Manchester pupils heading off to high school for the first time this week or starting in reception classes at primary schools in the city, have been given a head start to their learning with the gift of free books, in a scheme that has been operating in the city now for the last five years.
More than 15,000 free books were handed out to the city’s primary school leavers before the summer holidays, and to youngsters swapping their nursery classes for reception class places – in a bid to get them reading and enjoying books, and to give them a shared experience with their new classmates as they start a new chapter in their lives together at school.
Initially targeted at children leaving primary school to go off to high school, the scheme was set up in 2020 by Read Manchester – a partnership between the city council and National Literacy Trust – as Manchester and the rest of the country tried to find their way through the early days of the Covid pandemic and the impact school closures and isolation from friends and family was having on children and young people.
Since then, the scheme has seen 48,000 free books given out to the city’s 11-year-olds, and proved such a success with pupils and schools that the initiative was extended two years ago to also support 4-year-olds going to school for the very first time.
As a result, 21,000 free books have now also been put in the hands of Reception class youngsters since the scheme was extended to include them in 2023.
Along with a free book for each child, the scheme includes special teaching resources for primary schools and high schools to go alongside the books, and ‘meet the author’ sessions for pupils, both in-person and online.
The book gifted to Year 6 pupils leaving their primary school this year was – for the second year running – ‘Quiet Storm’ (publishers Usborne) by local author Kimberly Whittam, who herself works in a Manchester school.
The central character of the book is Storm who has never liked to stand out from the crowd, and is at the centre of a story that tells what happens to her when she is suddenly thrust into the spotlight after starting Year 7.
It was written by the author based in part on her own experiences as a quiet, sometimes shy child.
Author Kimberly Whittam said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Quiet Storm has been chosen as this year’s transition read. It’s the perfect story for Year 6s preparing to take that exciting step into secondary school. The themes of change, confidence, and finding your voice really resonate with pupils at this stage and the fact that it’s set in Manchester makes it all the more relatable for so many of them. I hope it sparks great conversations and helps children feel seen and supported as they move on to their next chapter.”
Children starting school for the very first time this September and moving into Reception classes at primary school were each given a copy of ‘The One and Only You’ (publishers Hachette), by author Shane Hegarty and illustrator Ben Mantle.
A heartfelt picture book about celebrating individuality, the book takes its readers on an incredible trip across space and time to discover just how special they are.
Author Shane Hegarty said: “I’m thrilled that ‘The One and Only You’ has been chosen for the Manchester’s Early Years Transition Read. Books are an invaluable gift and great for children to develop language, confidence and an understanding of others. They can also be so important to us all at big, exciting moments in our life – such as starting school. Reading books with my children made some of our happiest memories and It’s lovely to think that, because of this fantastic project, so many children will enjoy and share this story and Ben Mantle’s magical illustrations.”
Backed by Read Manchester and Manchester Making it Fairer – the council’s five-year action plan to address inequalities and improve long-term outcomes for people living in the city – the book-gifting transition read scheme for 4- and 11-year-olds is believed to be the only one of its kind in the UK.
It reflects the council’s ambition to become a UNICEF recognised Child Friendly City, the best place for a child to grow up and to learn in, and a place where every child in the city is supported to succeed and enjoy their lives, and to reach their full potential.
Councillor Julie Reid, Executive Member for Early Years, Children and Young People, said: “Starting school for the first time, or moving up to high school are both huge milestone moments in a child’s life and can be a big deal for children, no matter how confident they usually are.
“Our transition read scheme is such a simple idea and yet one that makes a real difference to pupils, helping them interact and engage with their new classmates and teachers, and importantly also helping to really embed and kickstart in all our children and young people a real love of reading that we hope will stay with them throughout their lives.”
