Reading for Pleasure at Metheringham Primary School 

Welcome to our Reading for Pleasure page! At Metheringham Primary School, we believe that reading is not just a skill to master but a journey to enjoy, explore, and share with others. Our commitment to inspiring a lifelong love of reading underpins everything we do, from engaging activities and dedicated reading spaces to partnerships with inspiring authors and poets. 

What is Reading for Pleasure? 

Reading for pleasure is the experience of reading because you want to—not just because you have to. It’s about discovering new worlds, meeting fascinating characters, and exploring ideas that spark curiosity. When children read for pleasure, they develop a genuine love for stories, poetry, information, and imagination. Research shows that reading for pleasure supports academic success, improves empathy and creativity, and enhances overall well-being. 

Why is Reading for Pleasure Important? 

A love of reading enriches children’s lives in countless ways. Children who read for pleasure are more likely to excel academically, develop better language skills, and become more confident and curious learners. Reading fosters imagination, empathy, and resilience, allowing children to see the world from diverse perspectives. At Metheringham Primary School, we aim to make reading a joyful, regular part of every child’s day. 

How We Encourage Reading for Pleasure 

At Metheringham Primary, we are dedicated to nurturing each child’s journey as a reader. Here’s how we’re bringing the joy of reading into every corner of our school: 

• Reading Ambassadors: Our fantastic Upper Key Stage 2 Reading Ambassadors are at the heart of our reading community. These passionate young leaders support younger children by reading with them and looking after our beautiful reading areas, including the school library, reading sheds, and inviting classroom reading nooks. Their enthusiasm for reading inspires younger pupils, helping them feel excited about the stories and adventures awaiting them in every book. 

• Author and Poet Visits: To bring books to life, we frequently invite authors and poets to our school to share their insights, read from their work, and answer students' questions. These visits encourage our children to see reading as a gateway to creativity and connection with writers around the world. 

• Recommended Reads and Book Voting: Our teachers and Reading Ambassadors recommend books for all ages and interests, and students regularly vote on their favorite books. This allows every child to have a say in what’s on our shelves and encourages them to explore new genres, authors, and series they might not otherwise choose. 

• Mystery Readers and New Releases: We regularly host “Mystery Reader” events, where surprise readers visit classes to read aloud exciting stories. We also make sure our library is stocked with the latest releases, keeping up-to-date with new books, award-winning titles, and trending series to capture children’s interests. 

Recognised Achievement in Reading for Pleasure 

We’re incredibly proud to share that our commitment to reading for pleasure has been recognised with a Silver Award from the Lincolnshire Reading Pledge! This award highlights our efforts to create a positive reading culture within our school community. But we’re not stopping there! We’re now working towards the prestigious Gold Award by finding even more ways to celebrate and expand our reading culture. 

Looking Ahead: Involving Our Community and Beyond 

As part of our journey toward the Gold Award, we are planning to strengthen our connections with the wider community. We’re looking to partner with local organisations and libraries, link up with other schools across the UK, and even explore international connections. Stay tuned for exciting updates as we continue to create a community that values and celebrates reading! 

Follow Us for Book Recommendations and Updates 

We love to share book recommendations and updates on all the exciting things happening in reading at our school! Follow us on our School Twitter page to stay connected and see what’s happening each week. 

Thank you for joining us on our mission to inspire a lifelong love of reading at Metheringham Primary School. With the support of our Reading Ambassadors, our dedicated staff, and our wonderful students and families, we’re building a vibrant, enthusiastic reading community—one story at a time. 

Let’s meet this year’s UKS2 Reading Ambassadors -