The Wells Free School has scooped second prize in the annual World Book Day Award. Schools up and down the country were asked to creatively answer the question ‘Where Does Your Reading Take You?’ so The Wells Free School responded with a clever video entry entitled ‘I Open A Book and I Am’ – and clearly impressed the judges.
Their £5,000 prize money will be spent on books for the school’s library and, in line with the competition’s guidelines, must be purchased in a local bookshop. The Wells Free School has chosen Mr Books of Tonbridge.
Head Teacher Ani Lawrence said: “We are thrilled to win this wonderful prize, especially so soon into our school’s history. We only opened our doors in 2013 and are still in temporary buildings but we have great ambitions and as this prize shows there is no stopping us! Reading is key to learning, and new books are always vitally needed: our pupils will be so excited when they see the wonderful new books their efforts have earned them.”
World Book Day Award founder and head judge James Patterson said: “I am delighted the award will help these schools engage and excite more children. Reading is a vital life skill and it is important we encourage a love of reading in kids from a young age. This award changes lives – it is as simple as that.”
Also judging the prize was Children’s Laureate and Goth Girl author, Chris Riddell who said: “As Children’s Laureate, I visit as many schools as I can, and know the differences in library facilities can be staggering.”
