Dear Parents,
There was little time to settle with the return to school after the Half Term break, with Years 5 and 6 heading straight to the British Library. The role of libraries has sadly diminished, and it appears that reading for pleasure is also headed this way. I want to share some thoughts on something close to my heart and central to our children’s growth: the joy and importance of reading. I was reading this week the findings from the National Literacy Trust. The article focused on the impact of reading on children’s lives, and sadly, the declining rates of reading for pleasure among young people. Now, more than ever, it’s essential that we cultivate a love of reading in our children: of course, this enables academic success, but much importantly, there is something unique about the joy that reading brings.
The Trust’s 2024 Annual Literacy Survey, which gathered responses from over 76,000 young people, revealed that only 34.6% of children aged 8 to 18 enjoy reading in their free time, the lowest level since the survey began in 2005. Just 1 in 5 children read daily for pleasure. Reading enjoyment and frequency are closely linked to reading ability, with those who read regularly and for enjoyment demonstrating significantly higher skills.
At Bassett House, we are committed to making reading a fun and inspiring part of school life. I’m thrilled that Miss Hitchman, our Head of Lower School English has been hard at work reimagining our school library as a warm, inviting space. The efforts are helping to create a special environment where our children feel comfortable exploring books that ignite their imaginations. In the coming months, you can expect more exciting updates to our library space, designed to make it a favourite place for our children to read and learn.
In assemblies, I often focus on reading, using stories and books to inspire thought and discussion. I want Bassett pupils to see reading as something that connects us all – whatever age – and is a shared experience provokes thought and imagination.
Reading at home also reinforces the school’s approach. I realise lots of you will already do this, but I wonder if these pointers might help:
Set Aside Reading Time:
Make reading together a cozy, cherished part of your daily routine, perhaps in the evening or on weekends.
Model Reading:
Letting your children see you enjoy a book shows them that reading is something we can all love at any age.
Exploring New Books:
A visit to a book shop can be an adventure – The Notting Hill Bookshop is particularly good for children. Encourage Choice: Whether it’s a novel, graphic novel, or magazine, letting your child choose what to read can be empowering and motivating. I recently taught the children the lesser-known second half of the “Remember, remember…” Guy Fawkes poem. I’d be curious to know if any of them can recall this lesser-known part of the rhyme!
Mr Woodward
Head
