Too many people in Coventry can't read and write properly says National Literacy Trust

Coventry's north eastern area has low average literacy levels according to research



Part of Coventry is on a list of the worst 20 places in England for people being unable to read and write properly.

The Coventry North East parliamentary constituency is at number 18 on the list of places where residents most need help with reading and writing.

It’s the area of Coventry where children are most likely to have left school without basic literacy skills.

The list was drawn up jointly by charity the National Literacy Trust and information company Experian.

Inner city areas are most likely to appear on the list.

Middlesbrough is the place with the worst reading and writing skills and North East Hampshire has the best record.

Coventry North East has a wide demographic mix, with above UK average level of social housing and unemployment, but income is close to the UK average.

The constituency has a large ethnic minority population, mainly Sikhs and Muslims and one ward, Foleshill, has a majority ethnic minority population.

Coventry North East MP Colleen Fletcher said: “Whilst it is disappointing that Coventry North East has such low levels of literacy there is a clear correlation between levels of deprivation and literacy.

“The last Labour government invested heavily in schools and adult education, unfortunately the government has recently announced a new funding formula for schools which will see funding cut from Coventry schools whilst adult education has also been slashed as a result of cuts to local government funding.

“Improving literacy requires sustained, long term commitment to the areas of highest need which is sadly lacking from this government.”

Cllr Kevin Maton, who represents the Henley ward for Labour on Coventry City Council , said: “Ninety-six per cent of our primary schools in Coventry are good or outstanding.

“We are doing everything we can to keep libraries open and are working with voluntary organisations.

“We are addressing adult literacy though our adult education service, however the government is reducing the funding for adult education.”

Ask any employer whether he thinks “Ninety-six per cent of our primary schools in Coventry are good or outstanding"?

As someone who has recruited youngsters, I can tell you that many of them are simply unemployable! - And that includes graduates as well as school leavers!

Regards this article, in all honesty I can't help but see immigrant populations. Is it any surprise that kids coming from schools attended by high populations of immigrants where English is not their first language are being held back? A class can only move as fast as its slowest pupil.

I don't have any answers, but over the last 45 odd years I've noticed the education system declining in general. Sadly, this has a knock on effect for the rest of the kids' lives.

Just looking at that capital (I) in the picture speaks volumes on how the children are being taught.
This is how I was taught link below in the juniors but then I was taught by a Welsh teacher the school was run by a Welsh headmaster.

I had to teach my children how to write real writing in the 70s one english teacher in Coundon Court wrote a letter home stating he could not read my sons writing so I taught him I of course replied saying I was a copy typist having to type out hand written letters at City Electrical Factors and it took me hours to work out what he had written the teacher that is.

Take note of captial I J T especially. By the way there were 32 pupils in most classes then.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=real+ ... 8K_wrkaYnM: