Reading is of high importance across every Bradfields community. We run sponsored read events, ‘drop everything and read’ moments during World Book Day, and even have our own Library Bus (which is currently being converted). Our students are actively encouraged to read for education and for pleasure and our new curriculum encourages literary exploration, with library lessons being a part of the weekly timetable. Students also benefit from our partnership with Coram Beanstalk – an intervention programme designed to promote a love of reading. To find out more about Coram Beanstalk, click on this link: https://www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk/
To support our endeavour, ‘CPI’ kindly sponsored the installation and upkeep of a Book Vending Machine, whilst the Co-Op is funding a selection of fiction and non-fiction books. This has enabled our students to continue their love of reading at home, at no cost to themselves. To find out more about CPI, click on this link: https://www.cpi-print.co.uk/
The cost-of-living crisis has really impacted families up and down the country and books have become a luxury item. The generosity of CPI and the Co-Op has given the students at Bradfields Academy the opportunity of choosing their own book to take home and keep.
Sherie McCormick, Subject Leader for English at Bradfields Academy
“At Bradfields Academy we strongly believe in the power of reading, and it must be accessible for all. It is the foundation of education and a great leveller that fosters cultural, social and emotional growth. Reading helps to improve concentration, expand vocabulary, inspire creativity and spark imagination. It also helps our students to improve their self-esteem.
“As educators, we know that the more a child is read to in their formative years, the more likely they are to read for pleasure themselves. And the more a child reads for pleasure, the more likely they are to achieve academically as well as helping to develop their social and emotional skills.
“In addition to all of our current reading schemes and strategies, one of our key priorities was to ensure every student across the academy had access to a range of high-quality and diverse texts at academy and at home. Through recent surveys, we discovered that over 31% of our students did not have access to books at home. Thanks to the support of CPI and the Co-op we have been able to offer every student the chance to own a book that really ignites their interest.
“At Bradfields Academy we encourage and reward effort and engagement as much as attainment. Students that show special effort and engagement are celebrated in our weekly academy achievement assemblies and will now be given the opportunity of selecting a book from the vending machine. This reward scheme has been extended throughout our English department which means every student has the opportunity to take home a book of their choice.”
Steve Daniels, CPI UK Marketing Manager
“At CPI, we believe that every child should have the opportunity to read and explore the world of literature. Reading is a skill that forms the basis of a child’s education, and it is essential that children are given every opportunity to read and develop their literacy skills.
“According to research, reading for just ten minutes a day can have a significant impact on a child’s academic performance and future success (OECD, Reading for Change article). This is why CPI is delighted to fund a book vending machine for Bradfields Academy. As a company, CPI is committed to making a positive impact in our local communities. We believe we have a responsibility to give back and we are committed to doing so through a range of initiatives.
“We support their idea that the vending machine will work on a token system, with pupils receiving tokens for effort and engagement in their English lessons. This incentivises engagement in lessons and encourages pupils to engage with the machine and choose books that interest them. We believe that this initiative will not only promote reading but also foster a love for books that will hopefully stay with the pupils for the rest of their lives.”
Students are delighted with the vending machine. Year 11 student Jack stated, “I love that we will be able to choose our own books, it will make me want to read more” and Year 9 student Katie said “I think it will help me to read lots of different books that I wouldn’t normally choose to read”. Head of Sixth Form, Chris Bolton-Clarke, said “This is a wonderful initiative that will open up access to reading for a wide range of students who would not normally access bookshops or visit libraries themselves” and parent Louise Tombs said “It’s story time at your fingertips. What child wouldn’t be excited and amazed by actively selecting and waiting for their very own book to appear, it’s wonderful!”
Jack, Year 11 Student
“I love that we will be able to choose our own books, it will make me want to read more”
Katie, Year 9 Student
“I think it will help me to read lots of different books that I wouldn’t normally choose to read”
Mr Bolton-Clarke, Sixth Form Engagement Support Lead
“This is a wonderful initiative that will open up access to reading for a wide range of students who would not normally access bookshops or visit libraries themselves”
A Parent of a Bradfields Student
“It’s story time at your fingertips. What child wouldn’t be excited and amazed by actively selecting and waiting for their very own book to appear, it’s wonderful!”