Around 60 children from six Northamptonshire primary schools discovered the joy of reading during a special BIG50 Book Festival event hosted by the University of Northampton.
Pupils from Years 4, 5 and 6 visited the University’s Waterside Campus on Monday 19 October for an afternoon designed to encourage reading for pleasure, particularly among children who may be reluctant or disengaged readers.
Supported by University teaching academics, teacher training students and staff from the University’s Learning Library and Support Services, the children took part in a series of interactive reading and oracy activities, explored the University’s library and discovered new ways to engage with books and storytelling.
The event formed part of the wider BIG50 Book Festival, a week-long programme of free activities taking place across North Northamptonshire to promote reading, literacy and storytelling among people of all ages.
Welcoming the pupils, Dr Laura-Jane Devanny, Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Northampton, encouraged children to embrace reading regardless of their current confidence levels.
She said: “The aim for this afternoon is really to get everybody more excited about books. We all love reading and we want to share that passion with you.
“Maybe if you’re not such a confident reader, or you don’t enjoy reading very much at the moment, hopefully this afternoon will make a really big difference and perhaps change the way you feel about reading.”
Children took part in a range of activities, including a tour of the University’s library, book discussions led by trainee teachers, poetry workshops and interactive storytelling challenges.
Megan Bradley, Class Teacher and Reading Lead at Grange Primary School in Kettering, said: “We know there’s not enough reading for pleasure among our children, so we’re making a big push to get them into reading.
“That’s why I really wanted to bring them here. It’s been lovely. Our pupils are desperate to go back down to the library because of all the resources they’ve seen. They’ve made links with topics they have learned about in history and now they want to immerse themselves in them.”
Eight-year-old Marlee Hearn from Corby Old Village Primary School, said: “It was fun. I enjoyed going into the room with all the teaching supplies. I found Goldilocks puppets and we decided to make a story about them.
“I don’t have many books at home, but I like reading. It helps your brain, teaches you more words and stories you might enjoy.”
The BIG50 Book Festival is part of the wider BIG50 Vision, a 25-year initiative launched in January 2025 to improve social mobility, raise aspirations and create greater opportunities across North Northamptonshire.
School attended the day are also part of University of Northampton’s School Engagement (Widening Access) programme which aims to increase the range of people who have access to higher education.