Upton Reading Ambassadors

When it comes to reading, children at Upton Juniors in Broadstairs are never lost for words.

Literacy is a core part of the school’s learning and all ages are actively encouraged to explore the wide and varied world of information and entertainment books give them.

Now the school’s recently-elected Reading Ambassadors have been sharing their passion with young pupils at nearby St Mildred’s Infant School.

The 32-strong group plan a series of community events this coming year and the first saw them spend an afternoon reading stories and discussing books with the little children.

The liaison was a big success and Upton Assistant Head of School Gemma Scarr said: “It was a wonderful opportunity to come together and share our passion for reading.

“Our children were so excited especially as many of them went to St Mildred’s and had siblings there. It was lovely to see the smiles on all the children’s faces as they shared their books.”

St Mildred’s Year 2 teacher Jenny Smith facilitated the event for her school. She said: “Our children and staff thought it was fantastic.  It was such a lovely event and great for our children to spend time with older children and share books with them.

“This was a great Reading for Pleasure opportunity and we hope for many more. It was lovely to see so many former pupils and the Reading Ambassadors should be really proud – they were fabulous.”

The Upton ambassadors were elected by their class teachers to promote the joy and love of reading. During their first meeting they received their new reading champion badges and information packs about their roles and how they will help encourage others to read on their own reading journeys.

Miss Scarr added: “We talked about them being reading influencers and that throughout the year they will regularly meet to discuss reading at Upton and make suggestions. They will also be involved in planning events and our aim is to get out into the wider community as well.”

Head of School Darci Arthur added: “Sharing their love of reading with the infants was an effective and interesting way for our reading ambassadors to begin their community initiative.

“Literacy is a cornerstone of our education and our children have a love of books and stories, whether it is for education and research, fact or fiction. It helps them develop a love for words and encourages the use of grammar – reading is the key that unlocks their imaginations.”