BBC Learning has launched a new campaign to improve literacy skills and encourage enjoyment in writing among primary school children in Scotland. It teamed up with the National Literacy Trust, Comic Relief and Blue Peter for a new competition called BBC Red Nose Day Comedy Classroom.
In a bid to improve children’s love of literacy in Scotland, the winners in each age category (age 6-8 and 9-12) will get their rib-tickling jokes performed live on a special Red Nose Day Blue Peter programme next month. The final judging panel will include both Richard Curtis, Miranda Hart, and Blue Peter’s Barney Harwood.
They will also been with a chance of winning a visit the Blue Peter studio to watch the programme and will receive an orange Blue Peter competition winner’s badge, a signed certificate and Comedy Classroom trophy.
Supporting the drive to improve literacy skills in schools, Sir Lenny Henry co-founder of Comic Relief said: “No matter how old you are, we all love to laugh and to tell jokes. Now it’s your turn: for Red Nose Day, join in with your friends and classmates to come up with some hilarious jokes. It’s a great way to get involved with all the fun.”
Sinéad Rocks, Head of BBC Learning, commented: “We want this competition to provide a fun and inspiring way to engage students by helping them find the funny side of literacy and by demonstrating how literacy is the bedrock of good comedy and comedy writing. We hope it provides some great laughs in classrooms across the UK as well as giving students the opportunity to produce some fantastic entries.”
Jonathan Douglas, director of the National Literacy Trust, continued: “Our research shows that more needs to be done to inspire children in Scotland to enjoy writing. We believe that introducing them to comedy writing can help. Comedy harnesses many key writing skills to create laughs and can be a great asset in the classroom. The BBC Red Nose Day Comedy Classroom competition is a brilliant way to get started!”
The competition closes on 28th February 2017.
To find out how to enter the competition, download resources for the classroom, or for terms and conditions click here.
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