Year 8 pupils at Rydal Penrhos are currently taking part in a national reading award shadowing scheme.

A group of Rydal Penrhos pupils have been using their English classes to participate in an exciting shadowing initiative relating to a prestigious national children’s book award.

The Year 8 contingent are taking part in CILIP shadowing, which gives each pupil the opportunity to read the eight novels shortlisted for the Carnegie Award in 2021.

The CILIP Carnegie Medal is awarded by children’s librarians for an outstanding book written in English for children and young people. Every spring, CILIP invites reading groups to get involved with shadowing and Rydal Penrhos’ eager Year 8 were delighted to get involved.

They are known as ‘shadowers’ relating to the judging for the CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals. The process involves reading, discussing and reviewing the shortlisted books, in addition to engaging in reading-related activities which they can share online once concluded.

This all comes before voting for their favourite book to win the Shadowers’ Choice Award.

Before the Easter break, the pupils got the chance to talk about the books during an English lesson with teacher Fiona Earle, who is also head of the school’s Language, Literacy and Communications faculty.

Each pupil looked at the covers and read the summaries, before being invited to select a book from the selection to read over the Easter holiday.

Once they return next week, Year 8 will discuss and review the books, engage in thought-provoking tasks to put online, and make their final decisions on who their vote will be cast for.

This is another exciting part of learning implemented by Rydal Penrhos’ incredible teaching staff, which takes pupils away from the normal curriculum with a view to enhancing creativity and communication skills, which are both absolutely essential for academic development.

The Awards were set up with a mission to inspire and empower the next generation to create a better world through books and reading.

A sentiment which is echoed by Rydal Penrhos, with many improvements made to reading accessibility in recent months, the introduction of an Accelerated Reading Scheme and the refurbished Watkinson Library for the primary use for those in Key Stage 3 and 4.

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Anyone wishing to enquire about Rydal Penrhos School can do so by calling 01492 530155, email admissions@rydalpenrhos.com or register your interest online here: https://rydalpenrhos.com/admissions/apply-now.