YOUNG bookworms had a peach of a day as they transformed into their favourite literary characters to celebrate the works of Roald Dahl.
Hundreds of pupils at Reid Street Academy, Darlington, dressed as oompah lumpas, big friendly giants, evil witches, wicked grannies and a host of other fictional fantasy figures from the renowned storyteller’s classic children’s books.
Reid Street Academy co-principal Paula Ayto said: “Roald Dahl is a hugely popular author and the children really enjoy becoming their favourite characters which they know so well.
“Even the staff have been dressing up and anyone who didn’t want to wear a costume could still join in by wearing Roald Dahl’s favourite colour yellow.
“Promoting reading is really important to us and we have been very fortunate that our governors have provided funding to employ our own reading champion at Reid Street, Chris Forster, who goes above and beyond supporting pupils by organising days such as this.”
Alongside set reading times, trips to the library and visits to school by favourite children’s authors, Reid Street Academy has become part of the Darlington Cares initiative which sees trained readers from within the community come in to school for one-to-one and group reading sessions with pupils.
“Reading is the foundation stone for all learning and it is wonderful to have people from all walks of life give up their time to help our pupils’ progress,” said Mrs Ayto.
“We are always looking for new volunteers to join the scheme as many of our regular readers enjoy coming into school so much that they go on to train to become classroom assistants and we then need to replace them.”
Prizes of Roald Dahl books were presented by Reid Street Academy chair of governors Carol Saunders to the two best dressed characters from each year group.
“I have been amazed at some of the outfits today,” said Mrs Saunders. “Parents and children have obviously gone to a lot of effort to create such magnificent costumes.
“Days like this provide a lot of fun for both teaching staff and students while also helping to improve literacy which is so important.”
