Community literacy project: The Phantom Tollbooth

For many years, Archer Academy and partner primary schools have worked collaboratively on a Community Literacy Project to support the transition from year 6 to year 7.  It has become a firm tradition across the schools and enables a shared and common experience for all students as they start year 7, whichever primary school they are joining from.

The project focuses on Norton Juster’s famous novel, The Phantom Tollbooth. It focuses on a bored child who is whisked off on a series of journeys to different lands; ideal themes for children about to start an exciting journey of their own to secondary school. The novel is one of the top 50 books all children should have read by the time they leave primary school, as suggested by authors and compiled by The Independent. The book was nominated by Philip Pullman, and its beautiful language and tales of adventure have truly captured the imaginations of children across the community.

We asked some famous faces, as well as Archer teachers, to get involved and each read a chapter of the story, Jackanory style, to the year 6 students involved. We are delighted that actors: Steve Pemberton, Reece Shearsmith, Nicola Stephenson, Katherine Parkinson and Ralf Little, as well as self-care guru, Katia Narain Phillips all agreed to take part.

Students and teachers involved in the project should click on the introduction and then each chapter and the video will start playing.

Let’s get started on Milo’s adventures. Please click here for the resource guide.