Thirty thousand books to be given away to schools who sign up to the Premier League Primary Stars programme
The Premier League will be giving away two thousand book boxes to primary school teachers who sign up to the new literacy offer available on the Premier League Primary Stars website. The book boxes, which contain 15 different titles from authors such as Julia Donaldson, Jacqueline Wilson and Dan Freedman, have been created in partnership with the National Literacy Trust.
Premier League Primary Stars is a new programme which has seen the Premier League work with education specialists to create and develop free, curriculum-linked Key Stage 1 and 2 resources, which can be used for lessons or to supplement existing in-class delivery of PE, PSHE, literacy and numeracy. The programme aims to develop skills and ambition both on and off the sports field with resources for girls and boys aged 5-11 years old.
The opening of the free online literacy offer, which includes packs, resources, and lesson plans for teachers, has been timed to go live on a day in which school children across the world will be celebrating characters from their favourite stories for World Book Day. Teachers who have not already signed up to the site can register now at www.plprimarystars.com.
The Premier League have worked with the National Literacy Trust to develop the literacy element of the programme, with the two having worked closely on the Premier League Reading Stars over the past fifteen years. Richard Scudamore, the Executive Chairman at the Premier League has also signed the Vision for Literacy Business Pledge which sees businesses commit to helping improve literacy levels.
Cressida Cowell, author of How to Train your Dragon, whose title ‘How to Fight a Dragon’s Fury’ features in each of the Book Boxes, said of the initiative: “Literacy and reading is imperative for young children and their development both socially and psychologically.
I am a National Literacy Trust ambassador and I have been working very closely with the Premier League on the development of the literacy element of the Primary Stars programme, so it makes me extremely proud to be a part of an initiative that will be giving away 30,000 free books to young people.”
Frank Lampard, former Premier League footballer and author of Frankie’s Magic Football series added: “This is a great way of engaging young people in reading. The book boxes give schools an array of titles for their lessons, so there’s something in there that everyone in the class can enjoy.
“My inspiration for the Frankie’s Magic Football series came from my daughters, who wanted to read more stories about football. I hope that the inclusion of ‘Olympic Flame Chase’ in the Primary Stars book box will encourage other young people to pick up a book that might pique their interest and help them to enjoy reading.”
Each of the two thousand book boxes being given away will contain the following titles:
| Book Title: | Author: |
| Danger Is Everywhere: A Handbook for Avoiding Danger | David O’Doherty |
| Football Academy: Reading the Game | Tom Palmer |
| Middle School: I Funny | James Patterson |
| The Unlikely Adventures of Mabel Jones | Will Mabbit |
| Foul Play | Tom Palmer |
| Brooksie | Neil Arksey |
| Friendly Matches | Allan Ahlberg |
| Young Bond: SilverFin | Charlie Higson |
| Double Down (Diary of a Wimpy Kid book 11) | Jeff Kinney |
| The Worry Website | Jacqueline Wilson |
| The Racehorse Who Wouldn’t Gallop | Clare Balding |
| Skills from Brazil | Dan Freedman |
| Stick man | Julia Donaldson |
| Olympic Flame Chase: Book 16 (Frankie’s Magic Football) | Frank Lampard |
| How to Fight a Dragon’s Fury: Book 12 (How To Train Your Dragon) | Cressida Cowell |
For more information on the Premier League Primary Stars programme, please contact Katie Holmes: 0207 864 9149 / kholmes@premierleague.com
About Premier League
We seek to play the most competitive and compelling football in full and vibrant stadiums; inspire fans, communities and partners through their participation; create interest and opportunity to invigorate lives across the globe.
For more information on the football, our fans, their communities and the Premier League’s work across these areas go to http://stories.premierleague.com/2015-16/
About the National Literacy Trust
We are an independent charity dedicated to raising literacy levels in the UK. Our research and analysis make us the leading authority on literacy. We run projects in the poorest communities, campaign to make literacy a priority for politicians and parents and support schools.
Visit www.literacytrust.org.uk to find out more, donate or sign up for our free email newsletter. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The National Literacy Trust is a registered charity no. 1116260 and a company limited by guarantee no. 5836486 registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in Scotland no. SC042944. Registered address: 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL.
