Valina Bowman-Burns: Education and the Essex Record Office

Today’s speaker was Valina Bowman-Burns from the Essex Record Office who came to show us how she had used the £250 we gave her towards her work with children struggling with literacy.

She went into a school in special measures and used the Football Project to engage the children’s imagination, taking them back to 1860. They were given a letter from William Dare, a local landowner of the time, who didn’t want children playing on his land. The children had to write back making their case. In the scenario matters unfortunately escalated, resulting in criminal damage. The village policeman was forced to step in, even arresting his own son. The children then had to make written representations to the court. The verdict was guilty but the judge was lenient in sentencing and directed that none of the accused should be transported.

Val cited the example of George, one of the children who is a keen footballer, who hadn’t make much connection between reading, writing and football. It was apparent that George enjoyed the project, responded to the praise for his efforts and started to see a reason to read and write.

Val is hoping that the project can be expanded into more schools in the county.