WITHAM MP Dame Priti Patel has once again launched her reading programme to help children with their reading skills.

On Friday, July 5, Dame Priti, joined primary schools across the Witham constituency to launch the 13th anniversary of Get Witham Reading. 

Get Witham Reading is Dame Priti’s landmark literacy programme with schools taking part from across the Braintree, Maldon and Colchester city districts.

The initiative was launched in 2012 children’s literacy levels in the constituency were below the national average.

At the time, national statistics highlighted that one in six pupils were leaving school without gaining the literacy skills expected of an 11-year-old.

This year, more than 1500 pupils participated in the event, engaging in a range of interactive reading and literacy activities, all based on the theme of the 2024 Olympics, which are taking place in Paris, France. 

A total of nine schools have taken part in Get Witham Reading this year.

These are Powers Hall Academy, Terling Church of England, Templars Academy, Chipping Hill Primary School, St Luke’s Church of England Primary School, Feering Church of England Primary School, Lakelands Primary School, St Andrew’s Junior School and Infant School in Hatfield Peverel. 

Powers Hall Academy hosted the launch event for Get Witham Reading this year, and Dame Priti joined co-headteachers Dan Sheehan and Maxine Harrington, alongside local children’s book author Samantha Hammerson, and the chief executive of Inspires MAT, Ceri Jones, to kick off the days proceedings.

Dame Priti presented the children with 300 books provided through her own personal donations and with the support of World Book Day.

In addition, she also presented the children with certificates, bookmarks and stickers to celebrate the event. 

Dame Priti said: "It was wonderful to join pupils and teachers taking part in this year’s Get Witham Reading.

"I am extremely proud that this initiative has been so successful over the years, and I am pleased that after my re-election, this is my first engagement as the Member of Parliament for Witham.

"Primary schools in my constituency have been doing a stellar job in driving pupil outcomes, especially when it comes to literacy skills.

"I want to particularly highlight the important work done by Mr Ceri Jones who has been an amazing CEO of Inspires MAT and how well his schools have been doing."