The Ambassador’s Reception

A couple of mentions have popped up following my December visit to North Ormesby Primary School in my new role as RIF Ambassador – the first being a press release from Reading Is Fundamental, which read:

Scream Street author celebrates achievements in reading at Middlesbrough primary school

Children at North Ormesby primary school in Middlesbrough have made astounding progress in literacy in 2008 and will be treated to a special event on Thursday 18 December. Scream Street author Tommy Donbavand will present at an assembly to mark the impressive progress pupils have made in reading. Each of the 220 pupils will then be able to choose a free book to take home as part of the British Land-funded project, Reading Is Fundamental (RIF).

The whole-school event and author visit will feature free books for children to choose from and awards for Reading Heroes. It will be attended by parents and members of the local community, who are keen to gather together and recognise the improvements in reading habits and attitudes that have been seen in 2008. Tommy Donbavand will then return to the school throughout 2009 to host a series of writing workshops. Pupils’ stories and poems will be published in book form or online.

The local author, whose name recently made headlines with the blood curdling, hugely popular Scream Street children’s series, visits the school as an ambassador for RIF.

RIF, an initiative of the National Literacy Trust, aims to promote reading for pleasure to children in areas of disadvantage. North Ormesby primary is situated in a regeneration area, and for many pupils the books provided by British Land will form the cornerstones of their own book collection at home. British Land’s funding has been part of a number of initiatives that have helped North Ormesby primary make serious advances in pupils’ reading and attitudes to literacy.

Irene Picton, project manager RIF UK, commented “This is the second of six events British Land is funding at North Ormesby and we are happy to hear that the school is doing so well. In essence, RIF is trying to change attitudes and build confidence for children when choosing and reading books. We find that author visits can be very special for children, so Tommy Donbavand’s decision to become a RIF ambassador is fantastic news. British Land will also fund further events and books next year so we expect to see more great results in Middlesbrough.”

Christine Kemp-Hall, Headteacher at North Ormesby Primary, commented, “The children have worked incredibly hard in 2008 and we are seeing massive improvements in reading and attitudes to reading. This supports development in all subject areas. The children love having a visiting author as it really brings writing to life. We couldn’t think of a better way to reward their achievements than having Tommy to visit and the books so generously given by British Land.”

British Land, owners of Teesside Shopping Park, said they were delighted to be supporting the scheme. Peter Clarke, Executive Officer said: “We hope it will bring many rewards not only for the school but also for the boys and girls who will be taking part. I was an avid reader from an early age and I hope this opportunity will open up a similar lifetime of discovery and pleasure to another generation.”

Over the course of a year, British Land will give the schools’ 220 pupils the chance to choose a free book to keep at six events – a total of 1320 books.

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The local press also took an interest.  Their piece said:

Writer of the Scream Street series Tommy Donbavand dropped into North Ormesby Primary School in Middlesbrough as awards were passed out to the “Reading Heroes”, pictured above Author Tommy Donbavand visits North Ormesby Primary School.

Certificates were given to 38 pupils who had made outstanding progress in their reading.

All 220 pupils were given a free book to take home as part of the British Land-funded project Reading Is Fundamental.

Headteacher Christine Kemp-Hall said: “The children worked incredibly hard in 2008 and we are seeing massive improvements in reading and attitudes to reading. The children love having a visiting author as it really brings writing to life.”

Mr Donbavand was given a guided tour of the school, including the new library where he stopped to read some of his tales with the youngsters.

He will return to the school on a number of occasions in 2009 to help the pupils with their reading and writing.

He said: “I’m delighted to be involved. Unsurprisingly, books are my favourite things. The shelves in this library are full of adventures just waiting for the kids to go on.”

Asked about the new library, Year 4 pupil Caleb Hanif said: “It’s good that you can find a book that exactly suits your level.”

You can read article itself here: http://ts3.gazettelive.co.uk/2009/01/well-read_north_ormesby_pupils.html

Tommy