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Top reading initiatives in Kent and Medway schools will have their chance to shine following a flood of entries to the inaugural Kent Literacy Awards.
Fifty nominations have been received for the brand new event with organisations backing the awards being bowled over by the quality of entries.
This week the judges have the tough task of selecting the winning schemes and the results will be revealed on Tuesday, June 23.
Herne Bay-based business Social Enterprise Kent (SEK) is among the competition judges keen to name the initiatives making the biggest impact in the classroom.
Loral Haywood, marketing and events officer for SEK, said: “These awards are a county-wide celebration of positive contributions to literacy and the standard of nominations received has been exceptionally high.
“We support any initiatives that encourage good literacy skills amongst pupils and are looking forward to attending the awards ceremony."
Robin Evans of Clarkson Wright and Jakes Ltd, another key partner of the awards, said: “Initiatives to develop reading, writing, speaking and listening skills are key to all children, especially in the digital age.”
He added: “More and more aspects of our daily lives are becoming influenced by communication through tablets and mobiles. If we’re not careful we are at risk of creating a generation without the vital speaking and listening skills that are developed through literacy and comprehension at an early age.”
Award nominations were submitted by pupils, parents and members of school staff for the top literacy themes, schemes and projects at their school.
Categories include best use of IT, best writing topic, best use of art or drama, best library, and best book week theme.
An award ceremony, organised by the KM Charity Team, will be staged at Hempstead House Hotel near Sittingbourne on Tuesday, June 23.
The winning initiatives will be published and distributed to schools across Kent, Medway and Bexley to share best practice.
Organisations supporting the Kent Literacy Awards include Kent County Council, Medway Council, Mini Babybel, Specsavers, The Ernest Cook Trust, Orbit South, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Leeds Castle, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Beanstalk, Clarkson Wright and Jakes Ltd, Canterbury Tales, Social Enterprise Kent, and Southern Educational Leadership Trust.