Bath & North East Somerset Council has been awarded a share of £30,000 to improve children’s literacy skills through an innovative singing project.
Teams of singing specialists will put on workshops at primary schools aimed at helping pupils who struggle with their English skills. The sessions build confidence and competency.
Councillor Dine Romero (Lib-Dem, Southdown), Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children & Youth, said: “I am delighted that Bath & North East Somerset Council has secured this grant which will help hundreds of children improve their literacy skills in a fun and innovative manner.”
The project will work with up to 500 children, each of whom will be encouraged to complete an arts award programme devised specifically for primary schools.
The singing sessions will culminate in a mass performance in July 2015 which will also feature the premiere of five new songs by Lin Marsh, a highly sought-after composer who specialises in writing vocal works for young people.
Rainer Dolz, Manager of Music Service for Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “This is a great opportunity to work with schools which we know have high numbers of children for whom English is an additional language or where they struggle with their literacy.
“We look forward to developing their English skills through singing.”
The £30,000 grant from the Youth Music Foundation is shared with South Gloucestershire Council.
