Henry Smith MP has given his support to the ‘Read On. Get On.’ campaign, which supports better literacy standards in schools.

Henry said;

“I am pleased to back the ‘Read On. Get On.’ campaign. I have highlighted the impact that a disadvantaged background can have on a child’s chances of success at school and therefore of success later on in life.”

Henry wrote an article on Politics Home, on behalf of a coalition of charities and other stakeholders, in support of the campaign.

Henry continued;

“This Government has done huge amounts in an attempt to raise standards for all children, but particularly the poorest. This year, we introduced a new and improved curriculum which will better challenge pupils, and ensure that they’re equipped with the necessary tools to go on to further learning later on.

“We introduced the Pupil Premium, additional funding attached to the most disadvantaged children and worth £2.5billion this year. This crucial extra support, targeted at the poorest children creates enormous potential for schools to help those children catch up.”

Nicky Morgan MP, Secretary of State for Education, commented;

“This brilliant campaign will help us all to make a real difference to the lives of millions of children and I hope that the whole country will get behind it.”

Sir John Major, Prime Minister from 1990 to 1997, said;

“Ensuring all children are reading well by the age of 11 would represent a huge step towards creating a society where it is the skills and efforts of a child that determine how they succeed in life, not the accident of birth. That is why I am delighted to support the ‘Read On. Get On.’ campaign.”

To read Henry’s article in full, please visit www.henrysmith.info/news/henry-smith-mp-article-supporting-read-get-campaign