Pupils from Valence School, Sevenoaks have got the reading bug thanks to a fun packed year of literacy projects including ERIC – Everybody Reads In Class.

The award-winning special needs school, which supports students with physical disabilities and complex medical needs, declared this academic year to be the Year of Reading. A variety of activities over the course of the year have helped pupils develop literacy skills and find a love of reading for pleasure.

ERIC was one of the first initiatives to be launched and students spend 20 minutes each day reading independently or with support when needed. They also take part in book related quizzes, quests and competitions and can win prizes such as a woodland walk followed by toasted marshmallows around a camp fire.

Rosalind Brown of Valence School said: “We’ve been doing lots of fun activities and events to inspire students and their reading and overall we feel we’ve had a really great year of reading.”

Valence School won the Sevenoaks district award for Best Promotion of Reading for Pleasure at the Kent Literacy Awards 2015 staged last week. The awards were organised by the KM Charity Team which also runs the Buster’s Book Club reading scheme for schools. Find out more at www.kmcharityteam.co.uk.