Reading Schemes

Playing with Words is still going strong at Blackthorn Primary school as well as East Hunsbury. In October 2006, NTFC youth players visited the school and took part in ‘reading with a purpose’ literacy activities with the whole of year 5. Ralph Newbrook from the Football Foundation visited to interview the children about their experiences with reading.

In March 2005, PWW launched in Northampton with the support of Northampton Town Football Club. Players Ashley Westwood and Martin Smith were in hand to discuss reading, authors, literacy and schoolwork, as well as football of course.

The children were rewarded with a day out at Sixfields Stadium in July 2006 as well as a coaching session.

At the end of the summer term, 100s of completed book reviews have come into the centre. Schools involved this term: Castle and Vernon Terrace Primaries. This is a great way of involving the whole year group in the study centre.

Both schools were rewarded with: free tickets to watch Northants First team play vs Gloucestershire on July 11th, free coaching, certificates

Children found the selection of books to be varied and something for everyone was available. Teachers commented that the book box lending scheme had resulted in a rise in students’ enthusiasm for reading. Books that were the most popular were from authors Jacqueline Wilson, Micheal Morpurgo and Rose Impey.

Parents also praised the scheme, saying “It was a nice change to see my daughter brining back different books and asking to read them with me.”
“Having the cricketers and Steelbacks Study Centre involves means the children are more likely to read.”