Local Stalybridge schoolboys celebrate winning national titles for reading achievements

Three year 6 pupils from Silver Springs Academy in Stalybridge have received national recognition for their reading accomplishments.

Michael Saville, Ben Humphreys and Archie Wilkinson were awarded national Reading Plus Champion status for their reading achievements.

The Reading Plus Champion role recognises and rewards pupils who have completed the entirety of the online reading development programme - DreamBox Reading Plus.

Out of the 130,000 students enrolled on Reading Plus, Michael, Ben, and Archie are three of only 15 children to have completed the programme so far this year.

Karen Allen, Reading Plus Lead at Silver Springs, said: “We are thrilled that three of our children have completed the whole programme - they are the first to do this at Silver Springs.

“They are all very self-motivated as part of their work ethic, reading at home as well as in school. In addition, they are always eager to use their new knowledge gained from reading.”

Champions have the opportunity to complete additional tasks such as interviewing a children's author and writing blogs and book reviews for Reading Solutions UK's website.

New Champion Michael said: “I feel very excited to become a Reading Plus Champion because I am going to help others enjoy more books. I am looking forward to receiving new books that I haven’t read and the possibility of meeting my favourite authors.”

Champions also receive a special kit with prizes, including a book voucher, a certificate, a new book of their choice, and a badge to celebrate their achievement. Upon receiving their kits, Ben was: “Overjoyed and very positive”. Archie felt “Amazing! I wish I could have been a Champion sooner!”

Reading Solutions UK, home of the online reading development programme DreamBox Reading Plus, developed the role of Reading Plus Champion to celebrate pupils and ensure they can continue engaging with reading once they have finished the programme.

Karen added: “Reading Plus has had a very positive impact on reading at Silver Springs. The children are reading a wide range of texts and have a greater motivation to read. I would highly recommend Reading Plus to other schools looking to improve reading in their school.”

Michael finished: "I really enjoy how there are different genres on Reading Plus. Also, there are different ways to help you read better, like the Guided Window, which shows a section of text at a time and adjusts to your reading speed. It's helped me increase my knowledge."

Matt Lewis, Reading Development Consultant at Reading Solutions UK, said: “Congratulations to Michael, Ben, and Archie on your new roles – you should be very proud. To have three Champions in one school is very impressive and a testament to the amazing work of the teachers and pupils.

“It is fantastic to see the positive impact Reading Plus has had on the reading culture at Silver Springs Academy.”

For more information about Reading Plus, visit https://www.readingsolutionsuk.co.uk/