Dressing gowns, lockdown and the big book swap
A PRIMARY school in West London celebrated the Book Trust’s Pyjamarama Day amid the coronavirus crisis.
Six weeks on from the day Old Oak Primary School in East Acton closed its classroom doors, kids, parents and teachers came together to host “a book exchange with a difference.”
Friday, May 1, would normally see schools and families all over the country celebrating the Pyjamarama Day, which encourages pupils and teacher to read stories while getting to wear their favourite pyjamas at school.
School closures and the current lockdown measures in place meant this year, the event was not possible. But instead, families at this London school were encouraged to use their daily exercise to come and visit ‘The Lockdown Library’ - dressed in their pyjamas and following social distancing measures. Teachers said the interaction meant a great deal to many, “even through a playground fence”
Miss McCartney and Miss Hepworth, teachers at Old Oak Primary School, were already waiting in their pyjamas in the school playground, ready to greet families who came to borrow a book.
More than 200 books were on display, from which the children could take their pick.
Mr Brown, headteacher of Old Oak Primary, said: “It was nice to see some children today collect a reading book from the school playground. The majority of books were donated by members of the community, as well as from the school library.
What started as a one off celebration of reading in lockdown, proved so popular that the school have decided to make it a more regular event. Lizzie Hepworth, English Co-ordinator at Old Oak Primary, said: “Not only does it give us a chance to ensure our children have books to read, but also gives us an opportunity to see the children we miss so dearly and to make sure our families are coping under lockdown. Human interaction, even through a playground fence, clearly meant a great deal to some parents who came to see us.”
Great emphasis is placed on “reading for pleasure and a love of literature” at Old Oak Primary, and “staff strive daily to provide the children with language rich opportunities and experiences,” a statement from the school said.
Families will be able to exchange their chosen book for a new one when ‘The Lockdown Library’ takes place again.