Wellington Academy gives gift of reading to 200 pupils
Students in Year 7 are being given a bundle of books
Last updated 9th Dec 2021
The Wellington Academy is aiming to nurture a love of reading in their pupils through giving them the gift of reading this Christmas.
Teachers have been busy wrapping a collection of Roald Dahl classics along with Marcus Rashford’s recently published book ‘You Are a Champion’, which will be given to all 200 children in Year 7 at the end of this term.
Rob Wood, Deputy Headteacher at The Wellington Academy, which is part of the Royal Wootton Bassett Academy Trust, said:
“The idea behind this initiative is quite simply to give the gift of reading to our students this Christmas. The benefits of reading for enjoyment are well recognised and we want all our students to have that opportunity; no child should be denied the chance to own a book.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that some children have had less opportunities than they normally might to develop their reading skills and their love of reading, initiatives like this form part of the school’s literacy strategy that aims to ensure all students are confident and able readers.”
The Christmas gift of reading is part of the academy’s wider drive to encourage reading skills across the school, with the recent opening of their revamped library and a range of reading mentorships now in operation across the school.
The money for the books as come from the Government's catch up funding, given to all schools to support pupils’ learning.