Pledge to make a difference, together.
The Latin Programme - Via Facilis improves English literacy in underachieving State Primary Schools through the study of Latin and English grammar. The Latin Programme is conscious that "one in six people in the UK struggle with literacy. This means their literacy is below the level expected of an eleven-year-old" (Department for Education, 2003). This underachievement in literacy is particularly evident in the case of disadvantaged children, "In 2007, only 35% of five year olds in the most deprived areas reached the expected level of attainment, compared to 51% of pupils in other areas [] This gap grows throughout school years so that by GCSE levels only 21% of disadvantaged pupils achieved 5+ A*-C GCSEs including English and Maths in 2007 compared to 49% of nonFSM pupils" (Department for Children, Schools and Families, 2009). As a result The Latin Programme is committed to finding innovative ways to help State Primary School children achieve a better performance in literacy and improve their life prospects. We concentrate on the link between literacy levels and future prospects because individuals with good literacy skills "are more likely to have higher self-esteem, better health, better jobs and higher wages than those with poor literacy skills." (National Literacy Trust)