Former Langham Primary School head donates sales of book Ready To Learn to Leicester charity Home-Start Horizons

A retired headteacher is donating the sales of her book to help a charity which supports parents and children.

Maggie Wilson’s book, ‘Ready for School - Parents and Teachers in Partnership’, was published in 1988 during a 16-year stint as headteacher of Langham CE Primary School.

After revising and updating the book, Maggie had it reprinted before Christmas and is now available to buy for £5.95.

“It sold very well and got very good reviews when it first came out but, like all books, it went out of print,” she said.

“After I retired in 2000 I thought I would like to get it back in circulation, especially as early years education is now seen as vital, but time went by and I didn’t get around to it until covid times.

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“It needed to be revised because in 1988, kids didn’t have smartphones, teachers didn’t have whiteboards and there weren’t computers and tablets.”

All sales from the book will be donated to Leicester-based charity Home-Start Horizons.

Its network of volunteers offer help to parents with children from birth to the age of five across Rutland and Leicestershire, free of charge.

Maggie was a Home-Start volunteer for 11 years as well as a trustee.

“They provide emotional support and practical help for parents who are struggling with a range of things,” she said.

“But they are desperate for volunteers here to support these families.”

To find out more about Home-Start, and how to volunteer visit https://homestarthorizons.org.uk/ or email info@homestarthorizons.org.uk

Ready for School helps parents prepare children for the classroom and covers a wide range of topics including fun ways to engage pre-school children with subjects such as reading, spelling, writing, science, and music.

It also has advice for parents on what to look for and what questions to ask when choosing a first school.

“It has always struck me that the first five years are vital,” Maggie said.

“Parents are their children’s first teachers. If we look back at our lives it’s amazing what we have learnt from our own parents.

“Many children now aren’t being parented as they were. There often isn’t the time because both parents now have to go to work to pay the mortgage.”

Maggie may have retired from the education system in 2000, but she remains passionate about teaching.

“The main thing is that children have to have fun while learning, otherwise they won’t want to do it.”

To get a copy of Ready For School, contact Homestart or call Maggie on 01664 500057, 07495 224944 or email magswilson2@hotmail.com