Willow Primary School Celebrates Success at National Reading for Pleasure Event

Nichola Rossall, from Willow Primary School, has been named a winner in the prestigious HarperCollins Reading for Pleasure Teacher Awards 2025. The awards, run in association with The Open University (OU) and the UK Literacy Association (UKLA), celebrate the innovative ways teachers are inspiring reading for pleasure (RfP) in their students.

Nichola, who serves as the English Lead and Assistant Principal at Willow Primary, secured the award in the highly competitive Whole School category. Her winning entry was a research-informed case study titled "The Power of Social Reading Strategies," which outlined the successful whole-school approach implemented to foster a love of reading.

The submission detailed how the school, part of the Exceed Learning Partnership, focused on key aspects of an RfP pedagogy, including developing a social reading environment and encouraging informal book talk among students. The strategy involved giving children greater choice and agency over their reading materials, including graphic novels and diverse books, and developing specified time for social reading each week.

The judges recognised Willow Primary School's successful mission to get children and their families reading, showcasing the determination and passion of educators to promote reading enjoyment. 

A huge congratulations to Nichola and Willow Primary School from all at Exceed Learning Partnership on this outstanding achievement!