St Aldhelm’s Premier League reading stars graduate with honours

Reading Stars is a national literacy scheme run by the Premier League and the National Literacy Trust.

As Premiership newcomers, AFC Bournemouth’s Community Sports Trust was invited to join the scheme for the first time this year.

The club selected 18, Year Seven pupils from the Academy in Herbert Avenue, Poole, to take part in the football-themed programme.

The boys and girls attended 10 weekly ‘fixtures’ where they enjoyed literary challenges, read books, played games and completed online homework designed to improve their literacy and spark their interest in reading.

AFC striker Callum Wilson, the scheme’s ambassador also supported the pupils and was interviewed by them during a special Q&A session at the Vitality Stadium.

During a graduation ceremony at the school, the reading stars took to the microphone to tell an audience of their parents and fellow pupils about their favourite aspects of the course.

Many of them also revealed they have read 10 books or more during the programme.

They all received certificates and Cherries goody bags and a Cherries football shirt was presented to pupil Jamie Hart for his exceptional performance during the course.

AFC Bournemouth’s Head of community Steve Cuss,  said: “The St Aldhelm’s pupils really took to the scheme and were a pleasure to work with, putting in a lot of effort and really enjoying the football-themed books and activities.

“One of the highlights for them was undoubtedly meeting Callum Wilson and talking to him about his school days and what he likes to read.

“They have now become ambassadors of the scheme and we are looking forward to returning to St Aldhelm’s and working with another group of Year Sevens.”

Dagmar James, literacy resources manager at St Aldhelm’s, said: “This excellent course has really excited the pupils about reading and greatly increased their confidence.

“Indeed, when Steve asked for volunteers to read in front of the large graduation audience, almost all of them put their hands up.

“We are very grateful to AFC Bournemouth for choosing us to take part and look forward to them returning to meet a new group of Premier League Reading Stars very soon.”