Brookfield Primary Academy, part of LEO Academy Trust, has received a donation of £1,000 worth of books from the local football club, Sutton United Foundation and Little Box of Books.

Sutton United Foundation has developed a new partnership with Little Box of Books, a children’s book publisher who specialises in representative, inclusive and diverse children’s stories, aimed at getting more inclusive books into local primary schools. 

Pupils at Brookfield Primary Academy are delighted to receive the books and are looking forward to diversifying and expanding their library. The impact of having access to inclusive and representative books in schools will help young children to accept, understand and celebrate diversity.

There is a significant gap in the market for diversity in children’s books, with only 4 per cent of books published in 2018 having a black, Asian or minority ethnic main character. As a result, children from ethnic minority backgrounds are underrepresented in the very books they are learning to read with, which is not reflective of the world we live in. 

This also applies to children with disabilities or different family set ups who often never get the chance to see themselves represented in print or media. 

Brookfield Primary Academy is committed to providing pupils with an inclusive library that uplifts their view of themselves and the world that they belong to. This also helps all children to better understand their place in the world and learn important lessons on equality, diversity and understanding difference. 

Pupils at the school are very excited to practice and develop their reading skills, while also learning about inclusion and what it means to belong. School leaders expect the book donation will have a wonderful effect on pupil attitudes and excitement towards learning as many will get to see themselves represented for what may be the first time. 

Ms P Wright, Principal at Brookfield Primary Academy, said: 

“I am so thrilled and grateful for this generous book donation. The children are incredibly happy to be receiving new books and many are excited to finally see themselves on the pages. Our school vision is deeply centred around opportunities for all and high expectations, which is why these inclusive books will have such a positive impact on the pupils and their learning. 

“The donation of these books will support our wider vision to prepare pupils as fully-rounded global citizens, who have a strong sense of identity, respect, and value the importance of inclusion and equality.

“Many thanks to Sutton United Foundation and Little Box of Books for their charitable partnership that has given us this donation, we cannot wait to start reading them!”

For more information on Brookfield Primary Academy, please visit: www.brookfieldprimary.com

For more information on Little Box of Books please visit: littleboxofbooks.co.uk