How Bookbuzz promotes a love for literature
QA Education magazine editor Victoria Galligan speaks to the team at Bookbuzz about how they engage young people with reading and promote a love for literature… How and when did Bookbuzz begin? Bookbuzz is a reading programme suitable for school children aged 11 – 13, regardless of their reading ability or learning needs. Developed by BookTrust, the UK’s largest children’s reading charity, we support schools to encourage reading for pleasure. The programme began in 2012. Five years on, over 150, 000 students from years seven and eight take part every year, receiving their own book to take home and keep. Who funds the programme? Thanks to the support of the Bookbuzz authors and children’s publishers, schools can buy Bookbuzz at the subsidised cost of £3 per student; receiving one book for every student, picked by them, 34 brilliant books for the school and a pack of practical resources including posters, bookmarks and tips to encourage reading for pleasure. Bookbuzz offers students the element of choice, allowing them to find the right book for them and get excited about books and reading. Where does the programme operate? Bookbuzz can be purchased by schools in England and Northern Ireland. Can you give some examples of your success stories? From running ‘book-tasting’ sessions, to getting heads of year to battle it out and make the case for their favourite book, we’re amazed by the dynamic ways schools approach choosing their books. And that’s so vital. Reading’s a really sociable thing – and this is a great way to get students talking about books. “Once my students have all chosen a book, I tell them about Bookbuzz Breakfast! I invite Year 7 to attend a ‘breakfast’ in the LRC. During the breakfast, selected pupils will stand up and read a passage from their chosen book to whet their classmates’ appetites…When all the food is gone, I give out the books and students settle down to read their book until break time.” “It’s a great way to make being part of Bookbuzz feel really special. After the breakfast students often come and borrow the books they did not choose.” Clare Thompson, Learning Resource Manager What plans do you have for 2019? An expert panel including school librarians, teachers and children’s booksellers are currently selecting the 2019 titles and we are looking forward to announcing them in May. Every year we see teachers and librarians using Bookbuzz in ever more creative ways to build a buzz around reading for pleasure in their schools. We can’t wait to see the programme in action in September 2019. To find out more about BookTrust’s Bookbuzz programme visit: booktrust.org.uk
Actor David Harewood backs Future First alumni networks in Birmingham state schools
Former state students in Birmingham are to help transform current students’ opportunities and give them a better start in life by going back to their old schools in an initiative to build an alumni network in schools and colleges in the city. The programme – run by the education charity Future First – has been backed by the Birmingham born actor David Harewood who went to Washwood Heath Academy in Burney Lane, Stechford. The school is one of a thousand state schools and colleges across Britain which have worked with Future First to encourage more schools to see alumni as a valuable resource in broadening the jobs horizons of the current generation and preparing them to navigate the transition from school to work. Private schools and universities have long seen the value of keeping alumni in close contact after they have left. More than 226,000 former students nationwide have already signed up to stay connected with their old school. They’re motivating young people as career and education role models, mentors, work experience providers, governors and fundraisers by volunteering at assemblies and workshops designed to broaden young people’s jobs horizons and help them achieve a career of their choice regardless of their background. David, whose film and TV career includes the TV series Homeland and The Night Manager, said: “It’s difficult for young people to understand the skills needed in the world of work unless they meet people in interesting careers. I was very fortunate because I achieved the career I wanted, but not everyone has that opportunity. Future First can help give young people in Birmingham that chance, whatever their background. I’d urge everyone to broaden young people’s jobs horizons by signing up to Future First’s network.” Matt Lent, Chief Executive Officer of Future First said: “Students cannot be what they cannot see. It is vital to open their eyes to opportunities beyond their own world and show them the range of jobs available. Alumni help schools do this by acting as relatable positive role models. If a student sees someone who has the same background has gone on to achieve success, they are far more likely to think they can too.” Future First works in six Birmingham schools, Ninestiles an Academy, Greenwood Academy, Turves Green Girls’ School, Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls, Kings Norton Girls School as well as Washwood Heath Academy. For more information, see the Future First website here. Picture captions: Actor David Harewood supports Future First’s work in Birmingham state schools.