SCHOOL LIFE

Beeston youngster in running for Leeds Children’s Mayor

Poppy Frost from St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School in Beeston is amongst 12 candidates standing for the position of Leeds Children’s Mayor.

Earlier this year children in Year 5 were encouraged to write a manifesto setting out a project that they would implement if elected by the young people of the city. Poppy’s idea is help children link up across different schools through a pen pal scheme called ‘Link Through Ink.’ Here is her manifesto:

“If I was Children’s Mayor of Leeds, I would introduce a project to help children of all ages to build friendships and relationships with children from other schools across the city of Leeds. The name of this project would be ‘Link through Ink’ representing the friendships (links) that will be built through writing. This idea would provide children with the opportunity to have a pen pal of a similar age they can talk to about anything they desire. It would allow children to build bonds and learn more about other schools in their community. As a child myself, I know that lockdown has meant that children have not been able to socialise as often as they would like, so having pen pals would help children build connections in a safe and controlled manner.

“To ensure the idea is accessible to everyone, I have carefully considered cost implications. The only resources required are paper, pens, Poppy Frost from St Anthony’s Primary School

envelopes and some extra classroom time – a passionate teacher could help too! These are resources which are already available in schools. By keeping the cost low, all children can have a pen pal and together we can build a passion for writing across the city!

“The idea would benefit children of all ages across primary schools because as many people know, lockdown has potentially caused a loss of learning, impacting children across all age groups. Writing skills were particularly effected due to increased use of technology in this time. Having a pen pal would help children catch up with and develop writing skills they may have lost. As my teacher said before, having a pen pal would give an audience and true purpose for writing which is the secret to becoming a great author. Children will love building friendships with a child of a similar age in their community whilst developing writing skills for the future. Furthermore, children can learn about other schools in their city, whether it’s different beliefs, educational settings or race.

“This project could be particularly beneficial to Year 6 children who are preparing for high school; children could be partnered with someone who is attending the same high school which would ease anxieties of starting Year 7. Children would already know a name and a friend!

“Children across the city can help by promoting the project in their schools to encourage children to take part. They could design posters to display promoting the positive effects of pen pals. Children could also suggest themes/topics to be discussed or projects to share between pen pals. Classes could link up with others who are studying similar topics across the curriculum to share their knowledge. Children could also develop short lessons about writing informal letters and top tips to be shared across schools, saving teachers’ time. Schools would have a nominated pupil and teacher ambassador.”

Voting is now open for children and young people up to 18 years old. Go to bit.ly/LCMayor21 to read all 12 manifestos and cast your two votes. Voting closes at 5pm on Tuesday 12 October, with the new Children’s Mayor announced on 1 November.

Call for volunteers to support children with reading this term

Children’s literacy charity, Bookmark, is bringing its one-to-one reading programmes to primary schools in Leeds, and it’s calling for volunteers to support children online as we start this crucial new school year.

Helping a child to make progress with their reading is hugely rewarding and there’s never been a better time to get involved. Taking an hour out of your week to read, play games and chat with a child about anything from dinosaurs to distant planets might just be the perfect way to brighten up your day and give back to the community.

The programmes are currently taking place online so can all be done from a home computer or laptop. Each reading programme involves two 30-minute sessions a week, for six weeks, with a child aged five to nine. Volunteers receive full training and support and can select their session times to fit their schedule, using the Bookmark app.

Most importantly, this support could make a lasting difference to a child.

When eight-year-old Josh joined the Bookmark programme, he was reading at the level of a five-year-old, and struggling with other aspects of his schoolwork.

“Josh wasn’t able to answer very basic questions because he really couldn’t read,” teaching Support a child’s reading by volunteering with Bookmark

Start your Scouti with 1st SLAM (B

by Heather Forster

Do you want to hang out with your friends every weekhaving fun, playing games, working in a team and taking on new challenges?

Girls and boys aged 6-14 are welcome at 1st SLAM (Beeston) Scout Group, meeting at St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cardinal Road, Leeds LS11 8AG.

Joining Beavers (6-8 years) is just the beginning of your big adventure. Cubs (8-10½ years) allows you to develop new skills and soar to great heights. The Scout section (10½-14 years) will let you take on new challenges and new adventures.

We help young people to step up, speak up and gain the skills they need to succeed in life.

Beavers meet

Wednesday 6-7.30pm

Cubs meet

Friday 6.15- 7.45pm

Scouts meet

Friday 8- 9.30pm.

For further information about our group please email: info@1stbeestonscouts.com or checkout our website: 1stbeestonscouts.com

For information about other groups in the district email: enquiries@slamscouts.org.uk

Cubs and Beavers work as a team on a

assistant Gabby explained. “It would make him very stressed because he didn’t understand. He would get very frustrated and give up on his work easily.”

Since working with a Bookmark volunteer, Josh’s reading has improved dramatically and his teachers have noticed his confidence growing.

“There was a really positive shift towards him starting his work by himself,” Gabby said. “His confidence to speak up in class has improved as well. He never used to want to respond to questions, but now even if he’s wrong, he tries.”

Josh’s volunteer Tia has also found it a really positive experience. She started volunteering when she was furloughed during the first lockdown.

“Josh was very bright, and we would have long conversations about deep sea creatures and dinosaurs. He also loved medals, so in one session I showed him an old medal that I have, belonging to a relative. He absolutely loved it!”

“Really the best thing about the programme is getting a laugh from your reader, really making a connection with them and hearing them make progress

ing adventure Beeston) Scouts

with their reading, from one session to the next. I just felt satisfied that I had done something worthwhile.”

Bookmark is recruiting volunteers now to read with children this September. To find out more, visit bookmarkreading.org/volunteer

Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on children’s education. One in four children had no schooling or tutoring at all during lockdown, and school closures are estimated to have undone 10 years of progress in narrowing the attainment gap for disadvantaged children.

As a Bookmark volunteer, you’ll help to stop that trend.

You’ll help children who struggle with their reading gain essential skills at a crucial age. This will prepare them to move up the school, ready to tackle new challenges without falling further behind. Three quarters of our volunteers noticed their reader become more confident with their reading.

You’ll hake learning to read fun by bringing your own personality into the sessions and getting to know your reader’s interests. It’s amazing when you introduce a book, comic or poem for the first time that they love! 90% of teachers said that pupils enjoy reading more after our programme.

You’ll give a child one-to-one attention and be a role model. Teachers have told us that children really benefit from this dedicated time and found it boosted their self-esteem and confidence as well as their reading.

Taking time out of your day to read with a child can help to support your own wellbeing by adding a new experience to your week. Discussing books with a child can change your perspective and it is also a great excuse to revisit your favourite childhood reads.

To find out more, visit bookmarkreading.org/volunteer today. Outdoor activities are part of Scouting