The BBC has set itself a goal to raise the communication and literacy skills of a million under-fives, to ensure they have the best possible start to their education.

The move is part of a new education strategy, launched today, which aims to put social mobility at the centre of the broadcaster’s coverage.

The BBC is working with the National Literacy Trust to reach its literacy target, and is also inviting other organisations to work with it “in a coordinated approach”.

It aims to counter the fact that the UK’s most disadvantaged five-year-olds can be 19 months behind their more affluent peers in vocabulary development when they start school, according to the Sutton Trust charity.

Building resilience and self-esteem

James Purnell, director of BBC radio and education, said: “Education has always been part of the BBC’s DNA and we want to renew our commitment to it in this new charter period.

“We want to work with partners to have a positive impact on people’s lives, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.”

The BBC has also said it will champion the wider needs of children by building resilience and self-esteem and by supporting mental health.

It wants to help to open up the world of employment to young people amid concerns about the quality of careers advice, and explore opportunities that make it easier for adults to retrain. 

The corporation has not gone into much detail about how it will achieve its aims, but said it will build on its online study service BBC Bitesize, developing it into a “personalised user experience” using insight from business organisations and the National Careers Service.

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