Four primary schools in borough of Rochdale gifted with Instant Libraries

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Four schools in the borough of Rochdale have received 30 brand new books each

Four primary schools in the borough of Rochdale have received a brand new Instant Library from UK limited liability partnership KPMG and the National Literacy Trust, supporting children whose literacy and learning has been profoundly affected by Covid-19.

Spotland Primary School, All Saints Church of England Primary School and Meanwood Primary School in Rochdale and St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary School in Heywood have received 30 brand new books published by Penguin Random House, as well as engaging and entertaining reading and writing activities that can be used in the classroom and at home.

Schools will also receive National Literacy Trust membership for one year, giving teachers access to hundreds of inspiring resources, school improvement tools and online training.

The initiative is supported by bestselling and award-winning children’s authors and illustrators Sam Copeland, Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola. In addition to receiving an Instant Library containing Sam Copeland’s ‘Charlie Changes into a Chicken’, and Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola’s joyous ‘Look Up!’, some schools may receive school visits from the trio later this academic year, when social distancing measures allow them to do so.

A series of storytelling videos featuring Copeland, Bryon and Adeola that were created for Puffin Storytime this summer are also available for schools in Rochdale to access for free to help inspire pupils’ love of reading all year round.

Jonathan Douglas, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, said: “School libraries will play a vital role in supporting the literacy, learning and wellbeing of all children as they return to school after such a significant disruption to their education. KPMG’s Instant Libraries, alongside the incredible Sam Copeland, Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola, will help to bring the magic of stories to life for children who need them most.”

Author Sam Copeland, who attended the virtual training to talk about why he is an ambassador for the campaign and what books and stories mean to him, said: “It was so rewarding to be part of the National Literacy Trust’s training, talking to volunteers ahead of their vital efforts to bring storytelling to life for children across the UK. With literacy rates facing even bigger obstacles this year, KPMG’s Instant Libraries are providing vital support for schools in need, and I am proud to play a part in these efforts during such a difficult time for all.”

The initiative is part of KPMG’s Reading the Future campaign which celebrates the firm’s 150th anniversary: in total, KPMG will donate Instant Libraries to 150 primary schools, gifting 4,500 brand new books and helping 22,500 children discover a love of reading.

View storytelling videos from Sam Copeland, Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola via Puffin Storytime:

• www.penguin.co.uk/articles/children/2020/apr/puffin-storytime-series.html

Visit the National Literacy Trust’s brand new Virtual School Library for a free ebook or audiobook, exclusive video and recommended reads from a different children’s author every week:

• https://wordsforlife.org.uk/virtual-school-library/