As the MP for Southampton Test, I have the privilege of meeting and hearing about the achievements of so many talented young people of all ages across our city. Whether in schools, at community events, or in Parliament, I always want to champion the incredible potential of our children and encourage them to aim high.
Southampton gave me so much growing up as a child from the inner city on free school meals, and I want to ensure that this new generation are supported too.
That’s why I was absolutely delighted to hear about the fantastic achievements of pupils from the Learning Federation Partnership of Schools in the recent National Reading Champions Quiz.
Hosted by the National Literacy Trust, this exciting competition brought together schools from across the South East, including Surrey, Kent, and Sussex, to put their literary knowledge to the test. The event was a true celebration of reading, with Year 5 and Year 6 pupils showcasing their passion for children’s literature through quick-fire questions, anagram challenges, and true/false rounds. What made this even more impressive was that many of the competing schools were secondary level – yet our brilliant primary school pupils held their own and did Southampton proud!
I am thrilled to share the incredible results achieved by our local Test schools:
- Holy Family Catholic Primary School – 13th place
- Mansel Park Primary & Nursery School – 19th place
- Sinclair Primary & Nursery School – 26th place
A special mention must go to Mansel Park Primary & Nursery School, who were awarded the Participation Award for their outstanding sportsmanship and team spirit. This recognition highlights their commitment to values such as positivity, determination, resilience, and perseverance – qualities that will serve them well both inside and outside the classroom.
The dedication of pupils, teachers, and school leaders to fostering a love of reading is truly inspiring. As a former governor and Chair of Governors of local schools, I know how much effort goes into nurturing children’s learning. As Executive Headteacher & Co-Headteacher of Mansel Park, Gerida Montague and Paul Lodge, so perfectly put it:
“Participating in the National Reading Champions Quiz was an incredible experience for our pupils. We are immensely proud of their hard work, enthusiasm, and the sportsmanship they displayed. This award reflects not only their dedication but also the strong values we promote at Mansel Park. Reading is a vital skill, and seeing our students engage with literature so passionately is truly rewarding. We are also grateful to the National Literacy Trust for organising such a fantastic event that inspires a love of reading among young learners.”
I couldn’t agree more. Reading is a gateway to opportunity – it expands minds, fuels creativity, and builds confidence. Seeing our young people take on challenges like this with such enthusiasm makes me incredibly proud. I will always champion opportunities that inspire children to dream big and achieve their full potential.
I’m also pleased that this Government implemented a range of measures to support reading for pleasure. The English Hubs programme supports the teaching of phonics, early language development and reading for pleasure, with a further £23 million committed for the 2024/25 academic year to support this work. Southampton Test’s nearest English Hub is Springhill English Hub. Further information on Springhill English Hub can be found here.
It’s also great that more widely Labour has invested £2.3bn in our education system, and is rolling out free breakfast clubs in all primary schools, to ensure that all children come to school ready to learn. All of these measures will make sure children of all backgrounds have the best possible start in life.
Congratulations once again to all the pupils, teachers, and schools who took part – Southampton is so proud of you!