Latest news with #FrankCottrell-Boyce
Edinburgh Reporter
25-06-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Government pledges more funding for the Edinburgh International Book Festival
A grant of £300,000 announced on Wednesday morning by The Scottish Government to the Edinburgh International Book Festival will ensure the continuation of free events for schoolchildren. This funding will replace financial backing from Baillie Gifford which was lost last year after protests against the investment company's involvement in fossil fuel industries. Baillie Gifford was the major sponsor of the schools programme. This year there will be more than 60 in-person and livestreamed events, including author talks with How to Train Your Dragon author Cressida Cowell and award-winning storyteller Frank Cottrell-Boyce. The grant will also maintain travel cost support and free tickets for pupils whose families are unable to cover the cost of ticketed events, ensuring young people of all backgrounds in Edinburgh have the chance to take part in the internationally renowned festival. Children attending will also receive a free book through the philanthropy of Book Festival donors. The Scottish Government also announced that it is spending an additional £4 million on Scottish festivals in Edinburgh and Glasgow. This is part of a commitment by the government to invest an additional £100 million annually in arts and culture by 2028-29. Creative Scotland has already awarded the Edinburgh International Book Festival £1,88 million in public multi-year funding for the next three years, more than doubling previous support. Minister for Business and Employment Richard Lochhead said: 'The Edinburgh International Book Festival is one the country's most significant cultural institutions. Its schools programme has been crucial in fostering literacy and cultural engagement among young people, with thousands of pupils benefiting annually from free events and resources. 'This funding secures those benefits for young readers across Edinburgh, helping schools that might otherwise struggle with travel costs, and ensuring they have the same opportunity to take part in one of the world's leading literary festivals.' Jenny Niven, Festival Director & CEO of Edinburgh International Book Festival said: 'The work the Book Festival does for children and young people is a cornerstone of what we do. Publishing for children and young people has never been more vibrant, and the benefits of reading never better evidenced. 'The Festival is perfectly positioned to help children engage with the amazing range and breadth of stories around them, to support teachers to use books imaginatively and creatively in learning, and to supply older kids with the tools to think critically, and learn to evaluate the deluge of info around them. This aspect of what we do is vital, and we're delighted to have specific public funding support to develop this work further in the coming years. 'We've identified the cost of transport as a key barrier to a wider cohort of schools joining us in August, and are committed to maintaining free access for as many children as possible. We're delighted that the Scottish Government's increased support for festivals has delivered public funding to develop this work further in the coming years and we look forward to widening our reach across Scotland and exploring further the digital potential of what we do.' Earlier protest at The Edinburgh International Book Festival in 2023. © 2023 Martin McAdam Baillie Gifford funding ended last year In August last year the book festival board announced they would end their 20 year relationship with Baillie Gifford. At the time Allan Little, chair of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: 'Our team cannot be expected to deliver a safe and sustainable festival this August under the constant threat of disruption from activists. This was a pragmatic response to that reality. 'Funding for the arts is now in a perilous position and we should all be clear that without the support of our partners and donors, the future of festivals like ours – and all of the benefits these events bring to authors and readers alike – is in jeopardy. 'We are a charity that provides an important platform for authors and readers of all views and political opinions to agree, disagree, challenge, and provoke. Book festivals around the world are forums in which rigorous, intelligent debate can take place. Our festival should be a place where progressive and nuanced discussion can happen in a safe and respectful space. 'Indeed, our programme this year is designed to give a voice to those directly affected by conflict and those engaged at the most senior levels in its resolution. We will explore the real challenges involved in transition, green tech and climate finance, misinformation and the need for new economic models. 'We are determined to have those debates and to have them out in the open, but we need everyone to come to the table. We have made several invitations to Fossil Free Books, and other groups, to attend this year's festival and regret that they have not responded to those offers.' And also in 2024 Nick Thomas, partner, Baillie Gifford, said: 'Our collaboration with the Edinburgh International Book Festival, spanning decades, was rooted in our shared interest in making Edinburgh a thriving and culturally vibrant place to live and work. In recent years we have been proud to support the Schools' and Children's programmes, providing free books and creating opportunities for young readers to meet authors. 'The activists' anonymous campaign of coercion and misinformation has put intolerable pressure on authors and the festival community. We step back with the hope that the festival will thrive this year and into the future. We hold the activists squarely responsible for the inhibiting effect their action will have on funding for the arts in this country. 'Baillie Gifford is a long-term investor with high ethical standards and a complete focus on doing what is right by our clients. The assertion that we have significant amounts of money in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is offensively misleading. Baillie Gifford is a large investor in several multinational technology companies, including Amazon, NVIDIA, and Meta. Demanding divestment from these global companies, used by millions of people around the world, is unreasonable and serves no purpose. Much as it would be unreasonable to demand authors boycott Instagram or stop selling books on Amazon. 'Nor is Baillie Gifford a significant fossil fuel investor. Only 2% of our clients' money is invested in companies with some business related to fossil fuels. We invest far more in companies helping drive the transition to clean energy. 'We remain committed to contributing positively to our community through philanthropic support.' Jenny Niven Like this: Like Related
Wales Online
21-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Children's Laureate calls for action over ‘indefensible' reading inequality
Children's Laureate calls for action over 'indefensible' reading inequality The author and screenwriter wants the "invisible privilege" of being read to from a young age to be turned into a "universal right" for all children. Waterstones Children's Laureate 2024-2026 Frank Cottrell-Boyce (Image: David Bebber ) Children's Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce has called for urgent action to tackle "indefensible" reading inequality among young people. The author and screenwriter wants the "invisible privilege" of being read to from a young age to be turned into a "universal right" for all children. A report from Cottrell-Boyce and children's reading charity BookTrust has called for all children and families to have access to high-quality books that are "representative of the contemporary UK". The report – which will be launched on Wednesday at Edith Kerrison Nursery School and Children's Centre in London – added that training for early years practitioners should include skills for storytelling to ensure staff feel confident in sharing stories and showing parents how to read with their children. Cottrell-Boyce, known for the novels Framed and Millions, said: "Britain is not an equal society. 4.3 million children are growing up in poverty. "When I was named Waterstones Children's Laureate, I knew I wanted to use my position to campaign for these children, the ones that are being left behind. Article continues below "I started the Reading Rights campaign to highlight this indefensible inequality, but also to say that we can do something about it. "We have an astonishingly powerful tool in our hands – shared reading." The report comes after Cottrell-Boyce led a summit in Liverpool in January which brought together experts from the political, education, literacy, early years, arts and health sectors to recommend action. In the report's foreword, Cottrell-Boyce said: "Children who have not been given the vast invisible privilege of being read to will all too soon be parents themselves and, without support, will pass on that disadvantage to their children. "The task is urgent and vital, but it is also achievable and full of joy." He added: "I'm asking for Government support on a local and national level to make sure this simple, vital experience is available to all. "To help us remember who we really are – the storytelling species." Diana Gerald, chief executive of BookTrust, said: "It is our huge privilege to be working with Frank Cottrell-Boyce on the Reading Rights campaign, and with the extraordinary cross-sector coalition that has been involved in this work so far. "BookTrust has been working to get children and families reading for many decades, but we know that too many children are missing out on the immediate and lifelong benefits of early shared reading. "That's why, for BookTrust, this report is the next step on our journey to make early shared reading and storytelling an everyday part of all children's lives. "We want this report and campaign to unite us, inspire us and give focus to our shared commitment to improving children's lives." A Department for Education (DfE) spokeswoman said: "This Government is committed to breaking the unfair link between a child's background and what they can go on to achieve, and have set a clear milestone through the Plan for Change to ensure tens of thousands more children start school ready to learn. Article continues below "Supporting every child to become a confident reader is crucial for their development, wellbeing and life chances, which is why we are extending early language support, delivering thousands of new places in school-based nurseries, and providing support for parents with home learning through the Family Hubs and Start for Life programmes. "The Education Secretary has made clear that reading and writing are the cornerstones of learning, and we will continue to engage with experts across the sector as we build an early years system that gives every child the best start in life."
Powys County Times
21-05-2025
- General
- Powys County Times
Children's Laureate calls for action over ‘indefensible' reading inequality
Children's Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce has called for urgent action to tackle 'indefensible' reading inequality among young people. The author and screenwriter wants the 'invisible privilege' of being read to from a young age to be turned into a 'universal right' for all children. A report from Cottrell-Boyce and children's reading charity BookTrust has called for all children and families to have access to high-quality books that are 'representative of the contemporary UK'. The report – which will be launched on Wednesday at Edith Kerrison Nursery School and Children's Centre in London – added that training for early years practitioners should include skills for storytelling to ensure staff feel confident in sharing stories and showing parents how to read with their children. Cottrell-Boyce, known for the novels Framed and Millions, said: 'Britain is not an equal society. 4.3 million children are growing up in poverty. 'When I was named Waterstones Children's Laureate, I knew I wanted to use my position to campaign for these children, the ones that are being left behind. 'I started the Reading Rights campaign to highlight this indefensible inequality, but also to say that we can do something about it. 'We have an astonishingly powerful tool in our hands – shared reading.' The report comes after Cottrell-Boyce led a summit in Liverpool in January which brought together experts from the political, education, literacy, early years, arts and health sectors to recommend action. In the report's foreword, Cottrell-Boyce said: 'Children who have not been given the vast invisible privilege of being read to will all too soon be parents themselves and, without support, will pass on that disadvantage to their children. 'The task is urgent and vital, but it is also achievable and full of joy.' He added: 'I'm asking for Government support on a local and national level to make sure this simple, vital experience is available to all. 'To help us remember who we really are – the storytelling species.' Diana Gerald, chief executive of BookTrust, said: 'It is our huge privilege to be working with Frank Cottrell-Boyce on the Reading Rights campaign, and with the extraordinary cross-sector coalition that has been involved in this work so far. 'BookTrust has been working to get children and families reading for many decades, but we know that too many children are missing out on the immediate and lifelong benefits of early shared reading. 'That's why, for BookTrust, this report is the next step on our journey to make early shared reading and storytelling an everyday part of all children's lives. 'We want this report and campaign to unite us, inspire us and give focus to our shared commitment to improving children's lives.' A Department for Education (DfE) spokeswoman said: 'This Government is committed to breaking the unfair link between a child's background and what they can go on to achieve, and have set a clear milestone through the Plan for Change to ensure tens of thousands more children start school ready to learn. 'Supporting every child to become a confident reader is crucial for their development, wellbeing and life chances, which is why we are extending early language support, delivering thousands of new places in school-based nurseries, and providing support for parents with home learning through the Family Hubs and Start for Life programmes. 'The Education Secretary has made clear that reading and writing are the cornerstones of learning, and we will continue to engage with experts across the sector as we build an early years system that gives every child the best start in life.'
BBC News
15-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Cressida Cowell hoping to get kids reading at Lincoln festival
Some of the country's most successful children's authors are appearing at a book festival this weekend hoping to inspire young event, which is taking place in Lincoln until Sunday, features award-winning writers Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Cressida from Welton St Mary's CE Primary Academy are among those attending and assistant head teacher James Durkan said it was important to promote reading at an early age."When children are tired after school it is quick and easy to pick up the iPad or the PlayStation controller, but it is really important that they do reading at home," he added. Mr Durkan's pupils were split on whether they loved reading or technology 10, said: "I prefer gaming, personally. But the bad thing about it is it can get addictive. I need to start reading more. It does calm me down."Oscar, 10, added: "I prefer books because it is calm and better then technology."Eliza, 9, said it was difficult to choose her favourite, adding: "I like to read and play on technology." "Every night, I read for an hour or half an hour. I like books and technology the same amount."Cottrell-Boyce, the children's laureate, has previously said that while children in the UK may fare well in reading league tables, reading for pleasure was in famed for her multimillion-selling series How to Train Your Dragon, said authors were competing with screen time for children's said: "Research shows that kids who see an author event are more likely to read for pleasure. That's why it's important."Children are watching screens earlier and earlier. We authors need to be doing as much as we possibly can to get kids reading."My message to parents would be to try and read to your child. Even if it's 10 minutes a day, it makes such a difference." Research by the National Literacy Trust found two in three children and young people do not enjoy reading. The 2024 report recorded the worst levels in almost 20 to a recent Ofcom report, more than a quarter of three-and four-year-olds own their own smartphone and half of children under 13 are on social Durkan said teachers had seen a difference in the development of children who read at added: "We do find that the increase in the use of technology is a challenge for children."That immediate pleasure is there, whereas with reading it does require more discipline, more patience and you do have to invest that time in it."One thing parents could do is talk to children about books. That can be really inspiring when a parent sits down and reads with their child. It's so powerful."The festival, which is run by Waterstones, features events at the High Street store, The Engine Shed, Southside and Lincoln Central Library. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
