POOL Academy marked World Book Day today (Thursday, March 6) with a range of activities aimed at inspiring a lifelong love of reading.

This year’s theme, “Read Your Way,” encouraged children to explore reading in their own way, making it a fun and personal experience. Students and staff at Pool Academy took part in a variety of events designed to highlight the joy of books and storytelling.

One of the highlights of the day was the ‘Guess Who’s Reading’ competition, where 20 teachers hid behind their favourite books. Students were invited to submit their guesses for a chance to win prizes.

The ‘Extreme Reading’ challenge encouraged students to take their reading to new heights—literally! Whether it was reading in an unusual location or while doing something funny, students came up with a whole host of creative ideas.

For those with a flair for cooking, ‘Cook a Character’ was the perfect opportunity to bring their favourite book characters to life with food. From a potato person to a cake shaped like a beloved hero, there were endless possibilities to show off culinary skills.

Finally, on ‘Readathon Thursday’ staff encouraged everyone to keep reading throughout the day, by reading for a 30-minute slot in the school reception area.

World Book Day is a charity working to promote reading for pleasure and ensure every child has access to books. This year’s celebrations aimed to break down the perception that reading is a chore and instead highlighted how reading can be an enjoyable, social, and rewarding experience.

Nick Ward, principal at Pool Academy, said: “World Book Day was a fantastic opportunity to remind our students that reading isn’t just about schoolwork – it’s about adventure, imagination, and fun. The enthusiasm from students for the activities we put on was inspiring, and I hope they will continue exploring the joy of reading in their own way.”