Literacy awards backed by star children’s author

The creator of Percy the Park Keeper will be a special speaker at the event and award-winners will be able to chat with him during a ‘meet and greet’ session. They will also be able to get any copies of his books they may own signed by him, as well as buy his latest Percy book, One Springy Day.

In addition Mr Butterworth will present a free signed copy of his new book to an award-winner of his choice.

He said: “I’m delighted to support the awards as they celebrate and showcase the excellent initiatives being used in the region’s schools. Well done to all those who go well beyond the call of duty to excite children with reading and improve vital literacy skills.”

Mr Butterworth’s first children’s book, B B Blacksheep and Company, was published in 1981. Since then his books have sold 15 million copies in 30 languages worldwide.

His books include Q Pootle 5, Tiger, and The Whisperer, and he is particularly well-known for his stories about Percy the Park Keeper, which was made into an animated TV series with Jim Broadbent voicing the title role.

The Kent Literacy Awards are organised by the KM Charity Team for whom Mr Butterworth acts as a literacy ambassador. The event aims to celebrate and share best practice in Primary and Secondary schools across the south east by recognising initiatives that develop reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.

There are 18 categories from which to choose including ‘Most engaging writing topic’, ‘Best school library’ and ‘Best use of art or poetry’.

Nominations are accepted from teachers, support staff, and management and the deadline for submitting them is 1 May 2019.

Awards coordinator Karen Brinkman said: “Nick first got involved with the Kent Literacy Awards in 2017, and it’s such a vindication of their value to have him on board again this year. The awards aim to celebrate and publicise the hard work undertaken in school to transform the educational performance and life prospects of children across the south east.”

She continued: “We believe it’s really important that other educators have the chance to learn about successful and innovative projects, so they can apply those approaches themselves and their pupils can benefit from them too. I would urge schools to nominate any of their literacy initiatives, large or small, that have been a hit with their students.”

Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges including representatives from Coram Beanstalk, the Crown Foundation, Golding Vision, McCabe Ford Williams, Tribeca Technology Group, University of Kent, Reed Education, The Education People, KM Facilities Management and Hempstead House, where the winners will be announced at a ceremony in July.

Submit nominations and find out more at the Kent Literacy Awards website

Contact Details

Karen Brinkman
Telephone: 08442 640291
Email: kbrinkman@thekmgroup.co.uk