Success of school book gift program

A primary school in the Scottish Borders has launched a unique initiative to promote reading, distributing hundreds of books to the local community. Pupils from a mixed-age class at Langlee Primary School in Galashiels took on the challenge of celebrating Book Week by wrapping and giving away newly donated novels and childrens stories.

The project has grown steadily, with pupils aged eight and nine continuing to hand out books to shoppers in local stores and cafes. It has also encouraged a renewed enthusiasm for reading within the classroom.

Teacher Catriona Goddard explained, "We wanted to share our love for reading with the community, and the response has been beyond what we imagined." She added that the level of community engagement was a delightful surprise.

Recent research by the National Literacy Trust indicates that only about one-third of young people in the UK, aged 8 to 18, read for enjoyment, with many preferring digital devices. Experts worry that platforms like social media, audiobooks, and podcasts cannot fully replace the foundational skills gained through traditional reading.

Head teacher Jenny Grant emphasized the importance of reading, stating, "Books are central to our classroom, and being able to share that passion with the community is wonderful. The children have done an amazing job delivering so many books for others to enjoy."

The project has extended to nine local shops and cafes, as well as the town swimming pool, a visitor center, and nearby bus stops. To date, over 200 books have been wrapped and gifted to the public.

Miss Goddard noted, "The children are witnessing how much people value books. Weve even had to refill a book box in a local store four times. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many sharing photos of their new books."

Across the Scottish Borders, around 80% of primary four students reached level one in reading, slightly above the national average of 79%. Initiatives like the Langlee book-gifting project aim to further boost local reading standards.

Classroom assistant Jodie Wilson shared, "The children enjoy reading and performing acts of kindness. This project has been so meaningful that both the businesses involved and the students hope to make it an annual event."

Author: Sophia Brooks