Bloomsbury authors visit schools as part of new reading programme

More than 1,000 children in school years three and four, and their teachers, are taking part in a local reading programme developed by the National Literacy Trust (NLT) Hub in Hastings with Bloomsbury Publishing.

Bloomsbury authors are visiting seven Brighton Academies Trust schools throughout Hastings during the 2023 academic year as part of the The Lit Up project. The aim is to increase literacy levels, as well as the frequency and enjoyment of reading for children.

The programme includes termly activities that create a "whole school" focus on reading, builds engagement among families, gifts books to children throughout the school year, and supports teachers to broaden the teaching of reading and the range of titles covered.

In the autumn term, authors Molly Potter, author of How Are You Feeling Today?, and Sufiya Ahmed, author of Rosie Raja: Churchill’s Spy, worked in school with the children on the theme of personal care and emotion. Meanwhile, in the spring term, the theme has been focused on the environment, with Caryl Hart visiting all seven schools to talk about her book Meet the Oceans.

For the final term, author Iszi Lawrence will be visiting to talk about The Time Machine Next Door, which brings lesser-known parts of history to life. In addition, author Andrew Jennings, a teacher, school leader and author of the Ninja series, is supporting on teacher training throughout the academic year.

The final part of the project, Teatime Tales, invites parents and carers into school to join their children for a shared reading experience.

Karl Burnett, group director of people and engagement, said: “We want the children of Hastings to fall in love with reading and see its possibilities. Working with the National Literacy Trust and the Brighton Academies Trust can really make a difference to reading and be supportive to schools on their terms; and to do that we need to bring our authors into their schools and create some Bloomsbury magic and inspiration for the teachers and for the kids.”

Alison Sleet, Hastings Literacy Hub manager, added: “Every child in Hastings deserves the opportunity to fall in love with reading and develop the literacy skills that will help them thrive. National Literacy Trust research shows that author visits to schools have a positive relationship with children and young people’s reading skills, as well as their enjoyment and confidence in reading and writing.

"Working with our friends at Bloomsbury Publishing, we will be able to reach the children who need our help the most, hopefully sparking a life-long love of reading that can change life stories.”