Why reading is important to us...

Cultivating Minds and Hearts at Bishop Harvey Goodwin School

Reading is not just a skill we teach; it is the foundation upon which our pupils build their future. When we encourage our pupils to read for pleasure, we are giving them tools that transform their minds, habits, and wellbeing:

• The Ultimate Brain Workout: Immersive reading builds critical neural pathways. Engaging with stories is proven to enhance memory, supercharge vocabulary acquisition, and physically increase brain connectivity in areas responsible for language and movement.
• Building Unshakeable Focus: In an era of digital distractions, books are a sanctuary for attention. Studies show that students who read daily can focus more than twice as long on independent tasks, homework, and creative projects compared to infrequent readers.
• Nurturing the Whole Child: Getting lost in a book builds deep empathy and critical thinking. More than that, early reading habits are strongly linked to positive long-term mental health, reduced signs of anxiety, and healthier sleep patterns during the crucial teenage years.

All pupils in our school read everyday. We are incredibly lucky to have a beautiful library where children can come and chose and read books for pleasure. We have a vast selection of books and recommendations. We also take part in key events such as World Book Day. 

Through our library programmes and daily reading initiatives, we are committed to making reading a joyful, purposeful, and exciting adventure for every student.

Want to support your child's reading journey at home? Please listen to them read for at least 20 minutes a day and write a comment in their reading record book.