New programme from the National Literacy Trust supports girls in alternative provision education

by Educate Magazine June 16, 2022 · Education News

The National Literacy Trust has developed an inspiring new programme, Represent, for girls aged 11 to 14 in alternative provision, who have been excluded from, or who are at risk of being excluded from mainstream education.

Government data shows that in the 2019/2020 academic year, 1,200 girls were permanently excluded from school in the UK. It is important to make sure these young women do not slip through gaps in the education system, and that they are equipped with the skills needed for a successful future. Literacy is essential to succeed in life, opening up employment opportunities, enabling young people to engage with the community, and increasing social mobility.

Thanks to funding support from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), the National Literacy Trust is able to offer the Represent programme for free. Represent’s summer programme has already reached over 125 educational settings and over 1,250 pupils.

The programme is suitable for mainstream secondary schools and alternative provision settings and enables teachers, teaching assistants and sports coaches from football club foundations to support vulnerable girls and young women through this 10-session programme that has been tailored to their needs.

Represent uses specially curated texts to engage these girls and young women in discussions about stories shared, encouraging a deeper understanding of the work, as well as supporting literacy skills development. The selection of diverse, empowering texts was carefully chosen to allow the young women to see themselves reflected in the content.