What is ‘Reading Stars’ all about?

May 15, 2013 - Age Correspondent

A reading project for kids ‘Reading Stars’, supported by Premier League footballers, has become a huge success, according to the full report released by the National Literacy Trust.

Schools that did not reach the national average in literacy or those with lots of children from economically challenged backgrounds were targeted with the scheme, that was launched by footballers like Arsenal’s Theo Walcott and even encouraged by the Duchess of Cornwall.
Close to 35,000 students participated in the program that had a dramatic effect on them. It involved visits to schools by authors, such as former FA media officer and author Dan Freedman, and was administered in 472 primary schools and 232 secondary schools. The initiative that is backed by the National Literacy Trust is supported by the Premier League and Arts Council England. 20 Premier League football players set five literacy challenges, which formed the basis of several multiple-choice quizzes children are challenged to complete online, reported The Telegraph.
Tottenham’s Clint Dempsey, Manchester United’s Chris Smalling, Liverpool’s Joe Allen and Everton’s Sylvain Distin were some of the other players who actively supported the scheme.

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