Chalk Ridge Primary School praising and encouraging children to get involved in literature

On the back of World Book Day, students at Chalk Ridge Primary School, have been inspired to read more and the school’s English manager, Jo Cummins is encouraging children to get lost in the pages of a book.

Since joining the school two years ago Mrs Cummins has made a conscious effort to get more children reading, and as part of the students’ development she has been entering them in numerous reading and writing competitions to help them explore the literary world.

She said: “In my opinion reading is one of the most powerful things we can have in our society.

“There is such a wide range of different stories out there for children to delve into, and no matter what type of child you are getting lost in a book and reading in general can help with a child’s development.”

As well as entering several different competitions including the Lollies (laugh out loud) book awards – where 30 Chalk Ridge students attended the major event at the Lyric Theatre in London and two pupils presented awards for the funniest children’s books.

Mrs Cummins has arranged several author visits to help inspire the children.

Most recently the school was visited by Children’s author Rob Lloyd Jones on April 5, when he visited year 6 student Harry Satwick, who had won the National Literacy Trust’s Timmy Failure: Crack the case competition.

Along with thousands of Key Stage 2 students across the UK, Harry wrote and illustrated his own Timmy Failure detective story, with the Chalk Ridge pupil’s story being judged the best.

During his visit Mr Lloyd Jones told students how he became an author and the importance of storytelling.

“Storytelling is something we do every day is some form,” the author told The Gazette.

“What I like to do on these school visits is encourage children how to shape an idea and to take a reader on a journey.”

Mrs Cummins said she will continue to enter the children in competitions as they are enjoying telling their stories.