One core focus for me this upcoming academic year will be reading. We are currently facing a national crisis regarding children’s reading habits. Recent research indicates that only one in three children and young people in our country now enjoy reading—a distressing drop of 33% since 2005. Moreover, one in four children in the UK struggles to read well by the age of 11. This alarming situation is affecting our classrooms, communities, and families. Studies show that reading for pleasure is the strongest indicator of a child's opportunities and future success. When children find joy in reading, they are more likely to read frequently, enhancing not only their reading skills but also contributing positively to their mental well-being, self-confidence, and overall learning experience.

During our transition day, I shared a reading slide with your child, and I would love to discuss it with you as well. The slide outlines some exceptional books we will be focusing on throughout the year. Support and engagement from you at home will be invaluable in helping your child grow as a reader. If you happen to have any of these books at home, or are able to borrow them from a library or purchase them, it will significantly aid in their understanding and comprehension of the stories we will be exploring together. If you do choose to buy books, I often find lovely second-hand options at World of Books at very reasonable prices and in good condition.