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Scream Street author celebrates achievements in reading at Middlesbrough primary school
17 Dec 2008
Children at North Ormesby primary school in Middlesbrough have made astounding progress in literacy in 2008 and will be treated to a special event on Thursday 18 December. Scream Street author Tommy Donbavand will present at an assembly to mark the impressive progress pupils have made in reading. Each of the 220 pupils will then be able to choose a free book to take home as part of the British Land-funded project, Reading Is Fundamental (RIF).
The whole-school event and author visit will feature free books for children to choose from and awards for Reading Heroes. It will be attended by parents and members of the local community, who are keen to gather together and recognise the improvements in reading habits and attitudes that have been seen in 2008. Tommy Donbavand will then return to the school throughout 2009 to host a series of writing workshops. Pupils’ stories and poems will be published in book form or online.
The local author, whose name recently made headlines with the blood curdling, hugely popular Scream Street children’s series, visits the school as an ambassador for RIF.
RIF, an initiative of the National Literacy Trust, aims to promote reading for pleasure to children in areas of disadvantage. North Ormesby primary is situated in a regeneration area, and for many pupils the books provided by British Land will form the cornerstones of their own book collection at home. British Land’s funding has been part of a number of initiatives that have helped North Ormesby primary make serious advances in pupils’ reading and attitudes to literacy.
Irene Picton, project manager RIF UK, commented This is the second of six events British Land is funding at North Ormesby and we are happy to hear that the school is doing so well. In essence, RIF is trying to change attitudes and build confidence for children when choosing and reading books. We find that author visits can be very special for children, so Tommy Donbavand’s decision to become a RIF ambassador is fantastic news. British Land will also fund further events and books next year so we expect to see more great results in Middlesbrough.”
Christine Kemp-Hall, Headteacher at North Ormesby Primary, commented, The children have worked incredibly hard in 2008 and we are seeing massive improvements in reading and attitudes to reading. This supports development in all subject areas. The children love having a visiting author as it really brings writing to life. We couldn’t think of a better way to reward their achievements than having Tommy to visit and the books so generously given by British Land.”
British Land, owners of Teesside Shopping Park, said they were delighted to be supporting the scheme. Peter Clarke, Executive Officer said: We hope it will bring many rewards not only for the school but also for the boys and girls who will be taking part. I was an avid reader from an early age and I hope this opportunity will open up a similar lifetime of discovery and pleasure to another generation.”
Over the course of a year, British Land will give the schools’ 220 pupils the chance to choose a free book to keep at six events - a total of 1320 books.
Press are invited to attend the whole school event where there will be photo opportunities with children, staff and Tommy Donbavand.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
About Reading Is Fundamental, UK
Reading Is Fundamental, UK (RIF) is an initiative of the National Literacy Trust. RIF helps children and young people realise their potential by motivating them to read. Working with trained volunteer coordinators, RIF helps to introduce children to the fun and excitement of reading by allowing them to choose and keep up to three free books a year. www.rif.org.uk
There are over 300 RIF projects in schools, libraries, early years centres and community groups. In 2005/06 RIF gave 72,000 books to 24,000 children. To date RIF has given more than 770,000 books to over 258,000 children.
About the National Literacy Trust
The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity that changes lives through literacy. It links home, school and the wider community to inspire learners and create opportunities for everyone. www.literacytrust.org.uk
The National Literacy Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, no. 1116260, and a company limited by guarantee, no. 5836486, Registered office: 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL.
For more information contact Emma Smyth on 020 7820 6256 or email emma.smyth@literacytrust.org.uk
About British Land
British Land is a real estate investor and creates value by actively managing, financing and developing prime commercial property to provide the environment in which modern business can thrive. Retail assets account for 59 per cent of the portfolio, 80 per cent of which is in prime out-of-town locations. Offices account for 39 per cent of the portfolio, of which 99 per cent is London-based. A 4.5 million sq ft office and retail development pipeline complements these holdings. The company has recently collected three industry awards – Sustainable Developer of the Year, Retail Landlord of the Year and Developer of the Year. With sustainability at the core of its business - from community involvement in the planning process, through development, refurbishment and management - the aim is to provide attractive buildings that minimise resource use and meet the needs of occupiers today and tomorrow.
2008 National Year of Reading
The 2008 National Year of Reading is a year-long celebration of reading, in all its forms. It will help to build a greater national passion for reading – for children, families and adult learners alike. The Year will encourage people to read in businesses, homes, and communities around the country, providing new opportunities to read and helping people to access help and support through schools and libraries. The 2008 National Year of Reading is being managed by the National Literacy Trust and lead partner The Reading Agency. www.yearofreading.org.uk
