Friday December 13th 2024
Pictured are the School Communities Project Manager with the Scottish Book Trust, Liam McCallum in the centre with the school’s accreditation, pupil members of the steering group along with Hope Wilson on left and grandmother and steering group member Janette Orr with Hannah Clark on right.
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Luke Jackson
Rosewell Primary School has become the first school in Midlothian to become a Scottish Book Trust Gold Accredited Reading School.
Reading Schools is an accreditation programme for schools committed to building a culture of reading for their learners and communities.
The School Communities Project Manager with the Scottish Book Trust, Liam McCallum presented the school with its trophy at a ceremony in the school hall recently.
Head Teacher Shona Richardson said: “This is a very proud day for all of us and is the culmination of a journey that started back in 2021 when we first committed to becoming a Reading School.
“While it is great to be the first school in Midlothian to reach Gold accreditation, what is even more satisfying is seeing the pleasure learners get from turning the pages of a good book.
“This initiative is fostering a love of reading among pupils, staff and the wider community that will enhance learning, improve attainment and stimulate our imaginations for years to come.
“Well done to everyone involved.”
Led by Principal Teacher Hannah Clark and teacher Hope Wilson, a steering group was established back in 2021 to work towards becoming a Reading School.
To celebrate reading for enjoyment, the steering group ran competitions, made book recommendation videos, introduced reading scrapbooks and provided daily opportunities for pupils to sit down with a book.
Having achieved its Reading School Core Award, the school worked towards Silver accreditation by embedding the work underway and adding book clubs for pupils, staff and carers.
Other initiatives included organising a story trail around the village, authors’ visits and even a book festival supported by local authors, story tellers and the library service.
Marc Lambert, the CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: “Well done to Rosewell Primary for achieving their Reading Schools gold accreditation, following their journey to also achieve their core and silver accreditations. This is a wonderful accomplishment for both pupils and teachers and truly shows their commitment in embracing a vibrant reading culture and the many benefits this brings. Congratulations from all of us at Scottish Book Trust.”
Evaluation by the Scottish Book Trust has found becoming a Reading School supports positive outcomes around engagement, literacy and health and wellbeing. It also finds that the programme has a wider impact on staff in terms of professional practice.
– 88% of schools said the Reading Schools programme contributed to improved attainment.
– 93% of schools said it contributed to reducing or closing the poverty related attainment gap.
– Reading Schools was shown to prompt an increase in reading for pleasure, including by 90% among socioeconomically disadvantaged pupils and by 94% among pupils with additional support needs.
The Scottish Book Trust is a national charity bringing the benefits of reading and writing to people in Scotland since 1998.
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