Reading Week 2025

The sun truly shone down on us for Reading Week this year — you could say you couldn’t have written a more perfect week!

In Lower School, the children have been buzzing with excitement and creativity. Each class chose a favourite book to inspire their beautifully decorated classroom doors, and Year 4 ventured into the woods for a magical Narnia adventure. Year 3 brewed up some imaginative potions, taking inspiration from George’s Marvellous Medicine, while the whole school searched high and low for hidden Wallys across the grounds. The week also featured a fantastic poetry recital, with pupils performing a wonderful range of poems. Our Book Factor gave children the chance to share and champion books they love, and of course, World Book Day saw everyone out in force, proudly showing off their fabulous costumes representing the many beloved characters found in stories.

In Upper School, the celebrations were just as creative and inspiring. Year 6 brought poetry to life with some brilliant performances of animal-themed poems.

A poem about the wrongness of television and the rightness of books. Inspired by the poem Television by Roald Dahl

Black and white,
Plasma Green,
Don't look at that repulsive screen!

It can rot!
It can freeze!
Like a dreadful poisonous breeze.

It stops your thinking
Your brain, it corrodes
Even when watching your favourite shows.

Not convinced?
You should know
What children did long ago?

They read books!
All day long
Stories about Padfoot and Prongs

Fairies, wizards,
Dinos too,
There's always a book that'll comfort you

So switch it off
That hypnotic screen
Ask a librarian, they're always keen

About different books
For you to explore
Because once you start, you'll always want more

By Nathan Abrahams 6AM

Year 7 took a unique approach to poetry by censoring and creatively reshaping extracts from dystopian texts to form their own thought-provoking pieces. Meanwhile, Year 8 threw themselves into a jumble of imaginative projects to honour the greatest writer in the English language — William Shakespeare. From rap battles and autobiographical diaries to original poems, detailed models, and even emotional playlists, they captured the heart and soul of Romeo and Juliet in countless creative ways.

As always, World Book Day on Thursday filled the school with colour, fun, and plenty of literary magic. A huge thank you to parents for your support — from attending the parade to the hours spent creating those fantastic costumes. And of course, thank you to the children for bringing such joy, enthusiasm, and a love of reading to every activity.

We look forward to celebrating and sharing a selection of winners in the coming weeks — so stay tuned!

Finally, a special thank you to all the families who have kindly donated books for our Outdoor Classroom — please do keep them coming!

Miss S Bufton, Head of English and Mrs E Pendred, Lower School English Coordinator