Reading Clubs in Schools
The Chatterbooks DfE-funded project we piloted last year to establish reading clubs in schools proved so successful that we are now offering the same service to all schools in Tower Hamlets.
The Chatterbooks model of reading a variety of books around a particular subject – such as “action and adventure”, “spine-tinglers” or “funny fiction” – has enthused children about books and encouraged them to read more.
“The skills we learn in Chatterbooks, such as making a personal response, have made pupils more confident in their literacy lessons within the classroom. It’s a great way to make reading as special as is ought to be and to enhance the profile of reading and storytelling in our school.”
Jill Parish, Thornhill Primary School, Cardiff
For more information, contact the library on 020 7364 6428
Tower Hamlets Schools Library Service now offers the following two options:
Chatterbooks Starter Package:
For schools wanting to start Chatterbooks reading clubs, this package includes:
- a two-hour inset in school
- leader’s handbook
- 10 children’s welcome packs
- scrapbook for recording events at the club
- evaluation survey
- email updates
- an additional ticket to borrow and have delivered themed collections of books to support the club from the Schools Library Service twice a term.
Chatterbooks Continuation Package:
For schools that have already run clubs and undergone training and wish to run further clubs, this basic package consists of
- 10 children’s welcome packs (or as many as you need)
- scrapbook for recording events at the club
- evaluation survey
- email updates
- an additional ticket to borrow and have delivered themed collections of books to support the club from the Schools Library Service twice a term.
Find these packages on “SLAonline” or for more information, contact Gillian Harris, Tel 020 7364 6428.
email: gillian.harris@towerhamlets.gov.uk,
2015 Chatterbooks Project
For information
In March 2015, the Department for Education published a report Reading: The Next Steps, in which it recommends that primary schools in the UK organise book clubs for key stage 2 pupils, and arrange library membership for all their year 3 pupils.
Tower Hamlets Schools’ Library Service is one of 20 services around the country that has been awarded a small amount of funding to support these aims. The project aims to work with schools / pupils with lower than average key stage 2 reading levels and higher than average numbers of children receiving the pupil premium.
Participating schools will undertake to:
- Train two group leaders in the school (this can include your school librarian).
- Select up to 20 children for the Chatterbooks groups.
- Carry out an evaluation process before and after the programme.
- Run ten Chatterbooks sessions between October 2015 and February 2016, including a visit to the local library / Idea Store and a visit to an author event at a central venue.
The project will pay for:
- Chatterbooks bags for 20 children.
- An author visit at a central venue for all book clubs in the project.
- Training for teachers and librarians (but not supply cover).
- Schools’ Library Service to provide lending collections of books to support the clubs.
If you are interested in being one of the ten schools funded by the project, please get in touch as soon as possible. Existing book clubs are eligible for inclusion in the project
Designed to support teachers and librarians who run reading clubs, this package includes a reading club leader’s handbook, Chatterbooks children’s bags (you specify how many) and internet access to regular bulletin of ideas and publisher offers. Chatterbooks materials are designed and supplied by The Reading Agency.
