By Schoolreaders One in four children leave primary school unable to read to the expected standard. This is a crossroads with far-reaching consequences. Without solid reading foundations, these children enter secondary education already behind, struggling to access the curriculum, losing confidence, and facing diminished life chances before they have had a chance to spread their wings. Literacy unlocks every other subject, and without it, too many young people are being locke

Have fun, learn and make every day an adventure! The theme for this year's Playday is ‘Playing on a shoestring – making every day an adventure’. Celebrated annually on the first Wednesday in August, Playday 2026 takes place on Wednesday 5th August, highlighting the importance of play in children's lives. The theme focuses on the everyday, low-cost play adventures children can enjoy at home, in settings, and in our communities. Expensive toys or far-off trips are unnecessary,

Encourage young minds to grow this Children’s Gardening Week! May is the perfect month to dig in the dirt, as it marks Children’s Gardening Week from 23rd to 31st May, a time to connect young hands and curious minds with the magic of growing food and flowers. This annual celebration encourages families and schools to swap screen time for soil time, planting the seeds of a lifelong love for nature. When teaching children about plants, start with the basics: a seed is like a ti

February quirkily celebrates the humble umbrella and its portable dryness! Every year on the 10th of February, National Umbrella Day offers a chance to appreciate that most British of companions: the trusty brolly. Far more than a practical tool for navigating our famously damp weather, the umbrella is a design icon with a surprisingly long history. Its story begins not in the UK, but in ancient civilisations. Early versions were used in Egypt, Assyria, and China over 4,000 y

24th February to 1st March 2026 marks Eating Disorders Awareness Week Have you heard of Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW)? This month we see this vital campaign dedicated to dismantling stigma, disseminating life-saving information, and illuminating the path to recovery for the 1.25 million individuals nationwide affected by these severe mental illnesses. EDAW 2026 not only aims to deepen public comprehension of clinical diagnoses but also to cast a critical spotlight o

Your Antidote to New Year's Resolution Burnout As January dawns, our social feeds flood with a familiar, punishing mantra: New Year, New You. This "new you" is almost invariably thinner, stronger, and fuelled by restrictive diets and grueling gym sessions. But what if the most rewarding transformation this year isn't physical, but mental and creative? Instead of vowing to punish your body in a packed gym, consider a more joyful and sustainable path to self-improvement: creati

Samuel Parkes Born in Tamworth in 1815, Parkes was a private in the 4th Light Dragoons. He was the first private soldier to receive the Victoria Cross in 1857 for his bravery during the Charge of the Light Brigade, where he saved the life of a trumpeter by fighting off six Cossacks. He was later taken prisoner when his sword was shot from his hand. Samuel was born in Tamworth and he worked as a labourer before joining the 4th Queens Own Light Dragoons in 1831, aged just

Tamworth is poised to reconnect with a pivotal and powerful chapter of its industrial past. Thanks to a successful grant application from...