Teach Primary Issue 18.2

T E ACH RE AD I NG & WR I T I NG Rachael Sligo is an English lead teacher at Pegswood Primary School. To find out more about literacy and initiatives in this area, please visit tinyurl.com/tp-NoT loud learning can co-exist was very important to us. It’s packed with relevant stories, and provides access to real authors We made it a priority that the books and stories we offer are diverse and reflect our students, so that they can see themselves in the books they read. However, it was equally as important to us that we engage with authors and writers themselves. A recent Pegswood School student survey showed that only 16 per cent of KS2 children in our school could name five children’s authors. We wanted to address this by inviting a wide range of writers into the Story Centre, giving our children the opportunity to interact with creators from different backgrounds and walks of life. So far, students have had the chance to engage with authors such as S.F. Said, Hannah Gold and Jennie Pearson, either through events or speaking over Zoom. When children meet the writers of stories they love, their interest and engagement go through the roof. And we don’t just limit these events to our students. We encourage parents and carers to come along too, so they can see firsthand how much joy reading and storytelling can bring. As part of our commitment to keep new books coming into the Story Centre, in 2022 we encouraged parents to gift teachers books on our reading list, rather than buy presents for staff. The idea went down so well, we did it again in 2023. It’s a hub for the community We want the Story Centre to also be a meeting place for the whole community, and that is becoming a reality. For example, we hosted a workshop in partnership with a local business, where members of the community built autumn wreaths. Not only did this provide a chance to show off our Story Centre and act as a community hub, but with the workshop being ticketed (and proceeds donated to the school), it was also a way to raise money and continue bringing in new books and resources. Looking to the future With our Story Centre, I wanted to make sure that we were creating a space that was enjoyable for all; that didn’t feel like a chore, or create more work for teachers, but instead provided a wonderful space for our students and their families to visit. We’ve achieved so much in our first term, I can’t wait to see the long-term impact of this space and what we go on to do with it next, not just for our students, but for our whole community. TP GETTING EVERYONE ON BOARD 1 Be loud and clear about your vision – enthusiasm is infectious. 2 Take some of the pressure off your colleagues by becoming an expert in children’s books. 3 Make sure the library has something for everyone to enjoy, even if that isn’t reading. 4 Find like-minded people in the community or online, so you can ask advice and share ideas. 5 Read! If you get lost in books that are being written and illustrated by incredible children’s authors, that will filter down to the pupils. 6 Be creative about fundraising and funding. Competitions, raffles, sponsored reads, weekend workshops and grants have made it possible for us to book various author visits and events. www.teachwire.net | 41