Whatever it Takes is Leicester’s city-wide initiative to get every child in Leicester reading. It has been in operation since 2010 and is funded by schools. The initiative is a collaborative approach focused on raising literacy levels across the city and dedicated to ensuring that, as a city, we are ALL reading for pleasure.
Why was WiT created?
WiT began in 2010 because research and data showed:
- Around 25% of children in Leicester did not attain their age-related standard for reading at the end of primary school.
- Each year around 350 children transferred to Year 7 below NC level 3, costing secondary schools an extra £1min additional support.
- The average cost to the public purse for each individual without functional literacy (up to age 37) is estimated to be between £44,000 to £53,000 per year.
What happened next?
WiT was formed as a partnership between Schools Forum, Leicester Primary Partnership (previously City Primary Heads), Secondary Education Improvement Partnership, Leicester City Council, NUT and the SDSA. Together they established a 10 year strategy dedicated to creating city-wide momentum around the teaching and enjoyment of reading.
14 years on...
WiT continues to successfully co-ordinate central events, training and projects for schools which aim to:
- Provide inspiration and contribute to helping build a positive reading culture.
- Support the training and development of staff in schools who lead, teach and support reading activities.
- Help schools provide effective, targeted work for some of their more vulnerable learners.
- Provide better value for schools through the benefits of economies of scale when schools work together.
Dedicated project work and effective planning by reading practitioners secure a sense of purpose and value for money across these projects that contribute to WIT’s continuing success.
Working in Partnership
Leicester Libraries Neighbourhood Services and Creative Learning Services (CLS) have been a key supporter of the Whatever it Takes initiative since its launch in 2010. Their support and contributions have been, and continue to be, invaluable to the success of the initiative.
![](https://whatever-it-takes.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/MG_8238.jpg)
For more information about specific projects and events please take the time to browse our website.
For any questions, please either email wit@sdsa.net or call 0116 299 5942.