• Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

North East Connected

Hopping Across The North East From Hub To Hub

Beech Grove Primary School gifted 70 children’s books in celebration of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall’s 70th birthday

Beech Grove Primary School in Middlesbrough will enjoy a set of 70 brand new children’s books and specially designed bookshelves for the new school year.

Beech Grove Primary School is one of 70 primary schools across the UK to be gifted the books by six literacy-focused organisations in celebration of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall’s 70th birthday earlier this year.

The Duchess of Cornwall is passionate about children’s literacy and is Patron of the charities and organisations involved in the Duchess’s Bookshelves project – the National Literacy Trust, Beanstalk, BookTrust, First Story, Roald Dahl Literary Estate* and the Wicked Young Writer Awards.

Beech Grove Primary School was nominated by the National Literacy Trust for commitment to promoting reading for enjoyment. The school works hard to reap the best possible benefits for the children and they are therefore fully deserving of the new additions to their library.

The 70 titles for the Duchess’s Bookshelves were chosen after primary schools across the country nominated the books they love and would like to give as a present. The list includes a wide range to suit all ages and interests – from classics like A Bear Called Paddingtonand Matilda to new titles including Gangsta Granny and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The books have been kindly donated by publishers.

HRH The Duchess of Cornwall was presented with a set of the 70 books on the special bookshelves at a garden party at Clarence House in July, joined by top children’s authors Malorie Blackman, Lauren Child, Cressida Cowell, Charlie Higson, David Walliams and Jacqueline Wilson.

Many of the books are included in key sponsor Renaissance Learning’s Accelerated Reader programme, which tests pupils’ reading comprehension with fun, motivational quizzes. The specially-designed bookshelves were donated by Peters.

National Literacy Trust Director Jonathan Douglas said:

“Our Patron HRH The Duchess of Cornwall is passionate about children’s literacy, so what better way to celebrate this milestone birthday than by helping more children to discover the joys of reading. We hope the Duchess’s Bookshelves will inspire even more pupils at Beech Grove Primary School to enjoy reading and read more widely, which our research shows has an important impact on their attainment.”

Teacher at Beech Grove Primary School Carol Bel said:

“We are honoured to have been chosen to receive a lovely book trolley and seventy books from the Duchess of Cambridge. Our trolley will travel from classroom to classroom so that all children can enjoy reading our new books.”

See the list of the 70 books chosen for the Duchess’s Bookshelves.

By Emily