Story added: 20th October 2017
Pupils at Firside Junior School, part of the Wensum Trust, received a special surprise yesterday afternoon when they were visited by Norwich City FC star Ivo Pinto.
The defender joined a Premier League Primary Stars session at the school, which was delivered by the club’s Community Sports Foundation (CSF). He took the time to meet the children and listen to them read, before reading to them a short excerpt from one of his favourite books.
“It’s been great to visit the school today and see how the programme is inspiring the children,” said Pinto.
“It’s so important to get kids to enjoy reading from an early age; hopefully they will take a lot out of today’s session and enjoy reading on their own and with their families.”


PL Reading Stars, a Premier League initiative developed in partnership with the National Literacy Trust, aims to stimulate literacy engagement in children who may love football but lack the motivation to read.
Firside Juniors headteacher Roz Robinson was pleased to see the positive impact that Pinto’s visit had on the school:
She reflected:
“Today’s session has really helped to engage the pupils and will hopefully make a difference in the way the pupils view reading.
“A huge thank you to Ivo for coming to the school today – I’m sure it’s a day that the children will all remember!”
Both primary and secondary schools can use the Premier League Reading Stars programme (Year 5-8). To find out more about the Primary Stars programme, click here.


"It’s been great to visit the school today and see how the programme is inspiring the children"
Ivo Pinto
Norwich City FC
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