Reading Ambassadors:
Reading Ambassador Trip to Central Library
Today, representatives from our Pupil Reading Ambassador Teams across our partnership of schools attended a special Reading Ambassador Trip together to Southampton Central Library and Mansel Park Primary School.
Pupils were met by two librarians that work at Central Library, the biggest library in Southampton - it stretches over three floors! They had a tour of the library and found out about the different books that the library stocks - did you know that there is a special section in the archives that focuses on the history of Southampton, including maps and artefacts?
Pupils were taught about how fiction books are ordered alphabetically and how this is organised in a library as large as Central! They also learned about the Dewey Decimal system and how Non-Fiction books are organised in the library and about the books that are in each category. They had time to read and relax in the library too! Pupils will bring back their learning from the librarians to put plans into action to support organising their own school libraries!
In the afternoon, pupils went on to Mansel Park Primary for a special 'Reading Ambassador Conference'. We learned about the current picture of reading for pleasure in the United Kingdom and were shocked to find out that 1 in 7 primary schools in the UK do not have a dedicated library space, despite the fact that 400,000 children in England do not have a book of their own at home. We discussed how important our school libraries are to us and what an important role they play in sharing our future - and how this should be a right for all pupils. We also discussed our role as Reading Ambassadors, and how important it is to promote our love of reading across our schools.
Each team of Reading Ambassadors used their learning from the conference to write a letter to influential figures, to highlight the importance of ensuring all primary schools are equipped with a library and a wealth of books to read for pleasure. Their letters will be sent to their local MP, Keir Starmer (Prime Minister) and Frank Cottrell Boyce (Children's Laureate.) They will also be sending letters to Laurence Turner MP, who is hosting an event at the House of Commons to highlight the important role in libraries in fostering a reading for pleasure culture across schools, with the hope that their letters will be shared with the delegates in attendance.
Our pupil Reading Ambassadors were such a credit to their schools and it was wonderful to hear their ideas to promote a further love of reading in our schools. We are very lucky that all of our schools have a well stocked, dedicated library and teachers that promote reading for pleasure - but our pupils have been very much inspired to ensure that all children are enabled this opportunity.
The below video captured by MIss Plazas highlights what a superb day we had together!