New chapter for Larkspur pupils

Children at Larkspur Primary Academy were given a free book each as they returned to classrooms last month, as part of a charity project to promote the benefits of reading.

Teachers handed out the brand new books to more than 120 pupils when they returned to school after months of disruption to their learning as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The books were provided by Give a Book, a UK charity which aims to promote reading. Each year it chooses one school which is proactive in encouraging reading and wants to increase reading for pleasure to support as part of a whole school project.

Larkspur Primary Academy Headteacher Kerry McEwan explains: “We are very passionate about reading at our school and want our children to develop a lifelong love of books. Not all families have the funds to buy new books for their children, so to be able to give one to every single pupil was a wonderful way to start the academic year.”

Kerry adds: “The children were delighted when they received their new books, especially when they were told that they could keep them. They have already been telling their teachers how much they enjoyed them. Reading is not only fun, it also has profound benefits to children’s development, and we’re really looking forward to working with Give a Book throughout the coming year to keep the momentum going.”  

Give a Book is a small charity that promotes books and the pleasure of reading in the hardest places. It works with schools and other organisations to support disadvantaged children, young people and adults throughout the UK.

Adeela Khan, Director of Projects, says: “We are really happy to support this whole school reading project at Larkspur Primary Academy. Over lockdown children have missed months of school so this September it feels more important than ever to reconnect children with books and the pleasure of reading.

“The staff at Larkspur are keen to get more children reading and want all their pupils to have access to a diverse selection of books to help inspire them, as well as improve their reading ability. We look forward to continuing our support for the children at Larkspur throughout the year.”