As parents, one of the things we appreciate about ECS is how books are at the heart of learning. We'd therefore love to support the school in continuing to resource the library to serve its growing community!

Each year at Emmanuel Christian School, the Coles Challenge introduces children to some new and classic novels to inspire their reading. Each child reads a minimum of six books, in a range of genres, which correspond to their reading level. The Coles Challenge gives the school an annual opportunity to enhance the collection of fiction books, and each child who completes it is rewarded with another inspiring book of their own to enjoy. Children in Year 3 and 4 are supported as they emerge as confident readers through 'guided reading', and the school are also looking to expand the collection of fiction books that children can read together with teachers in a group setting.

The termly topics are another distinctive feature of the school and these topics are enriched by beautiful books to inspire and extend the children's learning. The children have loved learning about the Amazon Rainforest, Robin Hood, Florence Nightingale, The Great Western Railway, the tea clippers, Colour and George Frederick Handel. For all these topics, the school scours charity shops and online platforms to bring the children's learning through books to life. Next year the topics on Egypt, Everest, Impressionism, shoes, bikes, and the Norman Conquest, to name a few, will require fresh books to resource them.

The cost of books for the school each year is around £1000. The value of the books to current families and future families is immeasurable and we hope that many families can join us in supporting this special aspect of school life.