Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives with reading and writing, has today announced this year’s winners of the First Minister’s Reading Challenge.
Coen, a P7 pupil from Liberton Primary School, has won the Pupil Reading the Most Books award after reading an incredible 71 books over the course of the school year.
The First Minister’s Reading Challenge was established in 2016, and celebrates the reading journeys of schools, libraries, and community groups across Scotland. The Challenge is run by Scottish Book Trust, working closely with Education Scotland. It includes book suggestions, learning resources, prizes, case studies and ideas to help young people develop a love of reading, as well as the opportunity to apply for funded author visits.
Andy Theakston, P7 class teacher (above) said: ‘At Liberton Primary School, we are incredibly proud of Coen and how much commitment he has shown to the First Minister’s Reading Challenge.
“He is an avid reader and was very keen to take part right from the start of the year. We knew he would read a lot of books during the challenge, but to win is an absolutely fantastic achievement!’
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: ‘Many congratulations to this year’s First Minister’s Reading Challenge winners, as well as to those who were highly commended.
“Reading for pleasure supports attainment across the curriculum – as well as boosting empathy, wellbeing and critical thinking – and we are delighted to see how schools, libraries and community groups have used the Challenge to develop their reading cultures.’
The First Minister’s Reading Challenge was launched in March 2016 and in its first year was open from August 2016 to March 2017 to all Primary 4 to Primary 7 children in local authority and independent schools across Scotland.
In its second year the Challenge was expanded to include Primaries 1 to 3, and in its third year, the Challenge was expanded to include Secondary Schools, Libraries and Community Groups.
Full list of this year’s winning and highly commended groups:
· Classroom Inspiration Challenge
o Winner – The Selkies from Parklands School (Argyll & Bute)
o Highly Commended – P6b from Darnley Primary School (Glasgow City)
o Highly Commended – Campsie View School (East Dunbartonshire)
· Reading Inspiration Challenge
o Winner – Dornoch Academy (Highland)
o Highly Commended – King’s Park Secondary School (Glasgow City)
· Pupil Reading Journey – Group
o Winner – Braco Primary School (Perth and Kinross)
o Highly Commended – Golfhill Primary School (Glasgow City)
· Lower Primary Pupil Reading Journey
o Winner – P1–3 from Bankton Primary School (West Lothian)
· P4 Pupil Reading Journey
o Winner – Ivy from Findochty Primary School (Moray)
· P5 Pupil Reading Journey
o Winner – Judy from Oakgrove Primary School (Glasgow City)
· P7 Pupil Reading Journey
o Winner – Daisy from Findochty Primary School (Moray)
· Library Reading Culture Challenge
o Winner – Denny Library and Denny High School (Falkirk)
· Community Reading Culture Challenge
o Winner – Virtual School NLC Letterbox Club (North Lanarkshire)
· Pupil Reading the Most Books
o Winner – Coen from Liberton Primary School (Edinburgh City)