đź“° Adult Literacy News Summary

Literacy charity seeks primary schools and businesses to boost reading

15-Sep-2025 - UK

Literacy charity Chapter One will launch its unique Online Reading Volunteers Programme in Warrington in January 2026 and is looking for primary schools and local businesses to get involved. The programme will see children aged 5-8 receive weekly 30-minute online reading sessions with volunteers from local and national businesses, all designed to build confidence and spark a love for reading at a crucial stage in their development.

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Building confidence in literacy can change lives

11-Sep-2025 - Ireland

For pub owner and suckler farmer Declan Walsh from Woodford, Co Galway, school was never easy. Struggling with literacy skills from a young age, Declan always dreaded reading aloud in class. Declan’s story is just one – but there are approximately 700,000 adults in Ireland with unmet literacy needs. Results of a survey, ran by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reported, one in five adults in Ireland scored at or below Level 1 in Literacy, meaning they struggle with tasks like reading instructions, filling out forms or using digital media.

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Minister Marian Harkin Congratulates the National Adult Literacy Agency on Winning UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy

11-Sep-2025 - Ireland

The National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) received one of three UNESCO Confucius Prizes for Literacy, which were established in 2005 with the support of the Government of the People’s Republic of China. These awards focus on literacy programmes that harness technology to promote functional literacy, particularly among adults in rural areas and out-of-school youth.

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Saffron Walden Inner Wheel Club to hold charity fundraiser

10-Sep-2025 - UK

THE Inner Wheel Club of Saffron Walden is holding a fundraising coffee morning to support an international literacy charity. All funds raised will go towards Literacy in a Box, which sends educational resources to schools in poverty around the world. Literacy in a Box started with the aim of providing a regular supply of school resources to a few schools, ensuring uninterrupted educational progress.

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Make a difference to a child’s life-chances: Volunteer with Schoolreaders in Doncaster

10-Sep-2025 - UK

As the UK's largest in-school literacy charity, Schoolreaders is seeking passionate volunteers to inspire a love of reading among primary school children across Doncaster. Schoolreaders is a national charity dedicated to enhancing children’s literacy by providing volunteers who support 1:1 reading sessions in primary schools. Our mission is to ensure every child can become a confident reader, unlocking greater opportunities for their future. In the past decade, Schoolreaders volunteers have facilitated over 1 million reading sessions, and currently support over 35,000 children each week.

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Gwynedd Community Learning Partnership praised

10-Sep-2025 - UK

The Gwynedd & Môn Community Learning Partnership chaired by Grŵp Llandrillo Menai has been praised by Estyn for its strong vision, inclusive teaching, and positive impact on learners across Gwynedd and Anglesey. In its latest inspection report, Estyn highlights how the partnership helps adults develop essential skills, improve confidence, and re-engage with education.

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University graduates in England have same literacy skills as those leaving school in Finland, OECD

09-Sep-2025 - UK

University graduates in England only have the same literacy levels as school-leavers in Finland, new data shows. A study reveals average reading skills among those with a degree here were almost the same as those in Finland who only had school-level education. The findings are from the latest annual education report of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

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New podcast recorded in Strandhill studio aims to create a pathway into adult literacy

09-Sep-2025 - Ireland

Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB) has launched Get Lit, a new monthly podcast designed to share real stories, practical supports, and pathways into adult literacy. Each episode will feature learners, tutors, local partners, and special guests, highlighting the skills that help adults build stronger futures in reading, writing, numeracy, and digital literacy while raising awareness of unmet literacy needs across society

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Wales could fall behind Romania in education standards

07-Sep-2025 - UK

That is the warning from a new report by the think tank Onward, which compared the performance of Welsh students to international benchmarks. In the most recent PISA results, Welsh pupils scored 30 points lower than their peers in England in both reading and science, and 26 points lower in maths—equivalent to a full year of lost learning.

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Downpours didn't deter success of town's Open House Arts Trail

05-Sep-2025 - UK

While local artists were able to sell paintings, the general public paid admission for the event – with all the money going to local charities, Read Easy Bridgnorth and Shropshire Domestic Abuse. Organiser, Louise Holland, said despite poor weather affecting ticket sales during the event, it still raised £3,500 for the charities.

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