Last Friday, our students took part in a wonderful whole-school Voluntary Reading initiative, and we’re delighted to share what a positive experience it was.

The aim of Voluntary Reading was simple: to give students the freedom to choose any book that interested them and to enjoy time in our library without the pressure of assessments, set texts, or academic expectations. With the enormous variety of books we stock, students were able to explore new genres, revisit old favourites, and rediscover the simple pleasure of reading for its own sake.

Opportunities like this are increasingly important. With so many digital distractions at home, many children simply aren’t reading regularly, and like any skill, reading improves with practice. Our hope is that dedicating time during the school week helps students rebuild the habit of reading as a meaningful and enjoyable leisure activity; something that supports focus, imagination, wellbeing, and long-term academic success.

Friday’s event reminded us of just how powerful reading can be when students have the space and freedom to choose what speaks to them. We hope that this experience encourages them to continue picking up books beyond school hours and to see reading not as a task, but as a lifelong source of enjoyment.

We’re proud of the enthusiasm students showed, and we look forward to building on this momentum throughout the year.