Ipswich pupils star in film celebrating reading
Students from Stoke High School and Hillside Primary School got their movie moment at a mini film premiere after collaborating with a professional filmmaker to create a short film championing the National Year of Reading.
Why it matters: The film, produced in collaboration with Suffolk Community Libraries, captures real student voices and shines a light on Stoke High's Peer Readers programme, which pairs younger and older pupils for regular reading sessions in the library.
The details: The students worked with filmmaker Andy Delaney of New Art Films, getting a rare behind-the-scenes look at what goes into producing a professional film. To mark its release, library and school staff hosted a premiere at Stoke Library where pupils, parents and teachers gathered to watch the finished product, with the students even getting to walk a red carpet on arrival.
What they're saying: Delaney said: "Being able to capture these young people's genuine enthusiasm for reading was inspiring, and I hope it gently reminds people of the deep value and joy that reading provides."
Karen Baldwin, principal at Stoke High School, said: "This has been an incredible experience for our students. They have not just taken part in a film – they have shared their voices, stories and passion for reading. Our Peer Readers programme is transforming attitudes to reading, and it is brilliant to see that recognised in such a creative and meaningful way."
For context: The National Year of Reading is a campaign led by the National Literacy Trust to encourage more people to read in 2026. Research shows that whether or not a child reads for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of their future success – more so than family circumstances, their parents' educational background, or income.
The bottom line: The film is a reminder of what is possible when schools, libraries and young people come together, and in Ipswich, a love of books is something worth rolling out the red carpet for.
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