A TEACHER who has created a buzz about books in her school has received a prestigious award.

Phoebe Lawton has won The Farshore Reading for Pleasure Teacher Award after inspiring pupils at Wilmslow Academy with her innovative ideas.

The 26-year-old developed a transformative project to create a new school library.

During lockdown, teachers read a different book each week for families to watch together at home on video.

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A superhero readathon encouraged children to discover stories they may not have chosen themselves.

Teachers tell youngsters what they read when they were younger and recommend books to each other as they walk around school.

Phoebe said: "There is a complete buzz about books.

"When we have visitors in school, every single hand in the class goes up when we ask them to talk about books."

Pheobe's passion for reading was ignited when she was young.

"The Harry Potter series came out as I was growing up," she said. "I remember queueing up at 12 O'Clock at night when one was released and we got the last copy.

Knutsford Guardian:

Headteacher Charlotte Clowes with pupils at Wilmslow Academy

 

"Ever since then books have always had a special place in my heart.

"I don't think it would be me if I didn't have a book in my hand."

Phoebe won £250 for books in a new school library as part of her prize in the early career teacher category, after being highly commended last year.

"It means the world to me, it's something I really wanted to achieve," she said. "I couldn't have done it without extra funding and help from the parent teacher association and support from our headteacher Charlotte Clowes."

Pupils can even browse through their favourite stories during break time as an outdoor library has also opened.

"Children share books and make recommendations to each other outside in the quiet and calm away from the hustle and bustle of the playground," said Phoebe.

Phoebe Lawson with her black cocker spaniel Lupo

Phoebe Lawson with her black cocker spaniel puppy Lupo

"I am so happy to walk down the corridor and hear children talking about books and reading," said Phoebe.

"It has improved their grammar and exposed them to a variety of fiction and creative writing.

"It is very child led, we focus on what they want to read, where, when and how.

"It has had such an impact on the children, it has been worth all the hard work."