Students at Heathfield Community College are busily turning the pages of their books as we enter the National Year of Reading 2026.
Against the back drop of a ‘national crisis’ in reading according to the National Literacy Trust, students at Heathfield continue to buck the trend, understand the importance of reading and find joy in doing so.
Our annual reading survey showed that 85% of Heathfield Community College students spend time outside of school reading. Kevin Hatchard, Assistant Headteacher said, “It is hugely pleasing to see our students at Heathfield gaining all the benefits of reading. Also, how our well-established reading culture has led to year on year increases in the number of students who are reading outside of school.”
Students at Heathfield Community College are consistently taught how reading supports both cognitive development and also well-being, allowing them to lose themselves in another world.
Reading for Pleasure
A Reading Scheme rewards students each term in Years 7-9 who earn certificates and the chance to be entered into a prize draw for a voucher. The Heathfield Reads scheme is hugely popular with 90% of students taking part and completing at least one book within the term and a growing number achieve the gold standard of having read eight books within a term.
Support to develop reading
A number of reading interventions take place at the College each year, encouraging those who don’t have a reading habit to develop regular practice, experiencing the joys and benefits of reading, or supporting improved reading skills so students can grow their confidence to read independently for pleasure.
Going All In
To celebrate the Year of Reading 2026, Heathfield Community College will be Going All In, encouraging students to take part in a series of events and challenges.
| Dates | Activity/Event | |
| February | Year 7 Reading Champions Quiz | |
| First release w.b. 23 February | Heathfield Favourites | A series of videos will be regularly released, featuring a member of Heathfield staff sharing their own favourite book |
| 11 March | Year 8 author and illustrator visit | Award-winning author Julian Sedgwick and illustrator Chie Kutsuwada as well as completing workshops with them on writing and illustrating their own stories |
| 19 March | Library Quiz Night | Our ever-popular annual Library quiz – fancy dress encouraged |
| Summer term | Heathfield Library joint events | ‘Heathfield Favourites’ will continue and we will join forces with Heathfield Library to launch a series a reading competitions and challenges |
More to follow:
There will be even more to come for Heathfield students as the National Literacy Trust launch national events that we will take part in throughout the year, all the way up to December, to mark this as a year where reading is truly celebrated.
