Pyjamarama Day at Old Oak Primary School
Lockdown library held with book exchange in playground
Lockdown Library at Old Oak Primary School
Old Oak Primary School in East Acton is determined that its pupils take the opportunity of extra time at home to do some reading.
Six weeks on from the day the school closed its classroom doors, the sun was shining down on a book exchange with a difference.
Miss McCartney and Miss Hepworth were out in the school playground - in their pyjamas - waiting to greet families who came to borrow a book. Normally, 1 May would see schools and families all over the country celebrating the Book Trust’s Pyjamarama Day - a day of celebrating stories whilst snuggling up in pyjamas.
However, due to school closures this was not possible. Instead, families were encouraged to use their daily exercise to come and visit the Lockdown Library, all whilst dressed in their pyjamas and following social distancing measures.
Over 200 books were on display for the children to choose from, ranging from picture books to science fiction chapter books.
The majority of books were donated by members of the community, along with others from the school library. What started as a one off celebration of reading, proved so popular and the parents so grateful, that they have decided to make it a more regular event .
Mr Brown, Headteacher of Old Oak, said “It was nice to see some children today collect a reading book from the school playground. What a good use of the daily exercise!”
Old Oak Primary places great emphasis on reading for pleasure and a love of literature. The staff strive daily to provide the children with language rich opportunities and experiences, underpinned by the ethos of the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education Power of Reading Scheme.
The school hope the success of the initiative may inspire other local schools and communities to do something similar, in a hope to keep children reading across London.
May 19, 2020