Being a Patron of Reading
You might be wondering what exactly is a Patron of Reading, so here is a brief explanation from the Patron of Reading website. https://www.patronofreading.co.uk/
'A Patron of Reading is a school's special children's author, poet, storyteller or illustrator. The school and their patron develop a relationship over a period of time. Everything the patron does is related to helping encourage and develop a reading for pleasure culture in the school: blogs, book recommendations, discussions, plays, book quizzes, poetry bashes, parent sessions, book trailers and school visits. The possibilities are virtually endless. Created by headteacher Tim Redgrave, the idea has now spread to over 200 schools across the British Isles (as well as to schools as far away as New Zealand and the USA!).'
Here are a few of the things the first Patron of Reading, Helena Pielichaty, did in her role as patron at Ysgol Esgob Morgan:
If you would like me to be a Patron of Reading at your school, please be sure to go through the official website.
'A Patron of Reading is a school's special children's author, poet, storyteller or illustrator. The school and their patron develop a relationship over a period of time. Everything the patron does is related to helping encourage and develop a reading for pleasure culture in the school: blogs, book recommendations, discussions, plays, book quizzes, poetry bashes, parent sessions, book trailers and school visits. The possibilities are virtually endless. Created by headteacher Tim Redgrave, the idea has now spread to over 200 schools across the British Isles (as well as to schools as far away as New Zealand and the USA!).'
Here are a few of the things the first Patron of Reading, Helena Pielichaty, did in her role as patron at Ysgol Esgob Morgan:
- Visited the school several times a year.
- Initiated the Summer Reading Challenge trophy.
- Sent a termly newsletter.
- Created a designated space on her website for staff, pupils and parents. This has allowed pupils and staff to maintain communications with Helena.
- Donated copies of her new books to the school library.
- Worked with a small group of Year Five pupils who lacked enthusiasm for reading. She consulted them about a short play she’d written and asked for feedback. Afterwards the boys were so keen they wanted to produce the play and held auditions for classmates.
- Visited the local public library to meet the children’s librarian there, Kara Orford, and sat in on a Chatterbooks session.
- Donated signed copies of books to the library from other authors such as Allan Ahlberg.
- Shared new ideas regarding reading, books and libraries, with the staff. For example, Rooted in Reading’s Reading Passports, the National Literacy Trust’s Premier League Reading Stars, the Reader Organisation and National Libraries Day.
- Participated in a family quiz which was all about her books. A fun way of familiarising everyone with her material!
- Added a guest comment to the school’s English policy
- Tweeted and blogged about her visits and the school to which pupils and staff responded.
- Recommended books about specific curriculum topics.
- Read books recommended to her by the staff and pupils.
If you would like me to be a Patron of Reading at your school, please be sure to go through the official website.
