Technology is often blamed for the demise of the printed word – but can IT actually help children learn to read? The Kent Literacy Awards are looking for schools who think it can.

The annual awards, which are now open for entries, have a special category for best use of technology to improve literacy – with last year’s winner, Oaklands School in Chatham, carrying off the honours after setting up its own radio station.

Run by the KM Charity Team, the awards have the backing of global IT company Tribeca, based in Sittingbourne – whose managing director Mark Instance knows about the importance of communication both as a company director, and as a parent.

“Literacy is something that’s very important to our management team,” Mr Instance explained. “We’ve all got children at school who are striving hard to improve their literacy.”

He added: “We're involved with a number of schools in the county and with further education with Mid Kent College; it's very important to us to promote education at all levels.”

Marketing manager Robert Blake said: "We encourage everybody within the company to continue their development and their learning once they're with the business.

“This can involve being qualified at a higher level for one's job, vocational training that can help someone progress within the business - which ultimately means we can offer a better service to our clients."

The awards are open to primary and secondary schools in Kent, Medway, Bexley, and Bromley who have been running projects to encourage reading, writing, speaking or listening – anything from a book quiz to a film week.

The winners will be invited to a ceremony at the Hempstead House Hotel in Sittingbourne in June. Their work will also be featured in a pack sent to every school in Kent, Medway, Bexley, and Bromley, so their ideas and achievements can inspire others.

The Kent Literacy Awards are supported by Orbit housing association, Whitefriars, Beanstalk, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), KM Facilities Management Group, Kent County Council, Reed Education, DDS Environmental, McCabe Ford Williams, Hempstead House hotel, Specsavers, Medway Council, and the London Borough of Bexley.

To enter before the deadline of Friday, April 27, visit www.kentliteracyawards.co.uk