Both primary schools secured the achievement in March after completing the Scottish Book Trust’s Reading School’s Framework (previously the First Minister’s Reading Challenge) which recognises schools that are committed to building a culture of reading for learners and communities.
Other schools in the Stirling Council area to have received Gold Accreditation include Strathyre Primary School, who received it in January this year, and St Margaret RC and Killin Primary Schools who received it in June 2022.
Paula Harris, Headteacher at Cowie Primary School said: “As a school community we place a high value on simply reading for pleasure and enjoyment. In addition to the well evidenced benefits of reading for children’s school attainment and lifelong learning, we see our established reading culture contribute to children’s social and emotional wellbeing.
“We are delighted to receive our Reading Schools Gold Reaccreditation Award in recognition of our whole school’s ongoing commitment to developing children’s love of reading.”
Michelle MacPhee, Headteacher at Riverside Primary School said: “We are all extremely proud at Riverside Primary that we achieved Gold in our Reading Schools reaccreditation this year. The award is centred on promoting a lifelong love of reading and encouraging children to read for pleasure.
“We have all worked very hard to keep up with our engaging and creative learning and teaching since the award was first granted in 2020.”
Children and Young People Convener Cllr Margaret Brisley said: “Cowie and Riverside Primary Schools deserve huge amounts of praise for the work they’ve done to instil a positive attitude towards reading in its pupils since the Reading Schools Framework was introduced.
“To be the first schools in the country to achieve Gold Accreditation twice is a fantastic achievement and reflects the immense effort from school leadership and staff to nurture a culture of reading as a necessary life skill as well as the eagerness of pupils to maintain good reading habits.”