Rushbury CE Primary School was originally awarded its status as a Leading in Reading school in 2019.

As this status lasts for three years, the school successfully applied again to renew its position as a Leading in Reading school in 2022.

Following another visit by representatives from the University Centre Shrewsbury and Shropshire Bookfest, teacher Kate Reeves was presented with the school’s new certificate and plaque at the annual Shropshire Bookfest conference for teachers on 16 November 2022.

Once again, the staff at Rushbury CE Primary School had clearly demonstrated evidence of an inclusive approach to running a reading project across the school, has an active school library and demonstrated commitment to providing pupils with a wide range of quality, contemporary and classic reading material that is regularly reviewed and refreshed.

This was the report from the first visit to the school in 2019 which pushed the school into the limelight as a Leading in Reading school:

A small school with a personalised approached to learning. The Head Teacher, Diane Pye, has a very clear and well-researched pedagogical approach to reading and I was very impressed with how seriously she took the Leading in Reading process. She clearly demonstrated the school’s commitment to reading for pleasure and to Bookfest activities.

The children that we spoke to had a good knowledge of (the) Book Award (project) and were very excited to be taking part this year. The pupils were particularly engaged with Bookfest’s creative writing competition and it was encouraging to hear from Diane examples of children who were previously reluctant to write who engaged in this process and increased their writing confidence as a result.

The library was well stocked and it was good to see evidence of cultural diversity here with the school’s global learning scheme. With her experience as headteacher, children’s author and Ofsted inspector, Diane is ideally placed to develop reading initiatives in her school.

Dr Lucy Andrew – Lecturer in English Literature and Programme Leader BA (Hons) English at University Centre Shrewsbury.  November 2019

As a teacher, I have found taking part in Shrewsbury Bookfest’s projects an absolute must for all the children I teach. In fact, I think I’d have a rebellion on my hands if I ever suggested not taking part.

Because, as we all know, reading – and reading for pleasure – is its own reward.  Quite rightly, in schools and in our homes, we are concerned about the pressures on our children. There is pressure to succeed, to fit in, to keep up. Social media, exams, tests… And what schools do to promote a love of reading is receiving a refreshed focus in school inspections. So, when we look at how we promote a love a reading in our schools, how we promote pupils’ well-being, personal development and mental health – I know that being involved in Shrewsbury Bookfest projects hits every one of those things.

And this is why this Leading in Reading accreditation award is so valuable. It recognises the commitment and enthusiasm of so many people who work in our schools promoting reading, coming up with great ideas to get children into books, and to get them involved in events like this. Surely, we cannot be far away from a time when children from every school in Shropshire take part in Shrewsbury Bookfest projects. Wouldn’t that be great for Shropshire and, most importantly, great for our children.

Diane Pye – Head Teacher