A SCHOOL in Stirlingshire has scooped a national award in the First Minister’s Reading Challenge.

The judging panel was impressed by Cowie Primary’s investment in building a reading culture, later handing over the School Reading Journey prize.

As well as creating a new library, the school ensured that every classroom has a beautiful space to encourage reading for pleasure.

There is also a lunchtime Crafty Characters Club created by older pupils to help the younger students with their reading.

Furthermore, teachers committed to building a reading culture, with a staff book club focusing on children’s literature, as well as engaging with authors and the local library.

Donna Bullivant, class teacher, said: “What a year and what a phenomenal journey we have been on.

“As a school learning community we have read, read and read even more by immersing ourselves in reading and authors to develop a reading culture and enjoyment for reading – it has been transformational.

“We are delighted to have won the School Reading Journey Award: participating in the First Minister’s Reading Challenge has inspired and motivated our learners and wider learning community to read widely for enjoyment and develop a love of reading.”

Councillor Susan McGill, convener of the Children and Young People Committee at the local authority, was full of praise.

She said: “Huge congratulations to everyone at Cowie Primary School on winning this national award which recognises the school’s outstanding work in reading and literacy.

“Having visited the school for the opening of their wonderful new library earlier this year, I am well aware of the novel ways in which the school has developed a reading culture and how it has been embraced so enthusiastically by pupils.

“Reading has the power to transform lives, with huge benefits on educational attainment, and as a council we will always encourage reading among our children and young people.”