A BOYS' literacy project which is focused on sport has been awarded funding by Awards for All.The project will run at Rivington and Blackrod High School and Ladybridge High School, and is aimed at encouraging boys to read.This, it is hoped, will increase their literacy and creative skills.

Evidence suggests that boys are less likely to read than girls, with boys having a lower reading age throughout their years at secondary school. This project will provide books and resources which are specifically of interest to boys. This will extend their access to literature and encourage their participation in reading.

The programme of activities planned for the project will run until September when it will culminate in a competition where boys from Year 7 and 8 will create a sporting anthem.Boys will be able to pick any sport that they are interested in, to focus on.Bolton Wanderers Football in the Community will help to support and will act as role models to the project which will take place at lunchtimes in the library across both schools.

Tony Purcell, Head Teacher at Rivington and Blackrod High School said:

"This project will help us to boost boy's motivation and enjoyment of reading.We hope that it will serve to improve literacy skills by encouraging boys to read more often. Books can offer a tremendous resource of knowledge and can widen the perceptions and horizons of young people.We are looking forward to seeing the outcomes from this project in the form of the sporting anthems that are produced by those involved in this project. "