YOUNGSTERS from Newhall Community Junior School have been congratulated on their reading skills by three of Burton Albion’s first team squad.
The pupils visited the Pirelli Stadium to enjoy a tour of the ground and to meet Brewers stars Hamza Choudhury, Tyler Walker and Marcus Harness after completing the Premier League Reading Stars scheme – which encourages pupils to develop a passion for literacy.
The reading stars programme aims to narrow the gap between those reading at the required level for their age and those under-achieving. It has proven particularly successful in transforming boys’ attitudes to literacy and in engaging youngsters with a passion for football with a love for reading.
The youngsters received their certificates from the players, who also told the pupils that it was still important for professional footballers to develop reading and maths skills.
The pupils were joined by William Allitt school librarian Jane Collier.
She said: “The children really enjoyed their visit and were talking about the trip in great detail on the coach back to school.
“Thank you for pushing the reading element of Premier League Reading Stars, which is very important."