Two Island pupils have done their primary school proud by earning the title of Literacy Stars.

Tegan Smith and Rhys Dinmore of Richmond Academy in Sheerness are the first pupils in Swale to achieve this status, which involves taking the lead in promoting a love of reading.

The Literacy Stars initiative is part of the reading reward scheme Buster’s Book Club, which is run by the KM Charity Team.

Buster’s Book Club encourages children to read extra at home, with classes competing each week to be awarded the Reading Class of the Week trophy. A monthly inter-school reading challenge awards winning classes tickets to leisure attractions or visits by storytellers.

Tegan and Rhys act as reading monitors, collecting data about pupils’ reading.

Year Six teacher Lesley Conway said: “Here at Richmond Academy, we’re extremely proud to have appointed the first two literacy stars in Swale.

“Rhys and Tegan are really deserving of the award through their dedication and their commitment to collect the data and to share at celebration assemblies the winning class each week. They’ve done us proud.”

Tegan said: “I think it’s really cool being a literacy star because we are role models for all the other young people.

“I like Buster’s Book Club because I think it encourages younger people to read more. It just inspires them to pick up a book and start reading.”

Rhys credited the club’s competitive element for inspiring youngsters to read.

He said: “For me, the reason Buster’s Book Club is so successful is the competitions. If you have a friend next door or a brother a few years up or down, I can imagine there’s sibling rivalry – you just want to get one up on them.

“It’s really good because it gives you that extra motivation to pick up a book and read.”

Ms Conway added: “Here at Richmond Academy, Buster’s Book Club has been embraced by all members of staff.

“As a Year 6 teacher, I have found it encourages reluctant readers. Further down the school, the competitive element works really well.

“I’ve been asking pupils at Richmond Academy what they love about Buster’s Book Club. One said ‘Buster’s Book Club is great because when you read you get smarter and smarter.’

“We would love other schools to follow Richmond Academy’s lead, and sign up to Buster’s Book Club.”

Buster’s Book Club is supported by Little Cheyne Court (Romney Marsh), Kent Community Foundation, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Orbit, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Specsavers, Leeds Castle, Planet Ice, Diggerland, Hornby, Wildwood, and Kent and Medway Councils.

Schools can find out more at www.BustersBookClub.co.uk or by contacting Kathy Beel or Charlotte Hayes at KBeel@thekmgroup.co.uk or CHayes@thekmgroup.co.uk or on 0844 2640291.