Reading is at the heart of life at Orchard House School.
We believe that reading is much more than an academic skill. It is a gateway to imagination, knowledge and creativity; a way to build confidence and vocabulary; and a source of calm, enjoyment and wellbeing.
With 2026 marking the National Year of Reading, there has never been a better time to celebrate the many ways we encourage our pupils to discover the joy of books and develop a lifelong love of reading.
Regular time with books plays an important role in children’s academic progress. As pupils encounter rich vocabulary, varied sentence structures and different styles of writing, they develop stronger comprehension and increasingly sophisticated language skills. Reading also supports writing, giving children opportunities to see how ideas, characters and stories can be brought to life through language.
But perhaps most importantly, we want our pupils to read because they want to read.
At a time when national data shows a concerning decline in the number of children reading for pleasure, our aim is to help counter this trend by giving pupils access to high-quality literature, encouraging positive reading habits and ensuring that books remain a joyful and valued part of everyday school life.
This is the thinking behind our Reading Explorer and Reading Scholar programmes, which were launched this academic year for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
Introducing our Reading Explorers
Our Reading Explorer programme encourages pupils in Key Stage 1 to discover a wide range of wonderful children’s literature.
Before each holiday, pupils receive a carefully selected list of books to choose from, with titles spanning a range of reading levels and including modern stories, classics, chapter books and beautifully illustrated picture books.
The programme is deliberately flexible. Children can read independently, enjoy a book with an adult or take part in shared reading. They can complete their chosen book during the holiday or continue reading it over the term if they need more time.
Once they have finished a book, pupils complete a creative Explorer’s Task inspired by their reading. After sharing their completed activity with their class, they receive a Reading Exploration Point. Ten points earn a Reading Explorer badge.
The focus is not simply on how many books a child can read, but on helping children engage with stories, think creatively about what they have read and develop a positive relationship with books.
Celebrating our Reading Scholars
For pupils in Key Stage 2, our Reading Scholar programme provides an exciting challenge to develop regular reading habits and encourage pupils to explore increasingly rich and complex literature.
Pupils are challenged to read for at least 20 minutes each day, recording the pages they have read in their reading diary and reflecting on their experience with a sentence or two.
When pupils complete a book, they are awarded between one and three points, depending on factors such as the literary complexity of the book, the richness of its vocabulary and the depth of its themes. They then complete an exit ticket, giving them an opportunity to reflect on the book and their reading experience.
Reaching 30 points earns a prestigious Reading Scholar badge, which is presented by our Head of School – a wonderful recognition of pupils’ commitment to reading.
The response to the programme has been fantastic, and its success has inspired us to take the initiative even further. We are now extending our reading awards to include Reading Critic, Reading Ambassador and Reading Laureate, providing new ways to recognise pupils who demonstrate enthusiasm, thoughtfulness and leadership through their reading.
A school full of stories
Our commitment to reading extends far beyond the classroom and reading diary.
Earlier this year, we celebrated World Book Day with a whole week dedicated to stories, literature and imagination. Reading took centre stage across the school as pupils enjoyed a vibrant programme of activities designed to bring books to life.
We were delighted to welcome authors Sylvia Bishop and Simon Mole, who inspired pupils through assemblies, workshops, poetry and storytelling. From exploring the creative process behind Sylvia’s books to joining in with Simon’s lively poetry and imaginative writing activities, pupils had the opportunity to meet authors and discover the people and ideas behind the stories they love.
Our Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) initiative saw the entire school pause at unexpected moments to enjoy some quiet reading time. It was a lovely reminder that, wherever we are and whatever we are doing, there is always time for a good book.
Pupils also enjoyed our very own Masked Reader, with mysterious masked members of staff reading extracts from favourite stories while children tried to guess their identities. An orange reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, a disco ball sharing Jack and the Beanstalk and a cucumber reading The Wild Robot were just some of the characters to make an appearance!
The week culminated in joyful Character Parades, with pupils bringing favourite book characters to life through wonderfully creative costumes – while staff joined in the fun by dressing as the famously elusive Where’s Wally?
Sharing the joy of reading
One of the most special things about reading at Orchard House is the way it brings our whole community together.
Our Parent Mystery Readers regularly visit classrooms to share a favourite book with their child’s class. This much-loved initiative gives children the excitement of discovering which mystery guest is behind the next story, while allowing our families to share their own love of books with the school.
Our older pupils also have the opportunity to read with younger children, creating special moments of shared reading and allowing younger pupils to see their older peers as reading role models.
These experiences help reinforce an important message: reading is something we can enjoy together.
Books beyond the classroom
Our World Book Day celebrations also gave us the opportunity to widen access to books beyond our own school community.
Our book drive, run in partnership with The Children’s Book Project, resulted in a fantastic collection of children’s books donated by pupils, parents and staff. The books will help ensure that more children have access to stories and reading opportunities.
Pupils were also challenged to think creatively about where reading can take place through our ‘reading in unusual places’ photography competition, which produced a wonderful collection of imaginative entries.
Meanwhile, several Orchard House pupils have been recognised through the Dukes Beyond World Book Day initiative, creating imaginative pop-up books based on A Day in the Life at Orchard House. Our finalists – Albie and Leila in Year 2, Henry in Year 3, and Grace and Stefan in Year 4 – had the opportunity to showcase their work at a special Pop-Up Book Exhibition alongside pupils from other Dukes schools.
Looking ahead
From the excitement of earning a Reading Explorer badge to the pride of becoming a Reading Scholar, from sharing a story with a parent Mystery Reader to discovering a new favourite book during World Book Day, we are incredibly proud of the reading culture developing across Orchard House.
Our programmes are helping pupils to read more regularly, explore a wider range of literature and think more deeply about what they read. Just as importantly, they are helping children to discover authors, characters and stories that they can carry with them long after they leave the classroom.
As we celebrate the National Year of Reading, our ambition is simple: to help every child become a confident, curious and enthusiastic reader.
Because a love of reading is something that can last a lifetime.
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