A Story Sack scheme to support early reading development, introduced recently at Fallin Primary in Stirling, is proving to be an important community project.
A core parent group of P1 and P2 pupils - who fill the sacks with fiction and non-fiction books, related toys and games and activity ideas to stimulate interest in literacy - are the key people in running the scheme, says assistant headteacher Moira Neville.
During weekly sessions in school, the volunteers have developed much of the paper work, such as records of issue and return, checklists and planning sheets. They have learnt new skills themselves, such as word processing and desktop publising. Now they are photographing the story sacks for an in-house catalogue, says Mrs Neville.
During family sessions in the school, home link officer Nathalie Marec has played an important role in encouraging parents’ active commitment to regularly sitting with their P1 and P2 children to read books and play games from the sacks.
Sponsorship from local businesses and donations of books and games from local people have ensured a wider community base for the scheme.
Eleanor Caldwell For further information contact: Story Sack National Support Project, Pinehurst Infant School, Beech Avenue, Swindon, Wiltshire SN2 1JT, tel 01793 421168.
