On the 14th June the Mayor Boris Johnson and I visited Botwell Green School in Hillingdon to launch a new reading and literacy project which seeks to recognise the critical role played by parents in children’s education. The project aims to help children aged 3-5 who are struggling with their literacy skills by providing families with the practical skills to support learning both at home and at school.

We were also joined by, the internationally renowned pop star and father of two, Peter Andre who acted as a reading ambassador, encouraging parents to become more involved in their child’s learning.

The project is currently running in 12 boroughs, with the target being to enlist the help of over 500 volunteers in the capital, of which we hope to gain 30 from Hillingdon alone.

Reading ‘The Gruffalo’ to the excited year- two pupils it is easy to see the power that reading has in inspiring their imaginations. Books should never be seen as a chore; instead they are a way to help us navigate the seas of human life.

To finish on a favourite quote, “TV. If children are entertained by these two letters, imagine the fun they’ll have with twenty-six. Open your child’s imagination. Open a book.”