Reading for Pleasure

Support your child’s learning

Reading for pleasure is a life-enhancing habit that also plays a vital role in developing students' literacy skills. At Wavell, we actively encourage students to choose books they’ll enjoy—while also guiding them toward texts that offer an appropriate level of challenge to support their progress.

Throughout Key Stage 3, regular English lessons take place in the school library, giving students access to a wide and carefully curated selection of fiction and non-fiction. Our dedicated library staff are always on hand to offer personalised recommendations and support. Students are encouraged to engage with their reading through positive and encouraging conversations with their peers and teachers, helping them to reflect on what they’ve read, share ideas, and deepen their understanding.

To create a culture of reading across the school, we run a number of exciting initiatives. These include reading challenges, where students can explore a range of genres and authors, and take part in themed tasks throughout the year. In lessons, class discussions provide space for students to share opinions, build confidence, and hear different perspectives on what they’ve read.

In addition, tutor time includes regular dedicated reading sessions, giving students opportunities to develop their reading habit in a shared and supportive environment.

For those who want to take their reading further, our prefect-run Book Club offers a welcoming space to explore new titles, recommend books to others, and build friendships around shared reading interests.

We also run a whole-school Reading Starters Week every half term. During this week, lessons across all subjects begin with a short period of quiet, focused reading—a chance for every student to enjoy their current book and develop the habit of reading regularly. Remember to always have a book in your bag!