World Book Day saw Latymer students across Key Stages 3 and 4 engage in a range of activities – from telling stories to debating their favourite books - to celebrate reading and participating in a whole school reading survey
(KS3-5), which asked students about their relationship with reading.

In contrast to the national figure of 34.6%, as determined by the National Literacy Trust, a whopping 65% of Latymer students say that they enjoy reading. Moreover, whilst only 20.5% of 8-18-year-olds read every day, 58.5% of Latymer students read daily. 

Especially as the correlation between reading for pleasure, reading proficiency / regularity and  cademic achievement in all subjects is now well documented, it is heartening to share with you that Latymer students have such positive relationships with reading. Enormous congratulations to our wonderful readers! 

Particular commendation goes to the following form groups: 7W, 7W, 9D, 10K, 11LB, 12HRS and 13JAC for great reading habits.

For those students who would benefit from developing their reading habits (and, in the context of the national decline in reading enjoyment, frequency and proficiency), this is probably still a useful endeavour for many), please see the below list of suggested activities, as well as reacquainting yourselves with the pages on reading in student planners:

1. Visit your local library with friends or family: spend an afternoon perusing and discussing books, reading blurbs and first pages to find something really engaging to read.
2. Family book group: Choose a novel to read together and set aside a regular weekly time to discuss it (e.g. which character did you like most, and why? What did you enjoy about how it was written? What themes / ideas / messages do you think the book explored? What are your thoughts on these ideas?).
3.  Sibling book swap: Perhaps an older sibling or cousin has a book that they enjoyed that they could recommend and loan to your child, and vice versa?
4. Audiobooks: Sometimes, more challenging texts can be more easily accessed and enjoyed if they are listened to.
5. Routines: Even older children benefit from routines and reduced screen time, which cultivates wellbeing; discuss and agree upon a designated reading time with your child – free of phones and laptops. Perhaps en route to school or just before bed?
6. Novelty: If your child seems disinterested in reading certain books, perhaps recommend a totally different genre or form of book than what they’ve read before (e.g. graphic novels, biographies, books on the history of science, etc. – be led by their interests and hobbies). Studies show that reading begets more reading, so better to get into the habit than focus too much on what exactly your child is reading.
7. Modelling: Does your child see you or members of your family reading? Find a book you love and show that you love reading too.