The Magical World of Reading at RAPS

Children and staff shared the joy of the written and spoken word through a structured programme of fun learning activities.

Familiar colourful characters and costumes from a range of authors leapt from the pages of storybooks and into the classrooms and corridors as pupils dressed as their favourites.

Whole school reading activities included visits and workshops with author illustrator Em Cosh, dance teacher Lizzie Prince and the Happy Reading Bookshop,

Children were entranced and engaged by a range of fun, reading-based activities, including a live lesson with exciting authors, and exciting activities around the children's favourite books.

Pupils were encouraged to bring in their favourite book either from home, the library or the school library and they could dress as either one of the characters from this book or they could come in their comfy reading clothes. Lots of teachers came in their PJs.

There was also a visit from Nicci Rosengarten from The Happy Reading Bookshop in Broadstairs who brought in the incredible World Book Day books - children then used their WBD vouchers to select their favourite of all the titles.

Year 6 went to the Newington library where their teachers facilitated a special story-telling session and the children browsed and read books.

In the classrooms, teachers organised a range of exciting activities including a special masked reader, comic book strips, draw-along sessions but mainly children enjoyed sharing their favourite stories with each other.

Children's author Em Cosh brought their new book 'The Magic Scarf' giving the whole school a sneak preview before it is released. They facilitated workshops with our Year 2 and Year 5 children and showed them how to develop a character with a magic piece of clothing.

Lizzie Prince then created a dance workshop using Em Cosh's character Jay as inspiration, with children using movement to express Jay's feelings as they move through the story.

After this, Em held a Q&A with Year 6 children who asked insightful questions about Em's writing and illustrating process.

The day ended with a lovely reading session for younger children in the garden.

Event co-ordinator is teacher Claire O’Flahery. She explained: “This year the theme was 'Go All In!' – it is all about finding your own way to enjoy reading, whether that’s through fantasy, facts, comics, mysteries, poetry, or anything else that inspires you.

“At RAPS we know how important it is to develop children as readers as it the single biggest indicator that a child will grow up to enjoy a happier and successful life.

“We continue to foster a love of reading throughout our school year, through a curriculum filled with high quality texts, termly library trips and engagement with authors and our local children's bookshop Happy Reading.

“We are passionate about reading and believe that every child deserves to be a reader - World Book Day was an excellent showcase of this value. It was wonderful to see children engaging in the workshops and activities in class as well as asking the author such interesting questions.”

Em Cosh said: 'It is always so touching to see children engage so positively with the work. It was wonderful to return to RAPS and see how well they develop children creatively and the work they produced in the workshops was thoughtful and original.”

Head of School Nick Budge said: “The use of language is a central part of our learning and our focus on reading and the joy it brings is a way to explore so many different avenues for our children.

“It was a spectacular day as magical as the characters and stories that captivate us all. Loving books and being excited to immerse yourself in a thrilling story is the right of every child, and we nurture it from the youngest of ages.”

Ramsgate Arts Primary School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Upton Junior School and Chilton Primary School.

*For more information, contact Head of School Nick Budge on 01843 582847