J u n i o r P r e p S c h o o l B o o k A w a r d s
Reading is at the heart of life at Hurst, and our Junior Prep School Book Awards celebrate the power of books to bring young readers together, spark imagination and inspire a lifelong love of reading. Through our Hurst Junior Prep School Book Awards 2027, we are bringing this belief to life by working alongside local schools to inspire young readers, celebrate children’s literature and create shared experiences that nurture a lifelong love of books.
We were delighted to welcome Year 5 and Year 6 pupils from nine local schools to Hurst for the launch of this year’s awards, joining our own Year 5 and Year 6 pupils for a morning dedicated to the joy of reading.
The awards encourage pupils to discover new authors, explore different stories, exchange ideas and vote for their favourite title. By bringing children together through books, we hope to encourage their curiosity, build their confidence in sharing their opinions and show them just how rewarding reading can be.
We were thrilled to welcome pupils from St Wilfrid’s, Ditchling, Blackthorns, West Hoathly, Ashurst Wood, Bolnore, Holy Trinity, St Mary’s and St Peter’s. It was wonderful to see young readers from across our local community connecting over stories, sharing their enthusiasm and discovering new books together.
Working in partnership with local schools is a valued part of the awards, helping to create shared experiences that encourage discussion, collaboration and a love of reading among young people across our community.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back to Hurst in the New Year for the awards ceremony, where pupils will take part in workshops with the shortlisted authors and hear first-hand from the writers behind the books. These sessions will offer a valuable opportunity to spark imaginations, inspire young writers and deepen pupils’ connections with the stories they love.
We look forward to following the pupils’ reading journey over the coming months and celebrating the winning title together at the awards ceremony in the New Year.