Sponsored read raises money for new books at Ormiston Bushfield Academy

  5 July, 2021

Students at Ormiston Bushfield Academy have raised an incredible £1,800 through a sponsored read, which has now enabled the academy to buy a range of new books that are focused on culture, diversity and LGBTQIA+ youth.

Students from across Years 7, 8 and 9 at the academy were asked to read as much as possible in a week and ask their family and friends to sponsor them.

There was a really positive reaction from students with many taking up the challenge with tremendous enthusiasm. The wider community also showed amazing support for the scheme, with local business Barratt Homes sponsoring students for an incredible £,1000.

In collaboration with Usborne Books, the books that are being purchased with the funds raised were then selected by the Year 12 and Year 13 Student Leadership Teams, who wanted to ensure that there was lots of reading material available for students that promoted diversity and inclusion. To allow the books to be shown off in all their glory, students also elected to buy a brand-new bookcase to house them in. 

Thrilled with its success, the academy is keen to make this a yearly initiative, and they are also pleased that students will be able to enjoy the books for years to come. One student, Emma M said: “I was really excited about all of the new books for the Academy, I have already started reading one!”

Ormiston Bushfield Academy’s work is part of OAT’s broader #iwill project, which promotes social action and positive extracurricular activity in the community.

Principal, Dennis Kirwan, said: “This has been a really brilliant project for everyone at the academy – what could be better than expanding your reading and raising money for a good cause at the same time? We’re so grateful to everyone who supported students’ efforts.

“In light of it being Pride Month, I’m especially pleased that our students have chosen to purchase books that look at diversity and inclusion, and LGBTQIA+ in particular. At Ormiston Bushfield Academy, we put a big focus on these issues, and we’re very proud that our students are passionate about advocating for and promoting equality beyond what they get taught.”

For Pride Month, Ormiston Bushfield Academy also launched its first ever #OBAPride to celebrate the month long celebration. Students have taken time to discuss the LGBTQIA+ community within tutor time and their lessons, ensuring all our students feel represented.


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