January 9th 2026
Reading aloud in the Library
Beginning this term, Mrs Manning has introduced ‘Friday Storytime’. Every Friday lunchtime the library is being transformed into a calm space with dimmed lighting, where children can come and either enjoy some mindful colouring or listen to a story. Being read to is one of life’s great joys and is proven to aid relaxation and instil calm and so we think it is the perfect way to end a busy week. Mrs Manning chose ‘The Cat that Walked by Himself’ by Rudyard Kipling to begin the initiative today, and will venture into poetry, short stories and other books as the year goes on. She may even invite some guest readers during the term.
2026 is the National Year of Reading, a UK-wide campaign designed to help more people rediscover the joy of reading. We all know the benefits of reading, but fewer of us are doing it. Reading expands minds, builds confidence and fuels creativity. Yet with more distractions and less time, reading for pleasure is in decline across many groups. The National Year of Reading 2026 is here to change that, by reconnecting reading with everyday culture. It’s not about guilt or obligation; it’s about helping people see that stories, ideas and imagination belong everywhere.
