HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Campaign launched to raise awareness of learning differences [January 2010]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 6 January 2010.

The Prime Minister’s wife Sarah Brown has hosted the launch event for a new campaign that aims to improve attitudes towards children with learning differences.

Around one in five school-aged children need additional help in school of some form, and the First News My Way! campaign hopes to raise awareness for children with special educational needs.

Sarah Brown was joined at the Downing Street reception by Children’s Secretary Ed Balls, children with learning difficulties and the campaign’s ambassador, author and actor Henry Winkler. Mr Winkler was not identified as having dyslexia until the age of thirty.

Sarah Brown said:

“Gordon and I have always been passionate that every single child should have the chance to reach their true potential, so it’s really important that we breakdown any barriers that some children may face when learning.

“Listening to children, supporting them and creating the right environment for them to do well is at the heart of this campaign and I’m very pleased to host the launch event for an initiative that will really touch people’s lives and make a difference.”

Ed Balls said the Government has already taken action to help children with special educational needs, including a £31 million investment into the Achievement for All programme and greater personalised support.

Earlier this week, the Prime Minister announced Government measures to ensure that pupils in their first few years at primary school have the best start in reading, writing and arithmetic.