Rolvenden Primary School has come up with an ingenious new way to help increase students’ love of reading and get more books into their hands.
The Book of Brilliance scheme rewards students who are nominated by their teacher for demonstrating a CREATE value each week – standing for Creativity, Resilience, Engagement, Aspirations, Teamwork and Enjoyment. The nominated students – at least one in each class – receive a token to use in the school’s newest installation: a book vending machine. The machine is filled with a wide variety of new and nearly-new books in good condition, some of which have been donated to the school. The nominated students also receive a sachet of hot chocolate as part of their prize with the idea that they can enjoy this whilst they sit and read their book with their parents.
“We are constantly examining ways to deliver on our motto: Small school, big difference”, said Head of Rolvenden Nick Leggat. “Recently we have been looking for ways to encourage our students to read more, in line with the Trust’s focus on The Love of Reading, and we came up with the idea of having a weekly award scheme with books as the rewards. When we saw the advert for the book vending machine, and realised we had sufficient in our support fund, the plan quickly came together.”
The scheme has only been in place for a few weeks but has already created a buzz around the school, with great excitement as the first set of winners choose their books and placed their tokens in the machine. It has also received very positive feedback from parents.
The school is now looking at incorporating the scheme into its behaviour points system (Dojo).
Anyone who has new or good condition nearly new books that could be donated to the scheme should contact the school: rpsoffice@rolvenden.kent.sch.uk
