A Clevedon school has been given 100 new books, thanks to generous Times readers.

%image(14200966, type="article-full", alt="Asst. headteacher Chris Jones and pupils from Mary Elton Primary School, with over 100 books from the North Somerset Times' "Books For Schools." Picture: MARK ATHERTON")

Mary Elton Primary School is the latest to have benefited from the campaign which was set up to provide cash-strapped schools with extra resources.

Evidence shows children who can read well perform better in all school subjects.

Reading for pleasure also boosts children’s imaginations and helps them develop empathy and social skills.

The Times launched the campaign in October last year and more than 1,900 books have been given out to schools so far.

%image(14200966, type="article-full", alt="Asst. headteacher Chris Jones and pupils from Mary Elton Primary School, with over 100 books from the North Somerset Times' "Books For Schools." Picture: MARK ATHERTON")

More: Support our campaign to provide more books to schools.

Mary Elton Primary School runs a number of reading initiatives in school to encourage children to dip into books regularly.

Teacher Rachael Ten Broeke said: “Each year group has a list of 10 recommended reads.

“The children are strongly encouraged to complete all 10 throughout the year – if they do, they receive a certificate and an I Love Books cloth book bag, presented in our celebration assembly.

“We ask all children to read at home at least five times a week and this is recorded and checked off in their reading record.

“The names of those who have are entered into a prize draw for a £5 book voucher.

“This is redeemed against a book from Books On The Hill in Clevedon, who are working in partnership with us.”

Pupils took part in a sponsored read earlier this year with Usborne bookseller Donna Kemp and the school holds regular book fairs.

A number of authors including Rachel Bright, Huw Powell, Amy Sparkes and Peter Jay Black have visited the children to talk about their books and inspire them to read and write.

Mary Elton is also a member of Just About Books – a book club for staff in North Somerset primary schools – which ensures teachers are well-informed about the latest reads and can pass on recommendations to pupils.

The Times has been giving out 100 books to a school each month, but more donations are needed to enable us to help more pupils.

Donations of new and good-quality second-hand books, or book vouchers, can be dropped in to the Times office, in Waterloo Street, Weston, Portishead Town Council office in Folk Hall, High Street, or Clevedon Community Bookshop, in Copse Road.