Pupils and teachers at St Mary’s CofE Primary Academy have been presented with a One Education Reading Award in recognition of the school’s high level of achievement in encouraging children to read regularly.

The bronze gong was awarded to the school as part of a project run by specialist education provider One Education and was gained thanks to the involvement of the whole school from nursery to Year 6.

The criteria for the award included the school’s provision of a wide range of texts in all subjects to help enrich the curriculum.

Organisers said the award is also in recognition of the staff’s expertise in teaching reading to all children and of the support given to students to ensure that they all leave as readers. 

Additionally, it shows the how the school has focused on providing children with the skills, the passion, and enthusiasm needed for reading.

To encourage reading, the school has initiatives such as Million Word Club, a Blue Peter style totaliser displaying the names of pupils who manage to read 1,000,000 words. 

The school also has its own vending machine for children to choose brand new books from.

Headteacher Ben Hodson said the whole school was delighted to receive the award and added:

“Reading is our highest priority and the best way we can ensure academic success for children in their education and later lives. We know that children who read well, do well. Back in the summer term, our Year 6 children performed exceptionally well and the progress they made was significantly above the national average. I am encouraged by the hard work of the staff here at St Mary’s in gaining this award.”

The One Education Reading Award is a reading quality standard for schools and education settings. The organisation states that it is the only mark that supports schools with the development of their entire reading curriculum.