2026. I can’t believe we are in the second quarter of the 21st Century. 2025 was an incredibly successful year for Ranelagh and I am sure that 2026 will reap the same rewards. 2026 is the National Year of Reading. This is why your children came home with reading journals last week. Here, they can put in their thoughts and feelings about the book they are reading to you, or the book that you are reading to them.

The CEO of the National Literacy Trust states, ‘Reading is the foundation of a successful life – the key to unlocking potential, strengthening social cohesion, enhancing wellbeing and boosting skills.’ The National Literacy Trust says that reading is linked to a range of benefits including stronger writing skills, improved wellbeing and confidence, as well as increased creativity and imagination. More than anything, it gives you 15 minutes of peace in what I assume is a very busy day.

As a school, we promote children’s love of reading. There is a strong curriculum filled with rich literary books. There is a library in each class.plus a box of Ranelagh Recommends. Alongside this, there is a book hut in the reception area for children to take books that they love and keep them at home.