Five enthusiastic young readers from Asterdale Primary School were treated to a special trip to Waterstones in Derby, where they each chose a book purchased for them by the school as a reward for their dedication to reading.
The school, part of Odyssey Collaborative Trust, has recently launched its new “Everyday Reading” initiative, which encourages pupils to develop a regular reading habit.
Headteacher John O’Leary explained: “We are asking children to make it a habit to read five times a week for five minutes outside of school. Those children who do that receive a token which goes into a raffle.”
The five pupils whose names were drawn in the raffle visited the Waterstones store on St Peter’s Street to select their new books – with one child from Years 1 to 6 chosen.
Emilia, aged 10, said: “It was really nice to go into the shop and look at all the books. I chose the book Inkheart.”
Fellow pupil Emilia, aged 8, selected the much-loved children’s classic Funny Bones. “It was very hard to pick because there were lots of books to choose from,” she said.
Deputy Head Katy Stuart, who has been leading the initiative, said: “We’re very proud of all the children who have been reading every day. We do lots in school to encourage reading, but this is something they are doing in their spare time, away from school, so it is really fantastic that they are making the time to read.”
This article was written by Kirsty Green on behalf of Odyssey Collaborative Trust. Can we share your news and get you in the headlines too? Find out how we can help by getting in touch.
