornwall is supporting the National Literacy Trust and Oxford Uni Press to get children reading.

The National Literacy Trust  and Oxford University Press are helping to get pupils in the UK and throughout the Commonwealth reading and writing with a new competition to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

DADS AND FAMILIES WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO GET YOUR CHILDS SCHOOL TO SIGN UP!

The Big Diamond Jubilee Read encapsulates the excitement of the Royal Family’s tour of Commonwealth in the Diamond Jubilee year by taking children on a reading journey around the world and giving them the chance to write to pupils in another Commonwealth country and share their favourite books.

The reading part of the competition encourages children to read more by allowing them to collect ‘reading miles’ as they spend time reading at home or at school, documenting them in a special reading passport. Using these miles they will ‘travel’ on a classroom map to some of the countries the Royal Family is visiting. In total the challenge will encompass 11 hours of reading.

The writing part of the competition sees pupils choose a book they have read on their reading journey and write to a real group of children from a Commonwealth country to tell them what they thought about it and why they should read it.

The competition has already captured schools’ imaginations with over 1000 signing up to take part prior to the competition’s launch this week. The Duchess of Cornwall is Patron of the National Literacy Trust, the charity running the competition in partnership with Oxford University Press and has leant her support to the competition.

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall, Patron of the National Literacy Trust said:

“As Patron of the National Literacy Trust I am delighted that the Big Diamond Jubilee Read competition has chosen the Royal Family’s Tour of the Commonwealth to inspire children to read and write.

“I do hope you all enjoy the challenge of reading your way round the classroom map and following the journeys we make. I am sure you will also benefit enormously from your own voyage of discovery through the world of books.”

The competition responds to new research from the National Literacy Trust published in April 2012 (Clark: Young People’s Writing in 2011, National Literacy Trust, April 2012)

National Literacy Trust Director, Jonathan Douglas said:

“Our research found that children who enjoy writing very much are eight times more likely to write above the expected level for their age. We hope the competition will tap into the excitement around the Diamond Jubilee to get more children enjoying reading and writing.

“We also found that nearly half of young people (48%) think being good at writing will get them a better job. At a time when a record number of young people are unemployed the competition could help children to build vital skills for their future.”

Jessica Tomlinson, Literacy Coordinator at Manchester Academy, which has already signed up to take part in the competition, said:

“The Big Diamond Jubilee Read looks absolutely amazing.

I’m sure they will love this; it is an excellent way of encouraging them to read. They especially like learning about the Royal Family so this will also benefit our school.

We look forward to launching it with all the fantastic resources!”


Competition prizes include a winner’s certificate personally signed by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall, book vouchers (worth £50) and a family day out (worth up to £75) for the winning pupils. Their schools will receive £500 worth of books, courtesy of Oxford University Press (Diamond Reader competition), a writing workshop with a children’s author – courtesy of Oxford University Press (Diamond Writer competition) and a 12 month PRO account with Radiowaves, the award-winning safe social learning platform.

The competition is open to all UK primary schools and secondary schools (Years 7-9), as well as schools around the world.


To take part and find out more visit www.literacytrust.org.uk/competitions



About the National Literacy Trust

The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity that transforms lives through literacy. We believe that society will only be fair when everyone has the literacy skills they need to communicate, to fulfil their potential and to contribute more to society. We campaign to improve public understanding of the vital importance of literacy, as well as delivering projects and working in partnership to reach those most in need of support.

To help us transform lives through literacy, you can make a donation.  To find out how visit http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/About/donate.html

The National Literacy Trust is a registered charity, no. 1116260, and a company limited by guarantee, no. 5836486, registered in England and Wales, and a registered charity in Scotland, no. SCO42944. Registered address: 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL. Tel: 020 7587 1842.

About Oxford University Press

Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide. Oxford University Press is part of a charitable organisation with deep roots in the educational community. With a presence in more than 50 countries around the world. OUP's educational division publishes books and supporting materials for the Primary, Secondary and International markets.  Oxford University Press also publish fiction for children include the Number One home learning series Read with Biff, Chip and Kipper. Find out more at ww.oup.com or visit OUP’s free parent support website at www.oxfordowl.co.uk


About Radiowaves

Radiowaves (www.radiowaves.co.uk)  is the award winning safe social learning platform that makes it easy for schools to deliver fun learning activities through blogs, video and podcasting. It is available for FREE to any school/education group worldwide.  With over 50,000 users and 120,000+ stories and blogs already online Radiowaves is the place to hear what young people are saying.

Register for free school account with unlimited teacher and pupil accounts at www.radiowaves.co.uk/join

All content on Radiowaves is made by and for children and young people. Teachers/Group leaders can check and moderate all content and control access and privacy levels. All our staff have safety checks and are experienced in facilitating learners online. Radiowaves is available in school and anywhere via the web or the new free MakeWaves app.

Radiowaves works with partners such as WWF, British Red Cross and Action Aid to provide positive and engaging learning activities for students of all ages. Radiowaves was recently awarded Best ICT company of the year by BETT  and our work has been recommended by Department for Education.