Delighted children from a Clevedon primary school received 100 books thanks to generous Times readers.

North Somerset Times: Vicky Angear handing over books to St John Primary School pupils and their headteacher Ian Doswell.Vicky Angear handing over books to St John Primary School pupils and their headteacher Ian Doswell. (Image: Archant)

St John Primary School was presented with the new reads as part of our Books For Schools campaign.

The North Somerset Times launched the campaign last year to provide books to schools which are struggling to pay for new resources due to budget cuts.

English lead, Helen Callow, said: “We are delighted to receive the books. It’s a wonderful project. Children can’t have too many books.”

Evidence shows pupils who read for pleasure do better at school. Reading is also proven to boost health, wellbeing and social skills.

Mrs Callow said: “We are encouraging a passion for reading because we appreciate the link between reading for pleasure, educational outcomes and personal wellbeing.

“We wholeheartedly agree the best way to promote development in reading is by instilling in children a passion for reading.

“Therefore, each class bases their learning on a class text which everyone shares through a myriad assortment of activities, for example drama, hot-seating, displays and visits.

“This exciting, multi-sensory style of learning inspires curiosity and helps the children to develop empathy, understanding and vocabulary through immersion in a story.”

Every class has its own story area with a selection of books for children to enjoy and the school recently opened a new library.

Ms Callow added: “Classes aim to get their five-a-day of literary nourishment by reading a variety of texts in a variety of ways including poems, prayers, fiction stories and non-fiction texts either independently, in pairs or in larger groups.

“A highlight for the youngest children is the opportunity to read with older pupils, particularly brothers and sisters.”

The Times wants to give 100 books out to a primary school each month, but it is appealing for donations of gift vouchers and books. Donations can be taken to the Times office in Waterloo Street, Weston, to Clevedon Community Bookshop, in Copse Road, or to the Portishead Town Council office in the Folk Hall.