Albion encourages pupils to read for world book day
Albion stars took part in a live workshop with primary schools to encourage a love of reading and writing.
Neal Maupay and Katie Startup shared their love of books and reading with more than 220 pupils from local schools at an online literacy workshop organised by Albion in the Community for World Book Day. You can watch the full workshop here.
The online workshop included a writing masterclass with children’s author Ben Lyttleton who wrote the series of ‘Football School’ books and a question-and-answer session with Neal and Katie on why they think reading is important and the books they enjoyed as a child.
Recent research shows that the number of eight to 18-year-olds reading for pleasure has been falling every year with less than a quarter of under 18’s now reading daily.
Albion players were keen to play their part in helping to inspire young people to read more. Neal explained: “I remember when I was a kid my relationship with books wasn’t very good. I had a lot of energy and wanted to go outside and play sport and didn’t take time to read. But as I became older, I started to read and enjoyed it and now it’s an important part of my life.”
Katie agreed: “At primary school, I struggled with reading and writing but improved this by starting with easier books. I loved the Roald Dahl books and read them over and over. They were so easy to read and gave me inspiration to love reading.”
The session was part of Albion in the Community’s wide-ranging programme of educational workshops that are delivered in over 140 schools each year, many of which have been adapted as virtual workshops for schools during the lockdown.
Speaking about the event, Albion in the Community’s school’s manager Rob Josephs said: “Helping children to discover a love of reading is essential for developing their life skills. It supports their imagination, creativity and concentration and can be an important part of relaxing and reducing stress.
“Using the popularity of football and the club as a hook to inspire reading is really effective. We have so many teachers telling us how our engagement has ignited a new found love of books amongst their class. The use of players as role models gives us a great platform to motivate and enthuse children in their reading.”
With schools returning to the classroom from the 8th March, Albion in the Community will be delivering a comprehensive programme of football-themed maths, literacy, wellbeing and physical education workshops in schools across Sussex.
To find out more about Albion in the Community’s work in schools, please visit: www.bhafcfoundation.org.uk/schools
To request a workshop at your school email: schools@bhafcfoundation.org.uk