A school in Harthill, Lanarkshire, has achieved the prestigious Gold Reading Schools Award from the Scottish Book Trust. The accolade recognises Alexander Peden Primary's commitment to fostering a positive and engaging reading culture across the entire school community.
Community Effort
Staff, pupils, and families collaborated throughout the year to promote reading for pleasure through a variety of creative literacy activities and events. These initiatives included book clubs, paired reading sessions, themed literacy events, and the work of the school's Reading Pupil Focus Group, whose members helped organise activities to inspire pupils across all year groups. The efforts were coordinated by the school's principal teacher, Lyndsay McIndewar.
Head Teacher's Pride
Stephen Whiteside, head teacher at Alexander Peden Primary School, said: "Achieving the Gold Award truly reflects the shared commitment across our school to nurturing a deep love of reading. Our pupils have embraced every opportunity with real enthusiasm, and the encouragement from our families and the wider school community has played a vital role in helping us build a lively, joyful reading culture. It's a culture that sparks imagination, opens doors to new ideas and inspires our young people to see reading not just as a skill, but as something to enjoy."
Council Praise
Councillor Anne McCrory, vice-convener of education, added: "This is a fantastic achievement for everyone at Alexander Peden Primary School. Reading is one of the most important skills a young person can develop, opening up opportunities for learning, creativity and personal growth. The dedication shown by pupils, staff and families in creating such a positive reading culture is truly commendable, and I congratulate the school on earning this well-deserved Gold Reading Schools Award."
Pupil Involvement
Pupils also spoke proudly about the activities they helped lead, including organising a book café and celebrating classmates' reading achievements through weekly awards. One Primary Seven pupil who has been involved in the Reading Schools project for several years said: "I have really enjoyed being part of the reading groups and I am very proud that we are now a Gold Reading School. I especially enjoyed getting out into the community and taking part in reading sessions with our local community support groups."
