Reading rocks as The District hosts national event

The District C of E Primary School  held a “phenomenal” and “uplifting” event yesterday as the St Helens school hosted its inaugural Reading Rocks day.

Primary school teachers and librarians  from throughout the UK attended the event which was organised exclusively over Twitter using the hashtag #ReadingRocks16  and was designed to “discuss ways to make reading rock for EVERY pupil”.

Delegates spent the day listening to keynote speakers – including notable talks from James Clements, the founder of Shakespeare and More and who works with schools to develop the teaching of reading, and Mat Tobin, a senior lecturer in English and Children’s Literature at Oxford Brookes’ School of Education  – as well as attending workshops, browsing exhibitors’ stands and networking, with the common aim of promoting both the importance and love of reading for schoolchildren.

There was also a live broadcast of the school’s radio station with host Russell Pru interviewing a variety of guests including the school’s own radio club who conducted interviews with delegates during the afternoon session.

Hailing the success of the event, organiser Heather Wright said: “Today has been a phenomenal day. I cannot tell you how uplifting it’s been to be part of such a buzzing day. We opened our doors to share our passion for reading and we couldn’t have anticipated the positive response we received.

“It has been so great to see teachers, teaching assistants, librarians and head teachers all enjoying training on a Saturday. Reading most definitely rocked today!

“Huge thanks go to all the District staff who helped make the day happen.”