Forget sweets and crisps; this school has found the perfect treats to stock its vending machine.
Dene Academy, in Peterlee, has installed a book vending machine to encourage pupils throughout the school to read more for learning and for pleasure.
And one of its best features is that no money is needed because students can earn book tokens for the dispenser, as part of a reading rewards scheme.
Rochelle Charlton-Lainé, Subject Leader of SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural development), said: “We want to use the book vending machine to encourage a love of reading across the school and this new initiative will help us to achieve our aim.”
She said reading is a whole school priority and other literacy initiatives include library enhancements and extra-curricular activities such as reading, newspaper, homework and library clubs.
A £1,000 community grant from believe housing, one of the largest housing associations in the north east of England, paid for the machine and a collection of books for the innovative project.
Kimberley Batey, a Community Investment Coordinator at believe housing, said: “We know reading is good for everyone’s learning and skills and for overall health and wellbeing, so we’re delighted to support this project and help more young people living in our homes and communities to have access to books.”
To find out more about our available grants, please click here.
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