When we installed a book vending machine in the school entrance hall at the start of the year, we hoped it would encourage a love of reading. The results have exceeded our expectations.
Children earn golden tokens for effort, kindness, improved attendance and other achievements. They can then use these tokens in the vending machine to choose a brand new book to keep. The excitement on their faces never gets old.
Mrs Thompson, English Lead, shared the data: 'Average reading ages across KS2 have improved by 4.2 months since September. Library visits have doubled. And most importantly, children are choosing to read for pleasure — something we know makes an enormous difference to outcomes.'
The vending machine was funded through a partnership with the Northern Gateway trust and a generous donation from the Walker Community Foundation. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.