Informal conversations with pupils revealed sophisticated reading tastes, ranging from classic Russian novels to the works of contemporary poets. Pupils are highly articulate and sensitive to the power of language.
– ISI, 2020
Studies show that reading for pleasure makes a big difference to a young person’s educational performance and is an essential part of physical and mental well-being which helps the development of the teenage brain. It is well known that those who read for enjoyment every day not only perform better in reading tests than those who don’t, but also develop a broader vocabulary, increased general knowledge and a better understanding of other cultures.
We want our pupils to have a lifelong love of reading. In all years, reading is highly encouraged. In Year 7 our accelerated reading programme helps us to promote reading, whilst further up the school the library promotes a number of in-house reading schemes to keep girls reading.
The library is at the heart of the school and regular literary events, from guest author visits to book days help us to celebrate books and the art of reading. We want our girls to be surrounded by examples of ‘must reads’ so that we build on the ‘reading for pleasure’ habit. Our library stocks books that not only support the curriculum to allow for non-fiction reading, but also books that match our pupils’ own interests and imaginations, sparking their enthusiasm for reading and books. We offer books that will hook young people into reading in their spare time and will resonate with who they are – so we ensure that our library stocks the increasingly popular Young Adult fiction novels. .
For recommended reading lists of new and classic fiction by age and genre, please look at the Book Trust and the Love Reading 4 Schools websites.
If you hold a Library card to any London borough Library you have access to a huge range of books, comics and magazines at RB Digital (now found on your app store) – your local Library may also provide access to other online resources.
Online resources to which the school subscribes can be found on the internal Library website.