From sharing favourite bedtime stories, literary quizzes and dressing up as storybook characters, the annual event helps to foster a love of reading in all of our students which is key to unlocking creativity, imagination and lifelong learning.

Whether it’s discovering new worlds, stepping into the shoes of fascinating characters, or gaining knowledge, books have the power to inspire and transform lives.

This year, our Community Team worked with World Book Day partners, Rubies and Parentkind, securing hundreds of costumes to enable students to celebrate their favourite literary characters.

The initiative benefited multiple academies, including Co-op Academy Brownhill, Clarice Cliff, Glebe, Oakwood and Smithies Moor.

The Regional Community Manager for Co-op Academy Glebe was successful in receiving a donation of 70 new costumes for pupils. The costumes will also be used for the children to wear for school productions and imaginative play beyond World Book Day.

Staff in the Early Years classes observed children had been more imaginative and expressive in their roleplay as a result of wearing the costumes.

The whole school, staff and pupils were thrilled to receive the donation with Glebe’s Academy Community Pioneer, Helen Maybury, saying: “It was so exciting to receive the costumes, the children love wearing them and they look amazing.”

Will Goodrum, Regional Community Manager, secured similar donations for academies in West Yorkshire. He said: “Encouraging a love of reading from an early age is vital, as it not only sparks imagination but also helps children develop the skills they need to lead happier and more successful lives.

“Providing so many costumes for pupils as part of World Book Day was fantastic and we’re thrilled the children are enjoying them so much.”

Liz Garrity Head of Community, said: “Parentkind has given children the opportunity of dressing up for World Book Day and finding the fun in reading and books. This has been a brilliant example of how the Community team have been able to source support for helping our academies develop learning.”  

Take a look at some of the fantastic ways our academies celebrated World Book Day…