UKHO Scoops Education Award - United Kingdom Hydrographic ...

13 March 2009
UKHO Scoops Education Award
Pictured with their BUSINESS AWARD sponsored by Business Link are left
to right, Ian Killick Paul Impey and Emma Wise from the UK Hydrographic Office
with Richard Adams and Rose Bennett from Halcon Community Primary School.
The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has been rewarded by
education and business leaders for supporting a reading programme for
primary school pupils.
The UKHO was nominated for recognition in the 2009 Somerset Education
Business Awards by Halcon Community Primary School for the significant
contribution made by staff to the Right to Read Scheme over the last three
years.
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The Right to Read Scheme is a project to promote the importance of literacy
and seeks to engage volunteers from businesses to become reading partners
with children aged 5-11 years old.
Since 2006 a dedicated group of UKHO volunteers has been visiting the
Taunton school on a weekly basis during term time to help pupils improve
their reading skills.
UKHO Right to Read scheme co-ordinator, Emma Wise, said: “As a result of
the scheme children are showing an average of six months improvement in
reading age in just 12 weeks.
“However, the scheme is more than just a commitment to improving literacy
standards. Working closely with the children, and giving them individual
attention, helps them to gain confidence and enjoy the learning experience. It
is very satisfying to see them develop and flourish.”
And Halcon Community Primary School headteacher, Richard Adams, said:
“The UKHO staff act as positive role models and build positive relationships
with the children. The Right to Read Scheme has made an effective
contribution in the raising of children’s reading ages, with many pupils
doubling their rate of progress.”
UKHO Right to Read representatives Emma Wise, Paul Impey and Ian Killick
collected the Business Award at the awards ceremony, organised by
Somerset Education Business Partnership, on Wednesday (March 11)
evening.
The 2009 Education Business Awards event, held at the offices of Western
Provident Association in Taunton, provided a showcase for successful
partnerships and initiatives between schools, colleges and businesses.
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Somerset EBP manager, John Crew, said: “When you consider how difficult it
is for businesses in the middle of this recession it is very encouraging to see
that here in Somerset there is still a great commitment to fostering strong links
with the workforce in the future.”
And BBC Points West television presenter, Sally Challoner, who hosted the
evening said: “It is wonderful to see the creativity and enthusiasm on display.
It bodes well for the future of the Somerset workforce.”
For more information contact:
Tamsin Hodge, UKHO Media Manager
01823 337900 ext 3706
tamsin.hodge@ukho.gov.uk
ENDS
Notes for Editors
1. The UKHO, which is part of the Ministry of Defence, has been charting the world’s oceans
for more than 200 years with the primary aim of providing navigational services for the
Royal Navy and merchant mariners to save and protect lives at sea. In addition it also
serves the small craft and leisure mariners and provides a range of consultancy services.
2. The UKHO produces a worldwide series of some 3,300 paper nautical charts and 160
publications under the Admiralty brand and has a growing portfolio of Electronic
Navigational Charts (ENCs). These charts are sold globally and used by nearly 70 per
cent of international shipping.
3. The UKHO is a Trading Fund which means it is a government agency owned by the MoD
with the freedom to trade commercially to generate revenue and cover running costs.
4. The UKHO also plays a central role, in support of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency,
in discharging the navigation element of the UK’s Safety of Life at Sea Treaty obligations
for waters of UK national responsibility.