This year, The Corinium Education Trust has been working closely with a wider group of schools in the South Cotswolds to promote reading. This collaborative Year of Reading project involves other partners and, with the motto of 'We are ALL Readers', aims to ensure all pupils can read at least in line with their chronological age.

One of these partnerships is with the charity Read for Good, a leading literacy charity

based in Gloucestershire, who, in addition to providing books and storytellers to children in hospitals nationwide, enable children and young people to have access to a wide and vibrant choice of the best brand-new books. In addition, they provide the all-important inspiration to help children discover a life-changing love of reading.

Read for Good have already carried out valuable work and support for schools within our project: from kickstarting libraries with new book stock, to encouraging a love of reading through their Readathon projects. However, last month they attended one of our regular Year of Reading team meetings to announce a generous donation.

Next month, we will be hosting our very own Year of Reading (YOR) book festival. With huge thanks to another one of our partners, The Barn Theatre in Cirencester, we will be showcasing two author workshops, aimed at pupils in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. The theatre has kindly offered us the use of their auditorium space free of charge for this event. This has enabled us to give out 400 free tickets to the book festival, for children within our YOR schools.

Read for Good has generously donated 400 books in support of our Book Festival. This significant contribution is part of Read for Good's ongoing commitment to promoting literacy and ensuring that every child has access to quality literature. The donation is a testament to their dedication to fostering a love for reading among children in the local community. The books will play a pivotal role in our event, where every child in attendance will have the opportunity to choose a book to take home, igniting their passion for reading and creating a lasting impact on their educational journey.

The Book Festival, on Friday 8 March, aims to provide an inclusive and enriching literary experience for children of all backgrounds. The generous contribution from Read for Good not only enhances the festival but also aligns with our mission to empower young readers by providing them with access to diverse and engaging literature.

"We are incredibly grateful to Read for Good for their generous donation of 400 books for our upcoming Book Festival. This contribution will make a meaningful difference in the lives of the children who attend, ensuring that each child goes home with a book of their own to cherish," Rachael Scott, School Improvement Lead (Primary), Corinium Education Trust.

"Read for Good are delighted to be supporting the Year of Reading team in encouraging their young people to develop a life-changing love of reading. We share their belief that spending time reading and listening to stories can transform a child's future. 'We are ALL Readers' is a wonderful opportunity for local children to experience the magic of books and stories, and we wish it every success." Justine Daniels, CEO Read for Good

Both Read for Good and our Year of Reading are excited about the positive impact this collaboration will have on the children in our project’s community, fostering a love for reading that extends beyond the festival.

For more information about the YOR Book Festival and our collaboration with Read For Good, please contact Rachael Scott (R.Scott@coriniumeducationtrust.net).