Year 6 pupil Sade Lewis from Sunnyside Spencer Academy celebrates being awarded Reading Plus Champion status, a national title that 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 the programme, Sade is one of only 15 children to have completed the programme so far this year.
Sade said: “I love being a Champion! Being able to share my story and hopefully inspire other people can’t compare to any other feeling. I never expected to be in this position but now I am, I love it more than ever.”
Champions 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. They also have the opportunity to complete additional tasks. As a Champion task, Sade will interview children’s author Rachel Faturoti about her book Sadé and Her Shadow Beasts.
Verity Lee, Assistant Head at Sunnyside, said: “Sade is a real credit to our school. We are very proud of her for completing the programme and even more proud of the support she is now giving our Year 3 children with their Reading Plus sessions. Each day she listens to children read and demonstrates why a love of reading is important.
“Sade is a Reading Plus Champion because she recognises the impact reading has on her life beyond Sunnyside. She is an excellent role model and champions other children as they make progress with their reading. Her passion for learning is infectious.”
Reading Solutions UK developed the role of Reading Plus Champion to celebrate pupils and ensure they can continue engaging with reading once they have finished the programme.
Sade finished: “The stories on Reading Plus are amazing and never fail to amaze me. Every story being different but all still having the same factor of grabbing my attention is something that sticks out to me.”
Verity finished: “We ensure that reading is at the heart of our curriculum and all staff celebrate reading at all times. Reading Plus’s adaptive programme enables pupils to access reading texts and vocabulary at their ability. This enables pupils to not only develop their comprehension skills but also build confidence and a love of reading.”
Louise Walker, Reading Development Consultant at Reading Solutions UK, said: “Congratulations to Sade on your new role – you should be very proud. Not only have you accomplished something huge, but you also continue to go the extra mile to further your passion for reading.
“It is fantastic to see the positive impact Reading Plus has had on the reading culture at Sunnyside Spencer Academy.”