GWR grant to help improve pupils’ reading and writing skills in Swindon

The trust is aiming to inspire with two initiatives through its Swindon Stories Literacy Hub. Young Poets Swindon will provide memorable experiences to inspire 180 Year 7 students, while a Reading Adventures competition will aim to reach 300 youngsters in Key Stage 2.

As part of GWR’s franchise agreement with the Department for Transport, the train operator is committed to supporting schools, colleges, community and other not-for-profit organisations by aiding a number of initiatives.

Research shows children entering secondary school in Swindon have low levels of reading skills and writing attainment, according to NLT programme manager James Kingett.

James said:

“We aim to address these two issues with a project delivered in schools to improve writing skills in Year 7 pupils, and a competition designed to promote reading for pleasure in KS2 pupils. 

“The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity working with schools and communities to give disadvantaged children the literacy skills to succeed in life. 

 “National Literacy Trust Hubs create long-term change in communities where low levels of literacy are entrenched, intergenerational and seriously impacting on people’s lives. We also support parents and families. Parents and the home learning environment have the greatest effect on how a child develops language and literacy skills.” 

Young Poets Swindon will be delivered in the first half of the Autumn Term 2021. Year 7 students at two of the town’s schools will be joined by a poet on a bespoke guided walk to a local attraction, take part in poetry workshops and attend a celebration event to share their work.

The Reading Adventures competition will run through the summer holidays and include three book giveaway events at popular locations around the town. Children will be invited to take part in a competition based on ‘a voyage to a distant land’, with winners receiving a pack of books to continue their reading adventure.

South Swindon MP Robert Buckland and North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson said:

“We are delighted to see Great Western Railway supporting Swindon and Wiltshire like this. It is important that we all work together as we start the recovery from Covid-19 and that means supporting local communities wherever we can. 

“It is particularly pleasing to see support for the National Literacy Trust for their work in Swindon. They will do a great job with the Young Poets and Reading Adventures and it will be wonderful to see the stories they come up with."

GWR Community Manager Emma Morris said:

“We have a specific pot of money designed to help support schools, colleges and community or other not-for-profit organisations.

“The National Literacy Trust works closely with schools and communities to give disadvantaged children the literacy skills to succeed in life and we were please to support this project.”

To find out more about the National Literacy Trust please visit literacytrust.org.uk

To find out more about Swindon Stories please visit literacytrust.org.uk/communities/swindon/

Notes to editors

First Greater Western Limited, trading as “Great Western Railway” (GWR), operates trains across the Great Western franchise area, which includes South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, across southern England and into London. GWR provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services, and before the covid-19 pandemic helped over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year. GWR was recently awarded an extension to its direct award franchise (called DA3), which shall run up to 31 March 2023 with an option to extend for a further year. 

Find out more here: https://www.gwr.com/about-us