Every day is a reading day for children at St Gregory’s Catholic Primary in Margate.
Head Teacher Dave Walker said: “Reading is hugely popular here at the school. We have a saying this year which is ‘What do we do every day at St Gregory’s – we read’.
“That simple statement could not be truer – pupils read aloud each and every day. It’s the single most important things we learn at school.”
The culture was readily embraced as part of the recent World Book Day where hundreds of book characters descended on the school as pupils dressed as their favourite storybook roles and shared their love of the written word.
Organised by English lead Rosie Hart, pupils across the school engaged with the huge online event run by the National Literacy Trust called ‘The Great Big Footy Booky Quiz’ which promoted reading and reading role models.
Schoolwork for the day was all linked to reading, vocabulary and books, with teachers swapping classes to read to children from their favourite stories.
A school-wide competition allowed children to decorate a paper plate promoting a story of their choice with book prizes for winners.
Another popular event was a ‘Guess the Reader’ assembly, where teachers sent in pictures of themselves hidden behind reading books
After school, a ‘free book drive’ was available to all pupils so they could choose books and take them home.
Miss Hart said: “School needs to be fun for children and to combine this with promoting a love of reading made this a really a successful event.”
Mr Walker, who fittingly dressed as Hogwarts head teacher Dumbledore from the Harry Potter series, added: “Reading is an essential part of learning for our children and we ensure that it is something they do and enjoy every day.
“Their love of reading shone through during the World Book Day event with some truly memorable costumes on show – one lad even made a huge aeroplane outfit because he is mad about aircraft and he chose to bring The Big Book of Aviation in to school to share his passion with others.”