National Literacy Trust - History of The National Literacy Trust

History of The National Literacy Trust

The idea for a charity specifically promoting literacy emerged after Sir Simon Hornby became aware, in his capacity as a trustee for the British Dyslexia Association, of the “highly fragmented approach to literacy in the UK, which had a direct impact on the effectiveness of programmes directed at people with dyslexia at all ages”. With encouragement from his fellow trustees, Sir Simon commissioned research from the public relations department of WHSmith into the need for a national literacy agency. After a year of interviews with educational specialists, government officials, and the statutory and voluntary agencies whose work had a literacy component, the study’s conclusion was unequivocal: “No agency existed whose specific remit was to promote the issue of literacy, in its many social, political and cultural dimensions, to stimulate new literacy initiatives, and to promote public awareness of the significance of the issue and of practical means to improve literacy standards in all age groups”.

Sir Simon retained a recruitment consultancy in early 1992 to identify an appropriate individual with the skills to develop a national organisation dedicated to literacy. Among the candidates put forward, Sir Simon was most impressed by Usha Prashar (now Baroness Prashar of Runnymede). As the former director of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), with a particular interest in organisational development, Baroness Prashar had a record of achievement which Sir Simon regarded as ideally suited for the establishment of the new organisation. Baroness Prashar was attracted by the opportunity to build an organisation whose need had already been demonstrated and was impressed by the personal commitment demonstrated by Sir Simon for its implementation.

Baroness Prashar accepted the assignment to establish the core objectives of the new organisation and to work with Sir Simon in securing the voluntary funding necessary for the first years of its operation. Building on the research conducted by WHSmith, Baroness Prashar conducted over 40 interviews with literacy specialists at the Institute of Education of the University of London, with senior executives from statutory and non-governmental organisations dealing with literacy, and with officers from trusts and foundations funding educational development. The conclusions of this work were broadly in line with the previous study. There was a consensus that significant advances could be made by: the identification and dissemination of best practices in the UK, the United States and elsewhere; a renewed effort to raise the profile of literacy as a political and pedagogical issue; and the stimulation of new initiatives, highlighting, in particular, the important role of a conducive family environment.

Following these significant early signs of encouragement and pledges of core funding from WHSmith PLC, from Pearson PLC and from Book Tokens PLC, Sir Simon pushed for the formal establishment of a new charitable organisation, the National Literacy Trust, even before the recruitment of a full-time director.

Having persuaded Diana Baring and Martyn Goff (a former director of the National Book League/ Booktrust) to become trustees, the National Literacy Trust was legally registered as a charity on 19 November 1992 by Sir Simon. Its strategic remit was to “advance public education in Reading, Writing and other literacy skills… and to cooperate and collaborate with voluntary bodies and statutory authorities operating in similar charitable fields and to exchange information and advice”. Following an extensive selection process, Neil McClelland was appointed to the role of full-time Director in September 1993, in time for the press launch of the charity in October 1993.

At the end of 2006 Neil McClelland retired from his position as Director and was succeeded by Jonathan Douglas in January 2007. Douglas was previously Head of Policy Development at the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, where he also worked as Head of Learning and Access. He had also worked as a librarian and in children’s services for Westminster Libraries. Douglas is on the Advisory Committee of the Man Booker Prize and the Chair of Governors at his local primary school.