Schools across the Unity Schools Partnership have been showcasing their love of reading by organising a World Book Day thunderclap.

The ‘Drop Everything and Read’ was initially started at Castle Manor Academy in Haverhill where students, regardless of the lesson they were in, picked up a book or reading device every time they heard the bell sound during the school day.

Castle Manor have now joined forces with fellow secondary schools across the Unity Schools Partnership – Samuel Ward Academy, in Haverhill, Sybil Andrews Academy in Bury St Edmunds and Newmarket Academy – to take part in the literary action at the same time.

Becca Neal, librarian at Castle Manor Academy, said: “Every school in the trust values the importance of reading for pleasure, so it seemed obvious to me to all join together to celebrate that on World Book Day.

“Drop Everything and Read is such a simple idea that allows the whole school community to pause and enjoy the feeling of getting stuck into a good book.”

Students from each school will also be working together to form a “Books to Read Before You Leave School” list that can be used across the Trust.

Elsewhere, schools across the trust promoted a love of literacy and invited pupils to dress as their favourite book characters.