A learning program for children is opening its doors in Tottenham for the first time.

The Literacy Pirates, a Hackney-based charity, is an after-school learning programme for 9-12-year olds.

It aims to improve their reading and writing.

Since 2014, The Literacy Pirates have worked with 720 young people at their Dalston Ship of Adventures.

The London Mayor’s £45 million Young Londoners Fund has partially backed the new literacy program.

A spokesperson said: “We are now ready to replicate our successes in Hackney and have recently opened a new learning centre in Haringey, which will allow us to work with up to 150 more pupils by September 2019.

“Because we think that learning should be a great adventure, the new Haringey Ship is as weird and wonderful as our first Ship.

“We have transformed a space in the Enterprise Centre on Tottenham High Road into a fantastical galleon complete with a secret passageway.”

A total of five Tottenham schools have signed up to work with the pirates so far including: Chesnuts, Crowland, Lordship Lane, Mulberry and The Willow.

Up till now the program was called The Hackney Pirates, but they are now changing its name to The Literacy Pirates and have plans to launch even more ships in other London boroughs over the next three years.

Joanne McCartney, Deputy Mayor for Education & Childcare and Assembly Member for Enfield & Haringey

“I am absolutely delighted to be part of the launch of Haringey Pirates.

“Funded through the Mayor’s £45m Young Londoners Fund this fabulous new ship will provide an exciting space for over 350 vulnerable children over the next three years to fuel their love of reading and writing.

“The Mayor has so far invested over £20.5m in 179 projects which will reach 60,000 young people across the capital providing much-needed positive events, activities and opportunities.

“Projects cover everything from theatre groups and employability training to football clubs and art sessions.”