Littleham Primary School pupils enjoy activities at their local library

Exmouth Library has welcomed the whole of Littleham Church of England Primary School as part of a project from Libraries Unlimited to increase literacy.  For many of the children in the school, this was their first visit to the library.   

The children were divided into four groups and were introduced to the library and explained how to find books and how to take part in our activities and events.  All had the chance to take part in quizzes, to select and take books home.  Depending on their age, they took part in a range of book and reading-related activities. Reception class sang nursery rhymes, danced, listened to interactive stories and did colouring, Years 1 and 2 were given an ocean theme and explored playing with words through poems, riddles, jokes and tongue-twisters. Years 3 and 4, and then Years 5 and 6, were read the first chapter of several books and asked to give their impressions and says whether they were curious to read the rest of the story.   

The school visit to Exmouth Library is part of the Littleham Project, run by Libraries Unlimited. The charity, which runs the 54 libraries across Devon and Torbay, is on a mission to close the literacy gap by empowering parents and children and supporting teachers and practitioners with a special initiative, believed to be the first of its kind in England. 

Of the 81 neighbourhoods in East Devon, Littleham is the only one in the 20% of most deprived areas in England. Libraries Unlimited data shows that only 7.6% of children in Littleham currently visit Exmouth Library (the average across Devon is 20%). 

Littleham's Headteacher, Tom Paddon, said: "At the beginning of the year, we set out with the target of ensuring every pupil could have a library card so they have books for life. Last Friday was the wonderful realisation of that becoming reality. Seeing our pupils excitedly take out such a selection books was a real highlight. Thank you so much to Libraries Unlimited for funding our trip to the library and Beatrice and her team at Exmouth Library for being so accommodating. The children loved it!" 

Staff at Exmouth Library and the School Literacy Network, with support from Action for Children and HeadsUp, are working with children who live in the Littleham area with a focus on Littleham Church of England Primary School. 

With funding from Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival, Libraries Unlimited is providing the school with a variety of specially designed sessions inspired by the charity’s unique reading challenge 'The Secret Book Quest'. Libraries Unlimited has met with school staff to ensure these sessions will be planned in tandem with them, identifying key curriculum areas and engagement methods. The sessions will be designed to encourage five to 12-year-olds to join the library and take part in the Quest. 

Sophie Crofts, Libraries Unlimited’s Reading Development Manager, said: “Reading for pleasure is so fundamental to a child’s chance of success in life. A library is more than books; it’s a community centre, a social gathering, a chance to meet people, to talk, relax and just be, a place to study, to learn new skills and make new friends. I’m delighted that we have been able to introduce the children of Littleham School to everything that their local library can offer, and hope that they continue to enjoy and benefit from it for many many years.” 

The entire programme has been funded by Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival, the Norman Family Trust and the Gibbons Family Trust.