Book Day fun at Chilton Primary School

Book fun at Chilton

Pupils celebrating book week at Chilton Primary School focussed on female authors and stories with strong female lead characters this year.

It tied in well as International Women’s Day fell within the week of literacy celebration and learning.

Assistant Head of School Hannah Cheshire co-ordinated the book day programme at Chilton. She explained: “Teachers shared with their pupils their favourite story written by a female author or with a strong female lead.

“Books with strong female leads play a vital role of breaking down existing gender stereotypes and increasing the confidence of our girls in school.”

World Book Day on March 7 provided Chilton with a unique opportunity to celebrate books and raise the profile of the importance of reading.

Mrs Cheshire added: “We believe that reading is not only a vital part of teaching and learning but has a role to play with pupils’ well-being.

“Books offer an opportunity for children and adults to escape from reality and enter into an imaginary world. Sharing books can strengthen friendships and bring families together.

“Both teachers and children have made a wonderful effort with their costumes on World Book Day which started with us in assembly and sharing a book as a whole school.

“The pupils took part in class swaps and had a number of opportunities to share a story with someone new. It is wonderful to see the children forming bonds with pupils from other year groups, through a shared love of reading.

“We set a reading challenge for our Book Week, which many pupils took part in, where they had to read in ’20 weird ways’. We had our highest ever number of entrants, with the three winners winning a book of their choice. As the theme of World Book Day is ‘share a story’ we also invited families into school to share a story with their child.

“In addition, Chilton pupils ventured into the community to share a story, and they visited local nurseries and Dumpton Lodge Care Home.”