Let’s Read Together

Born out of our Year 10 Literacy Changemakers programme, the Let’s Read Together initiative has not only captured the imaginations of our students but our teachers too. The Literacy Changemakers are a group of students who have been working closely with Loddon Primary and ABC to Read to aid younger pupils in their reading. Leana Mikula, English teacher, has guided them in their literacy mentoring and was the inspirational leader of Storytelling Week at the start of the Spring term.

Staff and students from other year groups, were motivated  by the experiences of Year 10 to join them in their latest project and give the gift or storytelling by recording their own narrations to the camera (think BBC’s Jackanory) for children to enjoy, not only at Loddon Primary, but in the wider community. “These have become one of the highlights of my week.” remarked Nicky Rees, Deputy Head Teacher at The Foundry.

So far, we have seen Head, Matthew Judd, read ‘That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown’ by Cressida Cowell, with fabulous character voices, and Bursar, Keith Eldridge, tell the tale of ‘I Love You, Blue Kangaroo’ by Emma Chichester Clark, one of his own favourites from bygone story times with his daughter. This week, Livi in Year 8, a gifted storyteller, is reading ‘Sharing a Shell’ by Julia Donaldson and we are excited to reveal an original and haunting tale by talented young writer, Sophie, in Year 7, next week.

Loddon Primary are now looking forward to sharing the Leighton Park series with pupils as part of World Book Day on Thursday 4th March. Sarah Phillips, Head Teacher at the school, commented “I really enjoyed Matthew’s reading […] Thanks again for your partnership, we have really appreciated all the opportunities offered despite the challenges of national lockdown.”

Natasha Coccia, Assistant Head: Director of Co-Curricular and Outreach, commented “We know that lockdown has put huge pressure parents and teachers alike with the challenges of home and remote learning. Our Let’s Read Together programme builds on our academic mentoring programme in Year 10 and reaches out to KS1 and KS2 learners in partner schools as well as the younger members of our LP families.”

She continued “Keeping our partnerships thriving with an academic focus is a key priority for us as a school, underpinned by our Quaker values. Let’s Read Together is about nurturing a love of reading by introducing some of our favourite books to the community in an easy and accessible way. We have had a wonderful response so far!”