The National Literacy Trust have launched a new initiative for 2026 to encourage more young people to pick up a book and get stuck into the delights of reading, raising awareness of this pleasurable activity and its benefits for intellectual growth and positive mental health.
Leighton Park’s Read Around the World Challenge, championed by English teacher Merion Taynton, encourages an interest in other cultures and in literary traditions around the globe, tying in with the school’s international outlook. Students are rewarded for different levels of achievement from reading one book from each continent (Bronze) to one book from every country in the world (Platinum).
Lars (Year 10) is an avid reader and achieved Silver last year, clocking up an impressive three books per continent. Talking about his passion for reading, Lars reflected: “My favourite types of books are adventure/action or murder mystery. I love reading because you can distract yourself in a world unlike your own, experiencing stories unlike all others. The English Department has been very supportive and has always tried to make me read, something which I’m more than happy to do. And I think we are also incredibly lucky to have such a large library.”
As a boarding school with students from 41 different countries and a Sixth Form education programme that includes the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, there is plenty of exposure to literature from around the globe. The iGCSE English Literature course, compulsory at KS4, encompasses a variety of authors from Benjamin Zephaniah to Carol Ann Duffy, from Steinbeck to Shakespeare. At Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) there is a timetabled Library lesson once per fortnight; a dedicated hour of silent reading for pleasure. “Reading doesn’t have to be a solitary activity,” explained Head of English, Jessica Boswell, “We act texts out, we do group reading, we do slam poetry; we cover literature from the whole spectrum.”
Librarian, Rebecca Feghali, builds on the English curriculum by offering three popular co-curricular book clubs one of which will be shadow judging the eight finalists of the 2026 Carnegie Medal. The Library’s new wellbeing initiative also encourages reading for building resilience and positive mental health through relevant monthly displays, the poetry pharmacy, literary-themed Collects and a Research Café for Sixth Formers supporting independent stress-free learning.
We look forward to celebrating the National Year of Reading through our array of book-based activities and through the highlight of Book Week in March; a showcase of literature for the school community. The annual Book Shop allows students access to the latest titles which they are welcome to browse on site, there will be games about words and books in the Library and excitingly we will be hosting a visit from acclaimed author, Lisa Williamson, who will be delivering talks and workshops to an avid audience on 3rd March ahead of World Book Day on 5th.
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