COLOURFUL characters came to class as primary pupils brought a love of literacy to life.
Young bookworms at Springfield Academy, Darlington, which is part of the Education Village Academy Trust, celebrated a day of reading by dressing as their favourite fictional figures.
Harry Potter, The Mad Hatter, Elmer the Elephant and Cruella de Ville joined Jonny English, Bananas in Pyjamas, Charlie Bucket and Gangsta Granny as pupils recognised much loved authors from Roald Dahl to David Walliams.
Year 5 teacher Lynne Simpson said: “All of our classes from nursery to Year 6 took part in our book event and the costumes have been absolutely fantastic especially the home made ones.
“Promoting reading really helps children get enthused about books and all of our pupils enjoy reading both in school and at home.
“Reading is such an important life skill as it is the fundamental building block of all education, but it is also a great way to relax and there is nothing better than escaping into a great book.”
Springfield students were also challenged to a radical reader competition to find pupils who had read a book in the most unusual place.
“We had some great pictures from pupils showing them reading in some very strange places,” said Mrs Simpson. We even had one student reading on the ski slopes while on holiday.
“All our pupils receive a book from the academy for Christmas and it’s great to see them really enjoying their reading.”
Pupils have also benefited from a recent re-organisation of the school library, which has included the appointment of two Year 6 school librarians, Jack Engleby-Rawle, and Eliot Williams, alongside after-school book fairs and the setting up of an Accelerated Reader programme.
Year 4 pupil Megan Beattie, who dressed as The Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland, added: “I was given Alice in Wonderland for Christmas so I decided to come dressed as someone from the book.
“I really enjoy reading and it is fun to use your imagination to think what the characters would be like.”