Maidenhead & Windsor

It will be '21 today' and 10th anniversary celebrations combined when primary pupils, teachers and families gather at the Maidenhead Thames Rotary Club Key Stage 2 Writing Competition celebration evening on Thursday February 8.

The competition – organised by the Maidenhead Royal Borough's senior adviser for English, Karen Butler, and sponsored by Maidenhead Thames Rotary Club and the Louis Baylis (Maidenhead Advertiser) Charitable Trust – recognises and rewards the creative efforts of year five and six pupils while supporting schools in their drive to raise standards of literacy.

This year's competition is the 10th to be held and, for the first time, all 21 of the Maidenhead primary schools, including Holyport Manor, have taken part.

The youngsters submitted entries based on one of three potential themes:

· There's more to life than football!
· a modern narrative of part of a Shakespeare play, and
· a description of their favourite place, real or imagined.

Some schools used these to develop activities involving a whole class, year or key stage group. The Shakespearean option proved particularly popular.

The entries were judged by representatives of Maidenhead Thames Rotary Club and Martin Trepte, editor of the Maidenhead Advertiser, and the winners advised of their success at the end of last term.

At the celebration evening, which will be held at Maidenhead Rugby Club, Braywick Road from 6.30pm to 9pm and will be attended by the Mayor, Cllr Margaret Cubley, awards will be presented to all participating schools, prizewinners will read their work aloud and winners will be presented with book tokens and cash prizes for their schools. The overall winner, whose name will be announced on the night, will receive a prize of £50 plus £250 for their school.

Cllr Cynthia Pitteway, lead member for Maidenhead education, said: "This competition provides schools with a wonderful opportunity to engage key stage 2 pupils in activities that enhance their literacy skills in a fun and constructive way.

"Royal Borough pupils consistently attain above-average results in national assessment tests and we are constantly striving to further improve academic achievement throughout our schools.

"Full credit must be given to Maidenhead Thames Rotary Club and the Louis Baylis Trust for their continued moral and financial support over the years and of course to the teachers and pupils who have put in so much creative effort."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead