A school has come up with a creative way to turn reluctant readers into avid bookworms.

Parkside Primary School has developed the ‘Premier League Reading Stars’ club where year five and six boys combine their love of footy with reading activities.

The sessions consist of reading activities based around football and footballers, encouraging previously reluctant readers to engage with English literature through their favourite hobby.

To celebrate the end of the seven-week programme, on January 22 the school in Wellington Avenue, Chingford, was visited by Leyton Orient midfielder, Joshua Wright.

The 30-year-old midfield maestro, who grew up in Bethnal Green, fielded a Q&A session, talking about his school life, his career and his future aspirations.

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Budding footballers show of their skills.

Teacher Larissa Batley, who runs the reading club, said: “The boys were captivated by his answers and stories, especially about why he has the number 44 on his shirt - four is his lucky number but one season the number four had already been assigned so he chose the number 44 and had a fantastic season.”

Following the Q&A, the boys got to do what they really love, play football.

Lining up on the school’s new multi-use games court, the budding footballers showed Joshua their skills through kick ups, shooting and passing sessions, followed by a short match.

Joshua then gave each child a signed photograph.

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The footy focused reading club has encouraged otherwise reluctant readers to engage with literature.

Ms Batley added: “We have found that the reading club is a successful way of encouraging children to read and develop a love for reading in an unthreatening way. The club was a great success with many of the boys now tackling comprehension style questions with more confidence.”