LOCAL schoolchildren have been celebrating their love of reading as the National Year of Reading gets underway.

Children have been getting stuck into some books at Altarnun Primary School as reading plays a central role in school life. With all Year 1 children meeting the required standard in the phonics screening check in 2025, while older pupils regularly feature near the top of national SPARX Reader leaderboards for schools taking part in the programme, it is clear that not only are children enjoying reading, but progressing from it also.

Across the school, children take part in daily story time, class reading, book clubs and bedtime reading initiatives, alongside mentoring for pupils who need extra support. Teachers say the aim is to help every child become a confident reader with a genuine enjoyment of books.

English lessons focus on building strong speaking, listening, reading and writing skills through a wide range of texts and writing styles, while early reading is taught through the Read Write Inc phonics programme.

Building on this work, the school is embracing the National Year of Reading, a Department for Education campaign delivered with the National Literacy Trust to encourage people of all ages to rediscover reading for pleasure and make it part of everyday life.

Lynsey Slater, executive principal at Altarnun Primary School, said: “Reading is at the heart of life at Altarnun, and we are incredibly proud of the progress our pupils are making. From early phonics through to older children developing fluency and confidence, we work hard to make books part of everyday school life.

“The National Year of Reading is a great opportunity to build on that enthusiasm and encourage children to discover stories they enjoy, while giving them the skills they need for the future.”