St Aldhelm’s students will soon be ‘Premier League Reading Stars’ – with help from AFC Bournemouth.
We are delighted that the Cherries have chosen to launch this innovative literacy programme with selected Year 7 students at St Aldhelm’s Academy.
Premier League Reading Stars is a joint initiative between the Premier League and the National Literacy Trust and is now in its 13th year.
However as Premier League newcomers, this is the first time AFC Bournemouth’s Community Sports Trust has been involved in the scheme.
They will launch the 10-week programme at St Aldhelm’s Academy on February 25. The scheme uses the motivational power of football to inspire children, particularly boys, to enjoy books.
Students will take part in online challenges, games and activities and will be rewarded with exclusive clips of their heroes talking about their top footballing moments.
Pupils will also receive Premier League branded stationery and the Academy will receive 20 books, selected specifically to appeal to reluctant readers.
The programme is proven to bring about impressive increases in attainment and attitude to literacy. The latest evaluation of the programme revealed:
- A 50% increase in the number of children who enjoy reading at the end of the programme
- A 75% increase in the number of children who enjoy reading “very much.”
- Increases in reading confidence after taking part; from 63.5% to 80.5%.
- A clear impact on reading volume; almost twice as many children read 10 books in a month after completing the programme.
