Works by famous British authors are being explored by readers at St Gregory’s Catholic Primary in Margate.
Children have been challenged to become familiar with stories by Charles Dickens, Jane Austen and William Shakespeare, who each have their own distinctive styles of writing.
Head Teacher Dave Walker explained: “Pupils can take the books – which are abridged versions – from my office, read them and complete a summary sheet.
“Once three books from each author have been read, they are awarded a merit medal. Once five have been completed, they are presented with a reading trophy.”
The first super-readers recently completed the first three book challenge and were pictured in the school newsletter proudly displaying their medals.
Mr Walker added: “Reading is hugely popular here at the school. We have a saying 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. Engaging with the classics creates cultural capital for children and helps them become educated citizens more prepared to go out into the world.
“Reading the abridged versions of such wonderful stories by world-renowned authors offers our pupils an easier introduction, rather than diving into the full-length stories.
“Response has been positive and our pupils have enjoyed exploring some truly special creative works, with the aim of encouraging them to aspire to finding out more about classic literature.”
Last summer a group of Year 5 pupils worked alongside former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen, acclaimed Kent writer Lucy Strange and Australian poetry slam champion and rapper Zohab Zee Khan. They met them at a special reading conference organised by the Kent Catholic Schools’ Partnership charitable company.
