It is hard to believe that we have now been a Little Wandle Champion School for four years. Working in partnership with Little Wandle to champion such a high-quality phonics and reading programme has been truly transformative for our small village school.

Since becoming a Champion School, we have welcomed colleagues from a wide range of schools to visit Lealholm and see Little Wandle in action. The success of our programme continues to grow year on year. In 2026, we are delighted to be hosting our events at Ley Hall for the first time. With increasing pupil numbers in Key Stage 1 and record demand from visiting schools, we have outgrown our small school site. Both our October and November 2026 events are fully booked with 20 delegates attending each session.

We are incredibly proud that schools from across the region, and beyond, have chosen to visit us. Every delegate takes new ideas, practice and inspiration back to their own setting, meaning the impact of our Champion School work extends far beyond Lealholm and reaches children in many different communities and schools.

Our pupils continue to be the stars of every event. They are accustomed to sharing their learning with visitors and do so with confidence, enthusiasm and pride. Visitors consistently comment on the children's excellent learning behaviours, engagement and progress in reading. The income generated through our Champion School events has been reinvested directly into developing a love of reading, including author visits and opportunities for children to expand their reading experiences.

Reading remains at the heart of everything we do at Lealholm. We recognise that it is the key that unlocks the wider curriculum and opens doors to future opportunities. Our pupils' success reflects this commitment, with strong outcomes in phonics and reading alongside a lifelong enthusiasm for books.

We would like to thank all the schools that have visited us over the past four years and, most importantly, congratulate the children of Lealholm. Their confidence, dedication and love of reading continue to make them our very own champions.