A charity that aims to educate children about diversity and tackling racism has delivered books to a Congleton Primary School after receiving a community fund donation.
Reads for Representation (working name of Dive In Education) is a registered charity that uses funds to buy books written by authors from various ethnic backgrounds which feature a main character from a minority ethnic background. The books are donated to primary schools to help educate children about diversity and inclusion and encourage discussions around racism and anti-racism.
Since May 2021 they have supplied over 1200 books to eight primary schools, four within the Congleton area. Saint Mary’s Catholic School on Belgrave Avenue are the latest school to receive 150 books purchased with money awarded to the charity from Redrow’s community fund.
Emma Udi, chairperson at Reads for Representation said: “Our communities are becoming more diverse and our aim is to equip schools with the books and resources necessary to ensure children from all backgrounds are adequately represented within their classroom environments. We also know that primary school libraries are under-resourced with 40% of schools reporting they have no budget for a school library so we help with this issue too.”
Reads for Representation received £700 from the house builder’s community fund, linked to its Round Hill Gardens development.
Emma continues: “Teachers can use the books to open a meaningful dialogue with pupils about racism and anti-racism. Feedback from schools we’ve worked with includes a lack of support and knowledge when it comes to educating the children about these important topics and the more children see different ethnicities represented in their books, the more it normalises diversity and breaks down stereotypes.”
The charity encourages schools to use the books for guided reading, whereby the class reads the book together and then complete educational activities around the topics raised in the text and for recreational reading, whereby children can revert to the books in their own time.
Amanda Hollins, area sales manager at Redrow NW, said: “Having a range of ethnicities represented in books is crucial in educating the younger generations about people from all backgrounds. Every child should feel represented and the work that Reads for Representation do is helping schools to bridge the gap and help them to talk to pupils about this important topic.”
Redrow’s Round Hill Gardens will bring a mix of three, four and five bedroom properties split into two phases – Blossoms and Woodlands.
Areas of the site are also earmarked for a new primary school, 12.5 acres of open space and local shops and will be subject to future planning applications.
Potential customers can explore a new customer experience suite that is digitally led, with interactive screens, showing site plans and local information including nearby schools and amenities.
The development is open seven days a week, usually from 10am-5.30pm. For further information call 01260 460058.
