Bradford schools get £600k to boost literacy

The project found that 90% of teachers have seen an improvement in wellbeing

Five Bradford schools are to get £600,000 to improve children's literacy skills and mental health.

The money is funding The Story Project, which trains teachers how to "harness the power of storytelling".

The city's Bowling Park, Horton Park, Beckfoot Heaton, Beckfoot Allerton and Newby primary schools are all taking part in the scheme.

The education charity SHINE awarded the money and it is expected the project will be rolled out over three years.

The Story Project will use "popular, diverse and engaging" children's stories to teach youngsters skills that support their wellbeing.

It is the creation of former English teacher Olivia Richards, who won a Let Teachers SHINE award in 2019 to develop the idea.

Ms Richards said: "Training the first five schools has been such a pleasurable experience due to the clear commitment and passion from these schools to improve children's wellbeing and literacy.

"We feel very privileged to be able to support schools in their determination to do this and very grateful to SHINE and its donors for enabling us to do this."

Five schools across Bradford are taking part

It was found that 90% of teachers said they saw an improvement in children's wellbeing and 76% saw an improvement in literacy after using the resources.

This success led to SHINE awarding this latest round of funding to benefit schools in areas of high deprivation across Bradford.

Gareth Baterip, headteacher at Newby Primary School, said: "We know the power of stories as a vehicle to spark thought and imagination - what better way to explore mental health than through story time?"

Danny Weldon, assistant headteacher at Bowling Park Primary School, added: "We hope that the programme will enhance our children's emotional literacy, while giving the time and space and vocabulary to discuss big feelings."