IT’S excellent news that Oxfordshire County Council is continuing with its effort to boost literacy levels among pupils across the county.

After the nadir of being told in 2010 that Key Stage 1 results among seven-year-olds in Oxford were the worst in the country, education bosses decided to stop the rot.

By enlisting the support of teaching staff, the National Literacy Trust, volunteers, parents and local authors, with the Oxfordshire Reading Campaign they have achieved stunning results.

Pupils at selected primary schools will now be able build on what they have achieved by focusing on their writing skills, while the trust is extending its work by linking up with secondary schools.

It makes sense to continue the investment in improving literacy because without actual funding to support new schemes the progress that has been made could start to slip.

As headteachers have told us, competence in reading and writing will give pupils the opportunity to succeed throughout their school days in subjects across the curriculum.

One million pounds may sound like a lot of money but it will not go far if every school in the county wants to get involved.

However, now the Oxfordshire Reading Campaign programme has proved such a success, its methods can be passed on to all schools.

And parents must remember they have a vital role to play at home, too.