On Tuesday 5th May, the Trust welcomed 90 Year 5 pupils from partner schools to Vicarage Road for a memorable Premier League Primary Stars Club Author Day as part of the National Year of Reading initiative. Pupils from Coates Way, Watford St John’s, and Willow Tree enjoyed a full day of literacy, creativity and football-themed learning activities designed to inspire a love of reading through sport.
Special guests joined the celebrations, helping to make the event even more memorable for pupils. Attendees included Matt Turmaine, Labour MP for Watford, Ash Dyer from the Premier League Foundation, Holly Gunn from the National Literacy Trust, visiting author Seth Burkett, Anna Filbey from Watford FC Women, and Watford FC’s much-loved mascot Harry the Hornet. Their support and involvement throughout the workshops, competitions and prize giveaways added to the excitement and inspiration of the day for all in attendance.
Guest author Seth Burkett led an engaging and interactive workshop, encouraging pupils to debate who deserves the title of football’s ultimate GOAT. The session sparked thoughtful discussion and enthusiasm among the young attendees, with every pupil receiving a copy of one of Seth’s books, courtesy of the Premier League Foundation and the National Literacy Trust.
Throughout the day, pupils also took part in a literacy-themed Premier League Primary Stars workshop delivered by the Trust. Teams created their own “7-a-side story team” by identifying famous children’s books from football-themed blurbs. Coaches provided helpful clues in exchange for physical activity challenges, adding energy and excitement to the competition as teams battled it out to climb the Reading Stars League table.
Angela Hadwin from Watford Library joined the event to promote the fantastic opportunities available through local libraries and encourage pupils to continue their reading journey beyond the classroom. Following the event, visiting schools have been challenged to compete for the highest number of library visits and new sign-ups during May, with the winning school earning a special football session delivered by Trust coaches.
At half-time, creativity took centre stage as pupils designed their own Premier League Primary Stars bookmarks and shared their favourite reads for a chance to win matchday tickets. Winners were selected by special guests following an interactive readers’ quiz featuring Seth Burkett, Holly Gunn, Anna Filbey and Harry the Hornet.
No visit to Vicarage Road would be complete without a stadium tour, and pupils were thrilled to walk in the footsteps of their Watford heroes and experience the on-pitch atmosphere for themselves. To round off the day, pupils collaborated to create a “Club Author Pupil Voice” comic filled with feedback, reflections and ideas for future events.
School Sports Officer for the Trust, Nicola Burton, said:
“Our Premier League Primary Stars Club Author Day at Vicarage Road was a fantastic opportunity to use the power of the Watford badge to inspire young people’s love of reading. Through engaging literacy activities delivered by Trust staff and visiting author Seth Burkett, we saw pupils’ confidence, enthusiasm and enjoyment grow throughout the day.
By working closely with our partner schools, we hope to continue supporting improved attitudes towards reading and stronger English outcomes for children across our community.”
Holly Gunn from the National Literacy Trust added:
“Research and decades of experience show that meeting authors can play a powerful role in inspiring a love of reading among children and young people. This, in turn, improves their chances of success in school and helps them develop the essential literacy skills needed to thrive.
Working in partnership with Premier League Primary Stars, we were delighted to bring author Seth Burkett and free books to local schools in Watford, using the shared passion of football as a gateway to inspire children to discover reading for enjoyment. Events such as this demonstrate the real impact of these experiences.
The day opened new worlds for children, sparking curiosity and enthusiasm as they learned about Seth’s journey to becoming an author – beginning with his own love of football. Pupils particularly enjoyed the football-themed literacy activities, which showcased how we can use children and young people’s passion for football to engage them with literacy and reading.
The impact was clear throughout the day; participants were enthusiastic, fully engaged and visibly inspired from start to finish. There was a strong sense of enjoyment across all activities, with reading woven seamlessly into every element of the experience.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone involved for delivering a brilliantly organised and highly engaging event that successfully combined sport and literacy to ignite a passion for reading.”
Watford MP Matt Turmaine said:
“There is so much going on for the community at the football club. It was great to see the children getting so much out of the Author Day and congratulations to everyone who helped put it on.
Reading is so vital, it literally is the basis of education and learning at school and into adult life. It was clear the event captured the children’s interest, curiosity and imagination in innovative ways and Seth was very passionate about encouraging reluctant readers.”
The event proved to be an inspiring and engaging experience for all involved. The Premier League Primary Stars Author Day highlighted the power of football to inspire reading, creativity and confidence, leaving lasting memories for all pupils and staff that joined us.