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The Power of Reading

Last week, I delivered an assembly to years 7-11 on the power of reading. Without question, reading is the master skill of secondary school and reading for pleasure has been shown by countless studies to benefit mental health and wellbeing, develop vocabulary, increase GCSE outcomes (in Maths and Science as well as English and ‘essay subjects’), improve career opportunities, and help us to develop empathy. 

After all, reading is a vital means of acquiring knowledge and, to quote Francis Bacon,  knowledge is power. In a world of AI, algorithms and widespread misinformation, being a reader is an essential tool for ensuring we retain our capacity to think critically, creatively, and originally. Reading students are empowered students.

Finally, reading for pleasure is just fantastic fun! It’s a way of escaping the here and now and journeying to different worlds, time periods and perspectives all through the power of the imagination. Fortunately, the phone ban in schools frees all of us up to have more time spent on hobbies besides endless scrolling, so this couldn’t be a better time to start!

If you can, ask your child what they’re interested in and support them to use the school library (in person and online) to find a book that’s perfect for them. Ms Lawrence is a total expert at matching students to their dream book. Perhaps you could even consider developing a reading routine with your child to get them hooked on the habit. They could read with you, to you, or independently: it all helps.

Happy reading!

Grace Richardson,
Head of English Faculty