Sunday was International Literacy Day, and we’re looking back at Cumbrians’ capacity for reading and writing.


Since 1967, annual celebrations have taken place on September 8 to remind policymakers, practitioners and the public of the critical importance of literacy for creating a more just, peaceful, and sustainable society. 
Organised by UNESCO, the day asserts this as a fundamental human right for all, opening the door to other human rights, greater freedoms, and global citizenship. Yet in 2022, at least one out of seven people aged 15 and above (765 million) lacked basic literacy skills.
Additionally, millions of children are struggling to acquire minimum levels of proficiency in reading, writing and numeracy, while 250 million children of six to 18 years old are out of school. 
Literacy has always been embraced in Cumbria and our main image shows Alan Chelton reading to his youngest daughter Emily Grace, two. Alan learned to read and write after taking up a literacy course at the Millom Network Centre and in 2013, said it had turned his life around.

(Image: Stuart Walker)
Pictured above are Sandra Kirkpatrick and Honey-Rose Mattinson in the new literacy room at Brook Street Primary School in Carlisle.

(Image: Milton Haworth)
Above is a literacy class at Low Furness School, with Evening Mail reporter Paul Berentzen chatting to pupils about journalism.

(Image: Paul Johnson)

(Image: Paul Johnson)

A work experience week at Ewanrigg Junior School in 2015 gave Netherhall School pupils Niall Gray and Jack McCoubrey the chance to help younger children with their reading and writing.
SiennaTaylor-Green, aged four, from Kingmoor, enjoyed a literacy swap day involving pupils from Newlaithes and Kingmoor Infant Schools.

(Image: Newsquest)

Seaton Academy was praised by the Department of Education for its phonics screening programme in 2014. Pictured from left are Sienna Foster, headteacher Lesley Grace, Danny McCartney, literacy coordinator Debbie Midwood and Niamh Henderson.

(Image: Newsquest)
When Cumbria County Council’s mobile children’s library visited Norman Street School in Carlisle, literacy coordinator Vicky Ewing took the opportunity to read to the children.

(Image: Newsquest)

Our final picture shows year eight Walney School pupil Aiden Cooksey reading to Low Furness Primary School’s Mia Neild and Isla Robertson as part of a project to develop literacy skills.