Literacy & Oracy
Our Literacy & Oracy programme funds organisations in Greater London that develop literacy and oracy skills in primary and secondary aged people to support higher attainment, improved life chances and agency in young people. The programme aims to address the following outcomes:
- Reducing educational inequalities for children facing socio-economic disadvantage in London
- Developing and supporting literacy skills by promoting reading and writing, speaking and listening for pleasure
Literacy is the ability to read, write, speak, and listen in a way that enables us to communicate and make sense of the world. A lack of vital literacy skills holds a person back at every stage of their life.
For children and young people facing socio-economic disadvantage a lack of literacy skills can exacerbate the equality gap further. Schools have reported a decline in literacy skills, largely attributed to the loss of in-person learning during the Covid-19 pandemic. In particular oracy skills (speaking and listening) have fallen behind the expected level.
Learning Partner
The Open University Centre of Literacy and Social Justice (OU) is the learning partner for the programme, acting as support to grantees, sharing reflective practice and providing learnings.
Applying for Funding
Our latest funding programme application 2024 – 2028 (Phase 2, Cohort 2) has now closed.
Supported Cohorts
Phase 1 (Cohort 1) – National Literacy Trust (NTL) and the Reading Agency ran a joint programme called Get Islington Reading, Literacy Pirates, Doorstep Library, World Book Day, Ministry of Stories and Primary Shakespeare Company
Phase 2 (Cohort 1) – CARAS (Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers), Company Three Theatre, First Story, Theatre Peckham, UK Reads, West Ham United Foundation, Write Back
Phase 2 (Cohort 2) – Action for Refugees in Lewisham, Create Arts, Intergenerational Music Making, Ministry of Stories, Read for Good, Reading Agency