Press Release: Book Clubs in Schools extends to North London

11 Nov Press Release: Book Clubs in Schools extends to North London

November 2018

Book Clubs in Schools extends its reach to primary and secondary school children living in North London

Aligning with our mission to inspire reading for pleasure in students across the UK, regardless of their circumstances, we are delighted to announce that Book Clubs in Schools (BCiS) will now be extending its cross-age peer mentoring programme in the London borough of Haringey. Heartlands High School will be the first to join the programme, commencing Thursday 15^thNovember.

“Reading is one of the most important activities in building literacy skills and articulacy. We create a non-judgmental space in schools where all the children are positively encouraged to talk and share books together, and to discover a real love of reading,” explain BCiS founders Beth Ginsburg and Alison Palmer.

There is a growing field of research into the potential benefits reading for pleasure can have on academic performance and mental health. Reading and discussion encourages empathy and social cohesion as well as expanding vocabulary and critical thinking. Reading for pleasure is a more powerful factor in life achievement than socio-economic background and reading fiction is associated with improved relationships.

Founded in 2014, over 6,000 students have taken part in the Book Clubs in Schools programme to date.

Ends.

Book Clubs in Schools is a not-for-profit organisation offering a unique cross-age peer mentoring programme.  We work in primary and secondary schools in disadvantaged areas inspiring a lifelong love of reading, narrowing the social gap, building character, and encouraging critical thinking and creativity.  We are the only programme which delivers book clubs within a school setting and trains the older students to lead the book clubs for all Year 7s, or 6th formers to work with younger children in local primary schools. So far the book club has reached more than 5,000 Book Clubbers and 650 Book Club Leaders.

For more information, images or to see a Book Club in action please contact Alison Palmer, Co-founder of Book Clubs in Schools, on Alison@bookclubsinschools.orgor 07808587606.