Reading for Pleasure
Reading for Pleasure at Our School
At our school, we believe that reading is magical. It opens doors to new worlds, sparks imagination, and empowers children to explore, learn and dream. Reading for Pleasure sits at the heart of our curriculum because we know that children who read for enjoyment become confident, motivated and lifelong learners.
As part of this commitment, we have worked hard to create exciting book spines across school. These carefully selected texts enrich learning, link closely to the curriculum and spark deep interest, ensuring every child experiences a rich, diverse and inspiring reading journey.
It is our duty and privilege to help every pupil discover the joy, power and adventure that books bring.
Daily Reading for Pleasure
Every afternoon, we end the school day with a dedicated Reading for Pleasure session. Teachers read aloud a book chosen by the class, using the visualiser so pupils can see the pages clearly and enjoy both the text and illustrations.
During this time, teachers also:
- introduce exciting new books
- share teasers or book talks
- give quick recommendations
- encourage pupils to choose books that genuinely interest them
This daily routine helps create a calm, joyful and shared reading culture.
Inviting Reading Spaces
Each classroom contains a welcoming reading corner, refreshed termly to keep it exciting and inspiring. With soft furnishings and themed displays, these cosy spaces allow children to enjoy books in comfort.
Every class also visits the school library weekly. Pupils can browse our wide selection, choose a book and take it home to enjoy. This helps them develop independence and long‑lasting reading habits.
Reading Leaders: Pupils Who Inspire Pupils
Our school is proud to have a fantastic team of Reading Leaders—pupils who love reading and want to share that love with others.
Each week, Reading Leaders:
- listen to younger pupils read
- help them grow in confidence
- recommend books matched to their interests
- update the Reading Leader display in the library
They also share weekly book recommendations on their class Padlets, helping pupils across school discover stories, authors and genres they may not have explored before.
Our Book‑Bag Adventure
Every week, one pupil from each class takes home our special Reading for Pleasure Book Bag. Inside, they will find:
- a new book
- a cuddly reading buddy
- a sachet of hot chocolate
The book bag is designed to support reading at home and help families enjoy a relaxed, positive reading experience together. We encourage parents and carers to share the book with their child — or for the child to read to their adult, their sibling, or even the cuddly reading buddy inside the bag. This time together helps build confidence, fluency and genuine enjoyment of books.
Each pupil completes a creative response at home in the class reading journal. This might be a drawing, a short review, a character reflection or another imaginative piece inspired by the story. When they return the book bag and journal to school, they share their work with the class, helping inspire their peers and celebrate their reading achievements.
This home–school reading link is a special and much‑loved part of our approach to reading for pleasure, giving families a chance to enjoy stories together and helping children see themselves as real readers.
A Diverse and Welcoming Library
Our library is a bright, inclusive space filled with a wide range of diverse and representative books.
Clear labels help pupils easily find genres they enjoy, including adventure, fantasy, poetry, non‑fiction and graphic novels.
We want every child to find books that speak to their interests, identities and imaginations.
Library Padlets, Classroom Padlets and Reading Shed
From Year 2 upwards, pupils use our Reading Padlets to share recommendations and discover books suggested by classmates. We also have a whole‑school library Padlet featuring new and popular titles.
Our Reading Shed is open during playtimes and lunchtimes and provides a cosy outdoor space for pupils to enjoy books with friends.
If pupils can’t find a book they want, they can leave a request, and our Reading Leaders ensure new books are added.
Celebrating Reading All Year Round
Reading is celebrated throughout the year with exciting events such as World Book Day, National Poetry Day and themed reading weeks.
Author and Illustrator Visits
We regularly welcome authors and illustrators into school. These visits give children valuable opportunities to:
- meet real authors
- ask questions about writing
- discover how stories are created
- learn where ideas come from
These sessions inspire creativity, deepen pupils’ love of reading and help them see themselves as potential writers.
World Book Day
World Book Day is a highlight of our school year. Pupils come dressed in pyjamas, loungewear or book‑themed costumes and take part in a wide range of engaging reading activities, including:
- decorating a paper plate as a book character
- visiting our themed Starbooks Café
- exploring reading challenges
- enjoying a story under the interactive fire
We also host our popular Mystery Reader event and organise both class and whole‑school book swaps.
To make the day extra special, the school purchases the official World Book Day books so that every pupil can choose one to take home and keep.
