Reading plays a huge part of the literacy drive at Upton Juniors in Broadstairs – and once again children have shown they are one in a million.

All pupils who have read over a million words were invited to an afternoon tea to celebrate this fantastic achievement.

They enjoyed cakes and sipping on sparkling lemon and lime water whilst discussing their favourite authors and book recommendations.

Teachers Stevie Bunce and Emily Watkins are joint English leads at Upton. They said: “This special event is held at the end of each academic year to celebrate our fabulous Uptonians who have read more than a million words across this year.

“We are so proud of their commitment to reading as, between just our millionaires alone, they have read an impressive 42,499,945 words.

Head of School Darci Arthur said: “Well done our Magnificent Millionaires – this is a fabulous achievement.

“It illustrates the commitment that we place upon reading all types of literature for pleasure, research and information. We also have an updated well-stocked library with quiet reading areas and we often invite authors in to school to discuss the inspiration behind their books and how they go about writing them.

“It is all part of our general ethos to foster a deep love of reading that our pupils will carry with them through their educational journey and into later life.

“To complete almost 42.5 million words is a very high standard – I wonder if next year’s millionaire readers can beat that total.”

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

*For more information contact Head of School Darci Arthur on 01843 861393.