Mission
Changing Children’s Lives Through Stories

Aims

By sending children’s writers into schools as role models for bringing words to life we aim:

• to show children that stories and poetry are fun, exciting and rewarding
• to encourage children to read and to improve their literacy skills
• to stimulate children’s imaginations and inspire their writing and self-expression
• to build children’s confidence and self-esteem
• to encourage children to celebrate their individuality and cultural diversity, and to expand horizons
• to help teachers further these aims, and help schools improve the attainment of all their children.

The Children’s Discovery Centre aims to make a long-term change to the lives of children and young people. The ‘Authors in Schools’ programme stimulates a love of reading and writing, both in and outside the school environment. We aim to tackle under-achievement in schools, and to encourage parents and carers to foster their child’s learning through a love of books and literature, language and storytelling. We actively support transition from Primary to Secondary Schools with author visits and resources.   We also support authors around the country by putting them in contact with the right school for their talents and ensuring that they receive a fair fee for their services. The Children’s Discovery Centre also promotes a lifelong love of books and language in children under the age of three.  We support the Every Child Matters’ aims and outcomes.

Funding
We are funded by the Arts Council of England and several donor organisations. We wish to thank all our supporters for their generous commitment to children’s education, literature and story.

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Trustees

• Alan Wells OBE - Chair
• Margaret Bateson-Hill
• Susan Kelly
• Dr Gillian Lathey
• Pat Layzell
• Kathy MacLean
• Olusola Oyeleye
• Fiona Collins
• Linden Burleigh
• Jane Tingle

Staff

• Director: Peter Jenkins
• Author Co-ordinator: Barbara Levette
• Education/Programme Officer: Samina Baig
• Accounts’ Clerk: Julie Caird
• Administrator: Serena Bentine
• Development Officer: Julia Gale

Volunteers

• Accountant: Andy Layzell