“The links with Zoe and Wolverhampton Grammar School, are enabling greater literacy access and support for our school community.”
Nicky Payne, Deputy Head, Penn Fields School
Over the last nine years, Wolverhampton Grammar School has been inspiring a love of reading amongst the young people of Wolverhampton. During that time, over 82,000 children have been engaged both in-person and virtually, across more than 216 events.
This year the work of Head Librarian, Zoe Rowley and the Jenyns Library was recognised with a shortlisting for an Independent Schools of the Year Award for Outstanding Educational Partnerships.
A chance to express their views
Zoe has given children a voice and chance to express their views about books by introducing the Wolverhampton Children’s Book Award now in its 5th year and voted for by young readers aged 9 – 13. Introduced last November, the Two Cities Award extende this to teenage readers. The Wolverhampton Young Authors’ Prize, now in its 3rd year encourages pupils in Years 3 to 11 to enter their stories into a competition. This year the winners had their stories recorded by author Cliff McNish. The library is currently running The Bennett Story Garden Writing Competition, offering the opportunity to have your story recorded and added to the garden.
The work of the Jenyns Library is very much at the heart of the School and has touched the lives of so many in our school community but Zoe’s work is known and loved by those far beyond the school walls and has had a far-reaching impact on young lives.
“The links with Zoe and Wolverhampton Grammar School, are enabling greater literacy access and support for our school community. We are a local special school, with students age from 5 – 19 years from across the City with a ranging degree of cognitive, communicative, emotional, and social needs.
The opportunities, Zoe has offered support our curriculum and assist us in raising the profile of reading within our school environment.”
Nicky Payne, Deputy Head, Penn Fields School
Duncan McAllister and Zoe Rowley
WGS Librarians
“WGS are always reaching out to a broad range of schools in our city to offer opportunities we would not normally benefit from. Zoe organises these with passion, inclusivity and care. It is always a wonderful celebration when all schools (not just feeder schools) come together to raise aspirations.”
Stacy McHale, Principal, St Teresa’s Primary School
Discover Reading Project
Our Discovery Reading Project is a transatlantic partnership brought about through links with Old Wulfrunian, Dr Stephen Hegedus, Dean of Southern Conneticut State Univeristy. The project began in Summer 2022 with the aim of reinforcing the importance of reading for young children of primary school age.
“The Discover Reading Project was a wonderful way of engaging disadvantaged pupils and their families in reading and developing a love of books through varied and engaging events.
Zoe’s dedication, passion, and hard work have made a real difference to the reading culture at Merridale and beyond.”
Laura Towle, Headteacher, Merridale Primary School