Ranworth Square Primary School in Norris Green had received £1,000 to spend on books for their library to promote reading for pleasure across the school.
The books arrived at Ranworth Square Primary School yesterday, handpicked by the ‘bookworms’ who are the school’s appointed reading ambassadors. The students devised a questionnaire of what books they would like to see in the library.
Cuts to school funding means many children don’t have access to books. However campaign group LoveReading4Kids have developed a way to redress the shortfall, and through generous donations, provide much-needed support for schools across the UK.
The aim of LoveReading is to get more books into schools. When booklovers buy from the LoveReading and LoveReading4Kids bookstores, 25% of the cover price is donated to a school of their choice.
Nearly two-thirds of primary school teachers say budget pressures will be their biggest challenge over the next 18 months, leaving little to no flexibility in the budget to spend updating their library.
Deborah Maclaren, Managing Director of LoveReading and LoveReading4Kids, said: “It’s all about getting books into the hands of schools and helping with the funding crisis and encouraging reading for pleasure.
There are so many brilliant books being published today
“A quarter of our children leave primary school unable to read at the expected level, so for us, it’s about really trying to support children and get them excited about reading, get them off the iPad and off their phones.’’
“There are so many brilliant books being published today, inclusive books where every child can see themselves reflected – but if they can’t find that book they might never fall in love with reading.’’
LoveReading4Kids have donated over £35,000 worth of books to schools this year aiming to make a difference in children’s lives.
Over 120 books were delivered to Ranworth yesterday. Head teacher Robert Saunders said: “Reading is at the very centre of our school, and it’s taken a number of years to get reading to where it should be.
“For many years it was in the background, it wasn’t important, we didn’t have a library. Together with the staff we have worked hard to get where we are today.
“We want to continue that even more, by having diverse books, by having books everyone can read and enjoy. The books that the children chose were very inclusive, but also, it’s the benefit of having brand-new books.
“There’ve been times where we have been donated second-hand books, so being provided with brand new books gives a sense of energy, a sense of worth – and that’s what our children deserve.’’
Our children deserve the very best
Many primary school pupils do not have access to books at home, so for Ranworth Square Primary School, improving their library and encouraging children to read for pleasure will have a huge impact on their academic success.
Pamela Butler, a teacher who is English lead at the school, said: “The area that our school is in is a very deprived area, and our children deserve the very best. A lot of our children don’t own any books so the only reading that they get is from school.
“We want to make sure that that experience for the children is the best that it can possibly be. We want those children to enjoy reading so much that it becomes a lifelong skill.’’
Pupils from the school usually organise book sales and make bookmarks to sell in order to raise money for their library.
The last time they did this, they managed to raise just under £90 pounds which was put towards new football books for the library.
Mrs Butler said that receiving £1000 for new library books was ‘like a dream come true’.
She added: “As you can see from the children’s excitement today. It will make all the difference and we hope all children can find a book that they relate to.’’
- To find out more about how you can donate books to your local school, please visit: https://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk
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Featured image (c) Cassie Ward
