A PRIMARY school pupil from Chester has been recognised for her exceptional reading progress and attitude with a national award.

Lacie Toward, a Year 5 pupil from Dee Point Primary School in Blacon is celebrating Reading Plus Champion status from Reading Solutions UK, home of an online reading development programme, Reading Plus.

Teachers nationwide nominated hundreds of pupils for the role of Reading Plus Champion, and Lacie was one of only 11 pupils chosen.

Jessica Gurney, the teacher who nominated Lacie, said: "Lacie has a deep love of reading. She is an extremely humble young mind; however, succeeding in Reading Plus is bringing out her confidence. Hearing her name at the top of our Reading Plus leader boards has brought a boosted sense of self-belief."

As a Reading Plus Champion, Lacie will complete reading tasks such as interviewing a children's author and writing blogs and book reviews for Reading Solutions UK's website.

Jessica continued: "She has only used Reading Plus for 3 weeks and has already read over 37,000 words. Furthermore, her vocabulary is beginning to expand, and this is shown through her writing."

Lacie received a Reading Plus Champion kit with prizes, including a book voucher, certificate, and badge to celebrate her achievement. The kit also includes stationery materials to help her complete her tasks and a new, age-appropriate book.

Jessica finishes: "She enjoys going on Reading Plus at home in her spare time as extra homework. She enjoys the wide variety of different texts Reading Plus has to offer."

Clair Freeman, Reading Development Consultant at Reading Solutions UK, said: "Congratulations to Lacie on your new role – keep up the great work and continue inspiring your classmates. We can't wait to see what you achieve as a Reading Plus Champion.

"It is fantastic to see the positive impact Reading Plus has had on the reading culture at Dee Point Primary School."