'Where’s Wally' at Runcton Holme Holy Cross Primary School's World Book Day event

Pupils at the newly opened Holy Cross Church of England Primary School immersed themselves in the world of story books on Thursday.

As the nation celebrated World Book Day, Holy Cross in Runcton Holme school children filed excitedly into class dressed as some of their favourite book characters and ready to enjoy a day of stories and writing.

And it wasn’t just the children who got into the spirit of the day. All staff dressed up, with English lead Jessica Moore donning a Where’s Wally costume to celebrate the popular book series and class teacher Rachael Waterson in costume too.

The school, which is part of the Diocese of Ely Multi-Academy Trust, kicked off a celebration of literature and the power of stories by using the national day to officially open its new library and give the children the chance to explore and share the pages of some of their favourite books.

The young students were asked to choose a story for school teaching assistant Rachel Witt to read to them in the library before they were encouraged to put pen to paper and come up with their own tales.

The budding authors even spent time learning how to be cartographers, and draw maps which helped lead them into their story planning later in the day.

As part of the celebrations, the children were also given the opportunity to be part of the Read 100 initiative to encourage them to read as widely as possible.

Headteacher Emma Zeil said: “We have launched our new initiative, Read 100. The children have personalised cards to collect 100 stamps in for reading at home, encouraging our children to read for pleasure.

“When they have collected 100 stamps, they get to choose a new book to keep from the box of books in my office.”

Staff and pupils are looking forward to an official opening of the school soon, after Holy Cross was formed in September following a merger between Wormegay CofE and Runcton Holme CofE schools.