A WEE COUNTY primary school has earned two silver awards for various projects carried out by pupils and staff.

Deerpark PS picked up the Scottish Book Trust’s Reading Schools silver award, showing that they have successfully implemented and maintained a reading culture throughout the school.

To do this, pupils in P6 have become reading buddies with P2 pupils, while reading ambassadors have come into the school and talk about books.

Special book nook areas were also developed around the school, with Reading Cafes held for both parents and pupils.

Deerpark PS were also successful in applying for an author’s residency with the Book Trust.

Mrs Rice, headteacher at Deerpark PS, said: “I am delighted that the school has been recognised for the hard work of the pupils and staff in building a reading culture within the school.

“We look forward to working towards our Gold Award.”

On top of this, Deerpark earned a silver award from NHS Forth Valley’s Speech and Language Therapy department for having an outstanding visual environment in school.

Lower classes of the school had their classrooms redecorated with symbols and pictures to help children learn.

Consistency was a focus throughout the school, with each classroom having symbols that were age-appropriate for children to use.

Symbols are used at Deerpark to support learning and the teaching of listening skills – including adopting Makaton as a communication tool, which helps children with disabilities.

Deerpark PS were delighted to receive the silver awards and are going for gold in both areas.