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Posted on January 20th 2026
The National Year of Reading — Why This Matters for Us at Harris Academy Bermondsey
2026 has been named the National Year of Reading, led by the All In campaign, and we couldn’t be more excited to champion a cause that sits at the very heart of everything we do at Harris Academy Bermondsey.
At HAB, literacy is not just a subject — it is a superpower.
Research from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) tells us that reading enjoyment is more important for a child’s educational success than any other factor. Simply put: those who read, succeed. But reading is about more than exam results. It builds confidence, curiosity, wellbeing, empathy and a lifelong love of learning.
That’s why we are dedicated to literacy in all its forms:
the joy of getting lost in a great story
the confidence that comes from a rich and powerful vocabulary
the ability to express ideas, dreams and opinions with clarity and conviction
Literacy that opens the world
Through our Personal Development curriculum, students explore the world beyond textbooks — reading weekly articles on topics such as Black British history, LGBTQ+ history, environmentalism, South Asian history, inspiring Muslim women and more. These sessions help our young people understand the world they live in and their place within it.
Reading for pleasure
Our Academy library is open before school, at break, at lunch and after school — ensuring every student always has access to exciting, inclusive and inspiring books. Reading for pleasure has been shown to improve wellbeing, strengthen relationships and build confidence, and we are proud to make reading a joyful daily habit at HAB.
Supporting every reader
We believe every child can become a confident reader with the right support. Through phonics, guided reading, SALT therapy, Reader Leader mentoring and small-group intervention, students receive tailored support to build fluency, comprehension and vocabulary.
Our Reader Leader programme is a powerful example of HAB’s values of Ambition, Compassion and Respect in action — with older students mentoring younger ones and helping them make remarkable progress.
The power of words
A rich vocabulary unlocks success across every subject. Through explicit vocabulary teaching, Bedrock Learning, morphology and academic language development, our students learn not only what words mean — but how to use them with confidence, precision and flair.
Because words give our students a voice.
And their voices matter.
Reading starts at home
We know that children who grow up surrounded by books are more confident and enthusiastic readers. Having books at home, sharing stories and reading together sends a powerful message: reading matters.
So as we head into the National Year of Reading, we invite our whole community — students, families and staff — to go all in.
Let’s read more.
Let’s talk about books.
Let’s model the joy of reading.
Together, we can give every young person the gift of literacy — a gift that lasts a lifetime.
HAB Reading Challenge: A Thousand Minutes of Success!
Last half term, our Year 8 students embraced an incredible challenge: read for 1,000 minutes over five weeks. To achieve the top prizes, students had to build a daily reading routine of at least 30 minutes every day—a commitment that truly paid off.
