Exciting ways to support literacy in school.

A round-up of grants and competition opportunities for schools to boost funds and support literacy initiatives:

Clore Poetry and Literature Awards

The awards range from £1,000 and £10,000 and fund poetry and literacy initiatives for children and young people. It is open to UK schools, arts and cultural organisations and established community groups. Round 7 is now open and the closing date for entries is 6th March 2015. To give you an example of a previous grant recipient, Formby High School in Lancashire received £4,000 for their project ‘Slam our Town!’ As part of the project, pupils took part in a workshop with a local performance poet before competing in a poetry slam competition.

http://www.cloreduffield.org.uk/Grant_Programmes/Clore_Poetry_and_Literature_Awards.htm

Ernest Cook Trust

Grants of up to £4,000 are available through the Ernest Cook Trust’s small grants programme. The Trust supports projects that aim to raise levels of literacy, as well projects focused on the countryside, the arts and science. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

http://ernestcooktrust.org.uk/grants/

Oxford Owl – Free eBooks

A great website offering 250 tablet friendly eBooks to support children’s reading and maths. Click on the ‘Home’ version of Oxford Owl for free access.

http://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home

National Literacy Trust – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’s Magical Reading Tour

This is a reading challenge for pupils aged between 5 and 11 years. Pupils go on a magical reading tour, where they are challenged to complete 10 hours of reading, both at home and at school, in order to fuel Chitty’s tank. They keep a ‘Driver’s Log’ and every pupil who successfully completes the challenge will be entered into a national prize draw. Prizes include an eReader, book vouchers and a school library makeover worth £500. A certificate is available to download to give to all entrants. The deadline for entries is 16th November 2014.

http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/schools_teaching/competitions/chitty_chitty_bang_bang

National Literacy Trust – My Words, My World

This writing competition for secondary schools challenges pupils to put themselves in the shoes of a journalist and research and write a feature article for a newspaper or magazine on an issue of their choice. Pupils can work individually or in small groups. Entries will be reviewed by a judging panel of journalists and teachers. The winning article will be featured in children’s newspaper First News. There are also prizes of book vouchers and a journalistic writing workshop. The deadline for entries is 16th November 2014.

http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/schools_teaching/competitions/my_words_my_world

Good luck if you’re applying for a grant or entering a competition – don’t miss out on these great opportunities!