When Councillor Rev. Sean Blackman became a School Governor at Grange Junior, he wanted to make a difference. So, he asked the Governing Bodies what some of the main issues were the school faced.
They answered. “Like many schools, the challenge of getting the children to read in an age of Iphones and Tablets.”
Sean offered to model by reading 100 books in 100 days: 50 modern classics and 50 children’s classics and challenging the children to read with them and set their own goals.
The Headteacher and Deputy of Grange Infant were keen to be involved and so both schools got involved with the project.
To make the project fun, Sean also offered to dress as characters from whatever children’s story the children requested. As a result, Sean dressed as Aslan, the Gruffalo and even the Hungry Caterpillar! BBC Radio Solent covered the event and helped Sean raise £100s to buy books for the schools.
At the end of the 100 Days, Sean calculated the children read over 6000 books and this was reflected in the improvement of reading in the respective Schools statistics.
Then, Sean kept on reading a book a day and went into school each week to listen to children read.
Just as Sean was close to reading 900 books in 900 days, he invited both schools to join him again for the last 100 days. Both schools jumped at the chance.
The children set their targets again and Sean encourage each class by donating an Amazon book voucher to those the class Teacher recommended.
One parent told Sean she had “never seen her daughter so excited about reading.”
The 1000 book target in 1000 days was achieved and £1000 was raised to buy books for school children.
Children read 1000’s of book again, and even, two children both read over 100 books in a four-week period.
Cllr Rev Sean Blackman says, “Reading benefits every age group and includes mental stimulation, reduce stress, increase knowledge, expand vocabulary, improve memory, develop empathy, improve social skills and appreciating the needs of others. Nothing motivates others more than someone who is doing the very thing they are asking them to do.”