Media release: Thumbs up for Hands Up!

More than fifty local primary schools have received free books thanks to Cambridgeshire schools worker Steve Whyatt.

Steve, who works for Scripture Union and lives in Cottenham, has been giving Hands Up books to schools all year after generous donations from Scripture Union supporters and the Deo Gloria schools trust enabled the books to be given to the schools for free.

Hands Up books are for use by teachers and assistants when reading with primary-school children in Key Stage 2 Literacy, RE and Citizenship studies. Each giant-sized book tells a story about Jesus from the gospels and is sensitively written to present Jesus in a manner that is understandable to those from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds.

Scripture Union started the project after recognising that cuts to education budgets had resulted in a lack of funds for schools to purchase resources. One school that benefi ted from the project was Cottenham Primary School. Head Teacher Jan Wright said: ‘The books have enhanced our RE resources and have already been used extensively across the school. They are great to use in assembly!’

Steve says that the schools have been very grateful to receive the books. ‘The schools were really grateful for the books as they provide a valuable resource for use in RE and collective worship as well as the school library. At one school, the Head was really pleased because he said that had sorted his assembly for the next day!’

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Notes to Newsdesk:

For more information, to arrange an interview with Steve Whyatt, or request a list of schools that have received a Hands Up book, please contact Richard Wells on 01908 856153 (mobile 07905 223980) or email richardw@scriptureunion.org.uk

Scripture Union is an international mission movement working with churches and individuals in more than 140 countries through schools work, holidays and missions, published materials and community projects.