www.londonnewsonline.co.uk FRIDAY JUNE 7 2019 southlondonpress & Mercury 35 Lambeth Phoneix education Book Awards by Toby

chool pupils put children’s authors committed to promoting literacy and alove of Porter on the spot at aborough’s book reading for all children, when Isee so many awards. Readers from astring of pupils from the local community having a schools becamecritics for aday at the great time together being inspired by books SLambeth Phoenix Book Awards. and reading, it makes the hard work of Streatham &Clapham High School organising and hosting this event apleasure.” (SCHS) hosted the awardslast month, bring- The Mayor of Lambeth, ing together pupilsfrom 10 Ibrahim Dogus, gave the Lambeth schools with keynote address, and said: “I the opportunity to quiz, hope that in 20 years’ time, I review and vote for can say that Iwas in aroom their favourite authors. with the latest award-winning The Phoenix Awards author who was inspired by promote children to the Phoenix 2019.” driving seat as they The Phoenix Book Awards short-list from abreadth help keep of genres before crown- Lambeth pupils Students celebrate ing the winning author. reading during as the winner is Being the judges transition announced themselves unlocks years when opportunities for pupils to they may stop. experience the world of All Lambeth reading,inspiring the next children generation of writers. Nurah from from Year 5 The children shortlisted Dunraven to 8, are in- four impressive contenders School vited. across genres from sci-fi to In a real-life. They were series of ● Do you Speak Chocolate? stagesover by Cas Lester; the year, ● The Loneliest Girl in the students Universe by Lauren James; select a ● The Colour of the Sun by shortlist of David Almond; four Authors Lauren favourite James and Cas ● Scythe by Neal Shuster- Lambeth librarians man, with Scyrhe the books and Lester 2019 winner then vote for the winner. Nurah, 12, from Dun- This year children raven School in participated from: Streatham, said: Evelyn Grace , “Phoenix is arare Bishop Thomas Grant, opportunity for the Dunraven, The Elmgreen authors and School, La Retraite, Lilian the students to Reuben from Baylis Technology School, give and receive Platanos College , new knowledge Platanos College, Streatham that can widen &Clapham their imaginations Prep School and Streatham &Clapham and inspire.” High School. Reuben, 13, from Platanos College in , said: “The Phoenix Awards help Mayor of Lambeth, children understand Ibrahim Dogus the reasons why au- thorswrite. After participating last year too, I’ve now started to write my own book.” Helena, 12, from Lilian Baylis Technology School in Kennington, said: “Cas Lester’s character with dyslexia makes it okay to be different.” Christine Belsham, SCHS librarian, said: “Phoenix is one of our many community partnership programmes. As alibrarian Failingschool haslearntits lesson

Kings AvenuePrimary School, ing,leadership and behaviour the previous inspection. As a arecently failing school is on and all their hard work has result, pupils’ progress and the up. paid off. attainment have risen across Arecent Ofsted monitoring The Her Majesty's Inspec- the school, particularly for dis- visit said: “The newly torate of Education inspector advantaged pupils. appointed headteacher Miss said: “Teachers are positive “The headteacher is very Rachel Mollett has made role models. The school is a grateful for the support the improving the quality of calm and orderly place. Pupils whole school community has teaching, learning and who Ispoke to during the in- shown her. Parents, staff and assessment her main priority. spection told me that behav- children have engaged fully “There has been arenewed iour has improved with all the changes she has focus on staff’s professional considerably compared to last introduced and she is looking development, including year. During the inspection, forward to working with them through team teaching and teachers demonstrated typi- next year to further improve personalised support cally high expectations of the school. for teachers. Thisismaking a pupils’ behaviour and atti- “Parents and carers speak substantial difference tudes. As aresult, pupils work positively about the changes to the quality of teaching and diligently and movement since the arrival of the new staff morale. across the school is smooth.” headteacher and deputy. They “The school in Clapham He also observed: “The value leaders’ open door policy have worked very hard to quality of teaching has and staff’s positiveinteractions improve teaching and learn- improved considerably since with them.”