Mrs Burton-Gardner
@mrsb-g.bsky.social
Primary Assistant Head & English enthusiast, honoured to be highly commended in 23-24 OU/UKLA RFP awards, SSPC for Bucks - looking for inspiration & connection!
Honoured to be part of this panel and I have loved reviewing all of the submissions. So many great ideas and exciting texts for the children!
Meet our Non-Fiction Panel, who are currently reading and selecting a longlist under the expert guidance of panel chair Nikki Gamble…
November 18, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Honoured to be part of this panel and I have loved reviewing all of the submissions. So many great ideas and exciting texts for the children!
Reposted by Mrs Burton-Gardner
Exciting news for schools! The Spark! Book Award is already great value for only £65 per category, BUT sign up by 28 November and you'll receive TWO sets of the shortlisted books instead of one! Don't miss out...sign up on our website now:
www.sparkbookawards.co.uk/schools/school-sign-up
www.sparkbookawards.co.uk/schools/school-sign-up
November 3, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Exciting news for schools! The Spark! Book Award is already great value for only £65 per category, BUT sign up by 28 November and you'll receive TWO sets of the shortlisted books instead of one! Don't miss out...sign up on our website now:
www.sparkbookawards.co.uk/schools/school-sign-up
www.sparkbookawards.co.uk/schools/school-sign-up
Reposted by Mrs Burton-Gardner
Two reads in two days and what a two I picked! I couldn’t put Glasgow Boys down-so powerful! And today another Katya Balen. I love that her more accessible books are still beautifully written and thought provoking. Two good recommendations for two very different age groups! @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
October 27, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Two reads in two days and what a two I picked! I couldn’t put Glasgow Boys down-so powerful! And today another Katya Balen. I love that her more accessible books are still beautifully written and thought provoking. Two good recommendations for two very different age groups! @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
Two reads in two days and what a two I picked! I couldn’t put Glasgow Boys down-so powerful! And today another Katya Balen. I love that her more accessible books are still beautifully written and thought provoking. Two good recommendations for two very different age groups! @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
October 27, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Two reads in two days and what a two I picked! I couldn’t put Glasgow Boys down-so powerful! And today another Katya Balen. I love that her more accessible books are still beautifully written and thought provoking. Two good recommendations for two very different age groups! @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
Reposted by Mrs Burton-Gardner
Y6 are SPIES this term- after successful application letters, they’ve completed mission 1-investigate a super soldier-friend or foe? All agents gave their best& loved selecting or inventing their hero. Purpose through immersion &role play can work! @writingrocks.bsky.social @piecorbett.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Y6 are SPIES this term- after successful application letters, they’ve completed mission 1-investigate a super soldier-friend or foe? All agents gave their best& loved selecting or inventing their hero. Purpose through immersion &role play can work! @writingrocks.bsky.social @piecorbett.bsky.social
Y6 are SPIES this term- after successful application letters, they’ve completed mission 1-investigate a super soldier-friend or foe? All agents gave their best& loved selecting or inventing their hero. Purpose through immersion &role play can work! @writingrocks.bsky.social @piecorbett.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Y6 are SPIES this term- after successful application letters, they’ve completed mission 1-investigate a super soldier-friend or foe? All agents gave their best& loved selecting or inventing their hero. Purpose through immersion &role play can work! @writingrocks.bsky.social @piecorbett.bsky.social
Escaped the chaos to hunker down in Costa &continue with this gem. I just love it so far. I’ve said it before and I’ve got to say it again- there is just something about the way Katya Balen writes that is magic for me. @openuni-rfp.bsky.social @readingrocks.bsky.social @schoolreadinglist.bsky.social
October 11, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Escaped the chaos to hunker down in Costa &continue with this gem. I just love it so far. I’ve said it before and I’ve got to say it again- there is just something about the way Katya Balen writes that is magic for me. @openuni-rfp.bsky.social @readingrocks.bsky.social @schoolreadinglist.bsky.social
Just finished this lovely book this afternoon - The Boy in the Suit by James Fox. I really loved it. Reminded me of The Wrong Shoes and Katya Balen a little. A relatable, ‘real’ story that makes you think. What next?! @jonbiddle.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
September 27, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Just finished this lovely book this afternoon - The Boy in the Suit by James Fox. I really loved it. Reminded me of The Wrong Shoes and Katya Balen a little. A relatable, ‘real’ story that makes you think. What next?! @jonbiddle.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
Visited York Castle museum today - we loved it! I particularly liked the fact that at several points there were lots of fabulous books to relate to that section. Lovely idea! Great place to
Visit @openuni-rfp.bsky.social #readingforpleasure @booksfortopics.bsky.social
Visit @openuni-rfp.bsky.social #readingforpleasure @booksfortopics.bsky.social
August 9, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Visited York Castle museum today - we loved it! I particularly liked the fact that at several points there were lots of fabulous books to relate to that section. Lovely idea! Great place to
Visit @openuni-rfp.bsky.social #readingforpleasure @booksfortopics.bsky.social
Visit @openuni-rfp.bsky.social #readingforpleasure @booksfortopics.bsky.social
Reposted by Mrs Burton-Gardner
One of my boys read your book in 24 hours - not a voracious reader but adored your book! He’s onto my signed copy of the First year now. He’s produced this scrapbook page in response. Hope you like it! @mattgoodfellow.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
July 18, 2025 at 1:24 PM
One of my boys read your book in 24 hours - not a voracious reader but adored your book! He’s onto my signed copy of the First year now. He’s produced this scrapbook page in response. Hope you like it! @mattgoodfellow.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
One of my boys read your book in 24 hours - not a voracious reader but adored your book! He’s onto my signed copy of the First year now. He’s produced this scrapbook page in response. Hope you like it! @mattgoodfellow.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
July 18, 2025 at 1:24 PM
One of my boys read your book in 24 hours - not a voracious reader but adored your book! He’s onto my signed copy of the First year now. He’s produced this scrapbook page in response. Hope you like it! @mattgoodfellow.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
One of my boys in y5 loved Looshkin and has spent many hours completing this book review for our reading scrapbook! I thought you Might like it @jamiesmart.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
July 10, 2025 at 8:20 AM
One of my boys in y5 loved Looshkin and has spent many hours completing this book review for our reading scrapbook! I thought you Might like it @jamiesmart.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
When your 11yr old goes to their first opera and loves it - and is asked to make notes! Love these so much… 🤣 @garsingtonopera.bsky.social @writingrocks.bsky.social #WritingforPleasure for reference - our yr 6 play is Matilda.
July 9, 2025 at 8:31 PM
When your 11yr old goes to their first opera and loves it - and is asked to make notes! Love these so much… 🤣 @garsingtonopera.bsky.social @writingrocks.bsky.social #WritingforPleasure for reference - our yr 6 play is Matilda.
Reposted by Mrs Burton-Gardner
A snapshot-2025, 2021 and 2018 from yr 5,4&6 respectively. Interesting to see which books appear in each &how their choices changed! can see how our Reading For Pleasure work has expanded range&genre. Always sparks a great session of book talk too! @jonbiddle.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
June 5, 2025 at 6:54 PM
A snapshot-2025, 2021 and 2018 from yr 5,4&6 respectively. Interesting to see which books appear in each &how their choices changed! can see how our Reading For Pleasure work has expanded range&genre. Always sparks a great session of book talk too! @jonbiddle.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
Reposted by Mrs Burton-Gardner
It’s all about HTTYD by @cressidacowell.bsky.social -Y5 applied to be dragon trainers today - will they be accepted?! Next up - training guide creation! Can’t wait for Cressida to visit later in June. What an author visit to finish the year! @writingrocks.bsky.social @piecorbett.bsky.social
June 6, 2025 at 5:48 PM
It’s all about HTTYD by @cressidacowell.bsky.social -Y5 applied to be dragon trainers today - will they be accepted?! Next up - training guide creation! Can’t wait for Cressida to visit later in June. What an author visit to finish the year! @writingrocks.bsky.social @piecorbett.bsky.social
It’s all about HTTYD by @cressidacowell.bsky.social -Y5 applied to be dragon trainers today - will they be accepted?! Next up - training guide creation! Can’t wait for Cressida to visit later in June. What an author visit to finish the year! @writingrocks.bsky.social @piecorbett.bsky.social
June 6, 2025 at 5:48 PM
It’s all about HTTYD by @cressidacowell.bsky.social -Y5 applied to be dragon trainers today - will they be accepted?! Next up - training guide creation! Can’t wait for Cressida to visit later in June. What an author visit to finish the year! @writingrocks.bsky.social @piecorbett.bsky.social
A snapshot-2025, 2021 and 2018 from yr 5,4&6 respectively. Interesting to see which books appear in each &how their choices changed! can see how our Reading For Pleasure work has expanded range&genre. Always sparks a great session of book talk too! @jonbiddle.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
June 5, 2025 at 6:54 PM
A snapshot-2025, 2021 and 2018 from yr 5,4&6 respectively. Interesting to see which books appear in each &how their choices changed! can see how our Reading For Pleasure work has expanded range&genre. Always sparks a great session of book talk too! @jonbiddle.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
Will loves the Dungeon Runners series &created a double page review of books 1&2 for our reading scrapbook! I promised I’d show @kieranlarwood.bsky.social .They are working their way round our class quickly. Highly recommended by William! @sparkbookaward.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
June 4, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Will loves the Dungeon Runners series &created a double page review of books 1&2 for our reading scrapbook! I promised I’d show @kieranlarwood.bsky.social .They are working their way round our class quickly. Highly recommended by William! @sparkbookaward.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
Reposted by Mrs Burton-Gardner
The success of Escape Room owes so much to teachers, school librarians, reviewers and readers sharing their love of the story, so if you know someone who enjoyed Escape Room, please let them know that Escape Room: Game Zero is coming soon! One month to go! linktr.ee/edgechristop...
May 5, 2025 at 7:19 PM
The success of Escape Room owes so much to teachers, school librarians, reviewers and readers sharing their love of the story, so if you know someone who enjoyed Escape Room, please let them know that Escape Room: Game Zero is coming soon! One month to go! linktr.ee/edgechristop...
A real treat today with @andygbooks.bsky.social visiting us. Almost all of the kids have read at least one of his books and he did not disappoint! They loved every moment. Funny, engaging and a real celebration of silly! Thank you so much for stopping by Andy! @openuni-rfp.bsky.social #UkKidsLit
April 25, 2025 at 5:30 PM
A real treat today with @andygbooks.bsky.social visiting us. Almost all of the kids have read at least one of his books and he did not disappoint! They loved every moment. Funny, engaging and a real celebration of silly! Thank you so much for stopping by Andy! @openuni-rfp.bsky.social #UkKidsLit
Reposted by Mrs Burton-Gardner
Today we launched the Spark shortlists to the wider school-children who had pre read them gave reviews in assembly and the buzz is growing! Here are some of their thoughts so far: @sparkbookaward.bsky.social @coralrumble.bsky.social @tompalmerauthor.bsky.social @kieranlarwood.bsky.social
April 1, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Today we launched the Spark shortlists to the wider school-children who had pre read them gave reviews in assembly and the buzz is growing! Here are some of their thoughts so far: @sparkbookaward.bsky.social @coralrumble.bsky.social @tompalmerauthor.bsky.social @kieranlarwood.bsky.social
Reposted by Mrs Burton-Gardner
My last few months of listening is a myriad great children’s literature. I love the narration - imagining the voices and losing time - makes the km of running go faster that’s for sure! What your fave? What else must I add to my list?! @openuni-rfp.bsky.social #ReadingForPleasure #EduSky
April 8, 2025 at 9:11 PM
My last few months of listening is a myriad great children’s literature. I love the narration - imagining the voices and losing time - makes the km of running go faster that’s for sure! What your fave? What else must I add to my list?! @openuni-rfp.bsky.social #ReadingForPleasure #EduSky
Reposted by Mrs Burton-Gardner
The Wrong Shoes, written and illustrated by Tom Percival, was one of my favourite books of last year. It explored several important themes and was a great read. I created some free resources based on it for @teachprimarymag.bsky.social, which can be found here: www.teachwire.net/teaching-res...
April 14, 2025 at 4:16 PM
The Wrong Shoes, written and illustrated by Tom Percival, was one of my favourite books of last year. It explored several important themes and was a great read. I created some free resources based on it for @teachprimarymag.bsky.social, which can be found here: www.teachwire.net/teaching-res...
Reposted by Mrs Burton-Gardner
My day just got better!
Wandered into the bookshop and found this gem waiting - obviously had to get it there and then! Perfect for my train journey. Quarter of the way in and love it just as much as Final Year.Can’t wait to share with the kids! #EduSky #UKKidsLit #ReadingForPleasure
Wandered into the bookshop and found this gem waiting - obviously had to get it there and then! Perfect for my train journey. Quarter of the way in and love it just as much as Final Year.Can’t wait to share with the kids! #EduSky #UKKidsLit #ReadingForPleasure
April 5, 2025 at 10:24 AM
My day just got better!
Wandered into the bookshop and found this gem waiting - obviously had to get it there and then! Perfect for my train journey. Quarter of the way in and love it just as much as Final Year.Can’t wait to share with the kids! #EduSky #UKKidsLit #ReadingForPleasure
Wandered into the bookshop and found this gem waiting - obviously had to get it there and then! Perfect for my train journey. Quarter of the way in and love it just as much as Final Year.Can’t wait to share with the kids! #EduSky #UKKidsLit #ReadingForPleasure