Excalibur awarded MAT of the Year in National Read-Aloud Challenge

Excalibur awarded MAT of the Year in National Read-Aloud Challenge

Excalibur Academies Trust is immensely proud to be awarded MAT of the Year in the National Read-Aloud Challenge, despite an impressive 550 schools and 10,000 children taking part. Special recognition goes to Ogbourne CofE Primary School for winning in the Smalls School category and Lambourn CofE Primary School for achieving second place across the South East. Ogbourne will now be heading to the big smoke for a special Awards Ceremony at Amazon HQ to meet Clare Balding CBE.

 

The National Read-Aloud Challenge is free and involves the use of an award winning Fonetti app with a wide range of factual and fictional books, designed to build confidence and foster a love for reading. During the summer holidays, Excalibur children threw themselves into the challenge with a collective 284 hours spent immersed in other worlds.

Nick Lewis, CEO of Excalibur Academies Trust comments: “As a Trust which places great emphasis on, and encouragement for, the love for reading we are absolutely thrilled to receive this award. It recognises considerable hard work and speaks volumes about the expertise we have within the Trust. A huge well done to Ogbourne CofE Primary and Lambourn CofE Primary for their outstanding efforts.”

Vicki Edgar, Head of Customer Success at Fonetti adds: “We were particularly impressed with the high levels of independent reading and the enthusiasm shown by the children at Excalibur Academies Trust. At a time when at-home reading engagement is reportedly at an all-time low, it’s inspiring to see these students embracing the joy of reading with such enthusiasm.”

Ogbourne CofE Primary School will be travelling to London for the National Read-Aloud Challenge Awards Ceremony on Thursday 16th January to receive its award.

Special recognition should also go to Year 3 pupil Lola from Lambourn CofE Primary School who received a Highly Commended award for her fantastic efforts in exploring a range of books.

 

Notes:

https://www.readaloudchallenge.co.uk/

This challenge helps children:
  • Keep skills sharp – improve children’s reading over the break without the usual ‘summer slump’.
  • Save time when they’re back to school with less need for ‘reteaching’.
  • Encourage a love for reading and improves reading confidence.
  • Positive screen time – the independent platform allows kids to read and use the app without adult supervision.