Reading is at the heart of our school. Developing a love of reading is one of the most important foundations for a child’s learning and future success. Through reading, children build their vocabulary, improve their understanding of language, and develop the skills they need to access all areas of the curriculum. Confident readers are better able to explore new ideas, think critically, and express themselves clearly. Most importantly, reading opens the door to imagination, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.

Our library plays a central role in nurturing this love of reading. Every class has a dedicated weekly slot to visit the library, where children can explore a wide range of books and select a book to borrow and take home. This regular opportunity allows pupils to discover new authors, genres and topics that interest them, helping to make reading both enjoyable and personal while ensuring every child always has a book to enjoy at home.

We also celebrate and reward reading at home. Children who regularly read outside of school are recognised for their efforts, helping to build positive reading habits. One of the ways we reward our readers is through our special book vending machine, DORIS. When children reach a set number of reads at home, they receive a DORIS token which they can use to choose their very own book from the vending machine to keep. This exciting reward encourages children to keep reading and helps them build their own personal libraries at home.

By promoting reading both in school and at home, we aim to ensure that every child develops the confidence, curiosity and skills they need to succeed in their learning and beyond.