School sponsored silent read raises over £4,000

Pupils and staff at Eaton Primary School in Norwich have demonstrated the power of reading and community spirit through a whole-school sponsored silent read, raising more than £4,000 for new books.

In a coordinated effort across the school, children took part in 30 minutes of focused, purposeful reading. Classrooms were calm and deeply engaged, as pupils challenged themselves to sustain concentration and immerse themselves in books of their choosing.

The event reflected two of the school’s core values - excellence and collaboration - highlighting pupils’ ambition to improve reading fluency, deepen understanding and foster a lifelong love of literature.

The fundraising effort was a true community achievement, with pupils, families, staff and the school office all played a vital role, with sponsorship and encouragement helping the school significantly exceed its initial target.

What makes the initiative particularly meaningful is that each class will directly benefit from the funds raised. Pupils will help select new books for their own class libraries, ensuring collections reflect their interests while introducing a wider range of authors, genres and themes.

Kate Estlea, Headteacher at Eaton Primary School, said: “This event perfectly captured what we are striving for as a school - children pushing themselves to achieve excellence, supported by a community working together. We are incredibly proud of what everyone has accomplished.”