The National Year of Reading 2026

The National Year of Reading 2026 is special, created to help children and adults in the UK enjoy reading more. Everyone is encouraged to explore all kinds of stories, books, comics, magazines, websites, and even audiobooks. with the theme "Go All In."

Throughout the year, the children of St. Mary's will enjoy reading as a tool for growing, learning, and slowing down.

We will share some of our experiences with you, such as library trips, reading cafes, and more.

Why is it happening now?

A 2025 report from the National Literacy Trust found that only 1 in 3 people aged 8-18 enjoyed reading in their free time, and 1 in 4 said they didn't enjoy reading at all.

Reading is not just about enjoying stories; it can also:

* Improve your well-being

* Improve your vocabulary and how you talk with others

* Help how you think and orgainse your ideas

* Help you relax

* Improve your imagination

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Zion Class Novel

In Zion class, we are reading Once by Morris Gleitzman, which links closely to our History topic on World War II. The story helps us understand what life was like for Jewish children during the Holocaust and shows the fear, bravery, and hope people experienced at that time. By following Felix’s journey, we can better imagine the real struggles families faced and connect the events in the book to what we are learning about WWII in history.