Cranbrook pupils bring favourite stories to life for World Book Day

Pupils and staff at a Devon school campus have swapped their usual uniforms for literary-themed costumes to mark World Book Day.

Cranbrook Education Campus, located near Exeter, transformed into a hub of imagination today as students and teachers dressed as a host of iconic book characters.

The event, which aims to promote a love of reading for pleasure, saw the campus community engage in a series of activities designed to celebrate the written word. As part of the festivities, all students received a £1 book token, which can be exchanged for special editions at participating retailers.

'Power of reading'

Reading is a core focus at the campus, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, an educational charity overseeing 18 schools across Devon.

Stephen Farmer, Head of Campus at Cranbrook, said: “As always, World Book Day was a fantastic day at Cranbrook. It was brilliant to see pupils and staff dressing up, sharing stories, and enjoying reading together.”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust, added: “It was a joy to see Cranbrook staff and students alike embrace their favourite stories with such excitement in honour of World Book Day. Moments like this truly show just how powerful reading can be in bringing people together.”

A focus on literacy

The initiative forms part of the wider UK National Year of Reading 2026, which encourages children to imagine, learn, and engage with literature beyond the school curriculum.

At Cranbrook, educators emphasise that the path to becoming a confident reader begins early, incorporating systematic phonics in the primary years before moving on to in-depth study of novels and creative writing.

The school, which is an "all-through" campus catering to students from early years through to secondary education, serves as a central fixture in the growing town of Cranbrook. Supporters say such events are vital in ensuring that pupils do not just learn to read, but develop a lifelong passion for books.