The seventeen schools that form the Uttoxeter Schools Pyramid (USP) – One high School, three middle Schools and thirteen First schools -   have formed a unique partnership focusing on improving transition and outcome for all pupils in Uttoxeter from nursery through to 6th form. This years joint project is aimed at improving the enjoyment of reading  and literacy skills.

During the year we will be sharing authors. Storytellers and poets, liaising with the Public library service and Community Learning Partnership, involving the local community, Nurseries, Playgroup  Gateway Club,  parents and business.

Download Programme Here

Download Schedule Here

Telling Tales in Uttoxeter

Part of this celebration is a Storytelling Festival to tie in National Storytelling week ( Monday 1st – Saturday 6th February ). A number of well known  and renowned storytellers and authors will be visiting Uttoxeter at a variety of venues ranging from the Cinebowl ,The Pentecostal Church, Uttoxeter Library,  the Gateway Club in Balance street as well as the Thomas Alleyne’s High School,  Windsor Park, Ryecroft and Oldfields Middle Schools.   All students within the USP will have a storytelling experience during this week.

Peter Chand will be the first storyteller to venture upon the Cinebowl stage on Tuesday 2nd February, Nursery Children from Happy hours nursery will be joining with first schools to enjoy one of three performances to a total of 600 plus children.

Thursday 4th February will see well known author and Storyteller Damian Harvey delivering four storytelling sessions at St Mary’s first school to Nurseries and first schools across Uttoxeter.

Clive Hopwood will be at the Gateway Club, Balance Street on Tuesday 2nd February 7 – 9 p.m.  On Thursday 4th  February Clive will again be telling stories in  The Pentecostal Church , High Street  10 – 11 pm and 2 – 3 p.m for all Pre – School groups, Mother and Toddler groups, Pre – school children and Carers. This is a drop in session , no booking required.

Saviour Pirotta  will be on stage in the Theatre with all of year Nine  at Thomas Alleyne’s in the morning and at the Cinebowl with the Middle Schools in the afternoon.

The evening will see Saviour and Damian  hosting a Storytelling Café in the Theatre at Thomas Alleyne’s from 6.45 – 8.15.p.m.  The winners of a  Storywriting competition amongst the partnership schools will be announced during the evening. Tickets are available ( Adults £2.50 , Children £1 , £5 for a family ticket) from Middle Schools, TAHS and on the night. 

A bookshop will be available in the Ede Studio  next to the Theatre from 5.45 p.m – 6.45 and after the Café, all welcome. Local authors Susie Cresswell and Hannah Goodwin will be available to sign their books as well as  Dan Clacher and Steve Preedy the author and illustrator of the ‘Muddy Waters’ series of canal stories for younger children. Dan and Steve have been working with All Saints first School , Leigh and Ryecroft Middle School’s cluster of first schools.

Sally Tonge will be in Uttoxeter Library on Saturday 6th February with  drop in sessions for parents and families running at 9.30 – 10.15, 10.30 – 11.15, 11.30 – 12.15,  and 2 – 2.45 p.m

The year will culminate with a week long Celebration of reading from Monday 21st – Friday 25th June 2010. 

Schools will see a  ‘Reading Wave’ with  a variety of events at different venues across the Town, the local cinema, JCB theatre, Churches, and schools and a very public celebration on Thursday as the Market Square is closed to traffic for all shops, and offices to join students reading beneath the Samuel Johnson Statue.

Michael Rosen ( Children’s Laureate 2007/9) will be starting the reading wave on Thursday and then giving two performances at the Racecourse. A selection of fifteen popular children’s authors will be visiting all schools in the Uttoxeter Schools Pyramid.   Finals of the Uttoxeter Reading champion quiz will be on Friday 25th June. 

We believe this unique partnership will ensure the success of our joint initiative and   will promote reading for pleasure across the entire local community.