October 9, 2014 4.43 pm This story is over 112 months old

Lincoln school students celebrate new library with reading flash mob

Synchronised reading: 1,000 pupils from Priory Witham Academy in Lincoln took part in a ‘reading flash mob’ to celebrate their new library.

All 1,000 primary and secondary school pupils at Priory Witham Academy in Lincoln took part in a ‘reading flash mob’ to celebrate their new library and to promote reading.

After spending the day learning the art of live literature with performance poet Dreadlockalien, otherwise known as Richard Grant, the students grabbed their favourite book in celebration.

Before the installation of their new contemporary £8000 library, with communal lounge area and digitally equipped learning spaces, the Priory Witham Academy students borrowed books from a small shelving area.

Alongside the launch of their new facility staff and pupils at the school have been thinking of inventive ways to promote the benefits of reading.

The reading flash mob event saw all classes make their way on to the school field on October 9 to book-themed music, parading their favourite titles and commemorating the milestone.

They were then treated to a live and interactive performance from Dreadlockalien, including a piece put together by the pupils themselves.

Priory Witham Academy Head Teacher, Andrew Madge, said: “In addition to this great event we have designed a competition for all the students. They’ve got to write a piece about why they should read.

“40 lucky winners will get to go to London to see the musical Matilda. It was my favourite book as a child and I’m now reading it with my son as well.

“Reading is a huge part of what we do. The results in English last year were fantastic, possible some of the best in the county, and part of that has been down to reading.

“Children now want to read and doing something different where they could actually come out and show their enthusiasm for it was our aim.

“The new library was a development as part of our English curriculum area and as part of that we installed a new library.

Head of English, Miss Garner, added: “The team effort getting everybody reading and even getting the staff reading has been phenomenal and today has actually been quite emotional for me watching it all come together.”