Child literacy strategy ‘bearing fruit’ in Cardiff
Standards of literacy among Cardiff schoolchildren have risen dramatically since a new campaign was launched two years ago.
According to the South Wales Echo, hundreds of pupils in the Welsh capital have improved their reading and writing skills due to the Cardiff Council scheme.
The newspaper reported that one-quarter of all children leaving Cardiff primary schools were illiterate in 2009, whereas 90 per cent of youngsters can now read to required levels.
Known as Reading Power, the local authority's initiative is fronted by a team of cartoon superheroes who encourage parents to help improve literacy among children.
Strategy leader Jane Holland told the newspaper: "There are many elements to the literacy strategy that are making a big difference to literacy levels in Cardiff.
"The superhero characters are now widely recognised and are helping spread the message that reading is cool."
She added that literacy levels in Cardiff primary schools have risen by six per cent in the last two years.
The Reading Power website contains a list of recommended books for certain age groups and tips to help parents improve their child's reading skills.
