Author event with local primary schools

Several local primary schools were invited to take part in an author event with Ele Fountain at Reading Blue Coat School (RBCS).

Aims

The aim of the partnership was to inspire and engage young readers by connecting them directly with a published author whose work they study. This addresses a need to deepen pupil engagement with literature beyond the classroom. The critical factor for success is to ensure the event ran smoothly through the co-ordinated help of the external relations team. The immediate beneficiaries are the pupils who attended the sessions and workshops. Local primary schools involved in the visit help foster continued cross-school collaboration.

Background

The library staff at RBCS organised the visiting author for our students with external schools being invited by External Relations and the Aldworth Partnership team.

Resources

Students from local primary schools were collected and returned using the RBCS school minibus. The event took place in school house with sandwiches and drinks being provided. The event was free of charge to local primary schools. Attendees also received a signed copy of the authors new book.

Impact

90 primary school pupils attended the event with 30 pupils from local state schools being invited.

Pupil Involvement

The visiting pupils were all in Year 6 and the book is appropriate for this age. Boys and girls were invited to attend from state schools and an independent school.

Frequency

This was the first time the event was made available to state schools and we hope to extend this further with the next author visit.