Students from a Portland primary school have received plaudits for their commitment to reading as part of a national challenge.

All 400 students at Atlantic Academy Primary on Portland took on the ‘Miles of Magic’ reading challenge launched by the National Literacy Trust and Bloomsbury earlier this year.

​The seven week reading challenge was launched to coincide with the 25th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone first being published.

‘Miles of Magic’ saw schools from across the country taking part in an effort to ‘help bring the magic of reading to life’.

The efforts of the children at Atlantic Academy Primary saw them crowned winners in the Best Engagement category for the competition: bagging the school a Harry Potter trunk filled with books and goodies for the school library.

Melissa Heppell, Principal of Atlantic Academy Primary, said: “The children at Atlantic Academy Primary have had a wonderful time taking part in the Miles of Magic Reading challenge. All 400 children at the school from Reception through to Year 6 took part.

“Reading is at the heart of everything we do at Atlantic Academy Primary and it has been wonderful to use the Harry Potter series and other books to enthuse the children and ignite a passion for words and magical adventures!

"The challenge culminated in a Harry Potter day at the school which was just wonderful. All the students and staff dressed up and we had a day of activities which included quidditch, a wizard tournament and making potions.

"Parents have loved the challenge as much as their children because of the fun and excitement. There was passion and commitment from staff at the school from the start and the challenge went beyond everyday learning. It has created wonderful memories for our children."

The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity founded by Sir Simon Hornby, former chairman of WHSmith, that campaigns to make literacy a priority for politicians and parents.

The trust was founded in 1993 and runs a number of national and local campaigns aimed at establishing literacy success within the poorest communities.