Storytime fireside reading sessions during morning break times have really encouraged our pupils to read more and the library has been buzzing with activity as children want to read the books they've heard and those recommended on our giant badge.
All our pupils, from nursery to Year 8, took part in our themed Book Week which included reading sessions with teachers and the headmaster, reading with Nancy, the headmaster's dog, (which we've found encourages more confident readers), Year 7s reading to younger children, as well as World Book Dress Up Day on Friday where all the children and staff dressed up as as different book characters.
Mrs Pippa Sutcliffe, Head of English, who organised Book Week, said: “Our ‘Jackanory’ sessions have encouraged the pupils to request more reading books from the library after they enjoyed hearing them read out loud. The children have also been writing the names of their favourite books on two giant world book day badges one in the Prep and one in the Pre-Prep."
She added: “The aim of Book Week was to spread the love of reading and each day we focused on a different genre – adventure, humour, animals, sport, history and mystery with optional reading sessions in break times. My best moment was overhearing a group of children discussing the many ‘favourite books’ written on our giant World Book Day badge and wondering about books they didn’t recognise.
“I have noticed that some children can see reading as a chore like making their beds or tidying their rooms - I hope that our Book Week has helped them to see reading as a precious gift that we are lucky to have which can open doors to the past, the present and future as well as their imagination."
One pupil commented: "It's new for me to see reading from this angle and I can see that it is a privilege. I'm glad to see it in this way."
See Westbourne House School in the Chichester Observer.
