Celebrating Reading Across Our Schools
Today, on National Read a Book Day – 6th September – we're celebrating the joy of reading; something that Lionheart schools wholeheartedly embrace from the very start of a child’s learning journey.
As a multi-academy Trust, we’re passionate about helping pupils develop the skills they need to thrive – both in and beyond the classroom – and reading plays a central role in that mission. That’s why we’ve created a rich and engaging curriculum designed to give children a strong grasp of literacy from the moment they join us.
Primary School
The journey begins in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) at primary school, where children enjoy vibrant picture books like The Girl Who Planted Trees by Caryl Hart and How the Camel Got His Hump by Rudyard Kipling. These stories introduce key vocabulary and help develop important thinking skills such as inference and prediction – all while sparking a love of storytelling that can last a lifetime.
As pupils move into Key Stage 2 (KS2), they begin exploring longer novels that broaden their vocabulary and deepen their understanding of how stories work. From timeless classics like The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis to modern favourites like The Wild Robot by Peter Brown, these books fuel creativity and help children become confident, imaginative writers in their English lessons.
This strong foundation often leads to fantastic outcomes in KS2 Statutory Assessment Tests (SATs). In 2025, for example, 86% of pupils across our primary and junior schools met Age-Related Expectations in Reading – 11% above the national average.
Secondary School
Our commitment to reading continues as learners move into secondary school, where English leaders have developed the Lionheart Literary Canon – a curated list of books that students aim to read by the end of Key Stage 3 and 4. Each year group has four recommended titles, with copies readily available in every secondary school library. Examples include, You are a Champion by Marcus Rashford, Cane Warrior by Alex Wheatle and Adam Silvera's They Both Die at the End.
While compiling the Canon, teachers chose a wide range of engaging and thought-provoking texts that reflect the interests and experiences of our students. Learners explore different genres and literary styles, and we’ve made sure the selection is as diverse as possible – so students can see themselves represented in the books they read, whether through characters, authors or settings.
Georgina Cashmore, Trust Director for English across Secondary Schools said:
We’re hoping this initiative will continue to build a culture of reading across the Trust and encourage a lifelong love of books, beyond the curriculum.
By providing these books for each school and making them freely accessible, we want every student – no matter their background – to feel inspired to read.
This approach helps students build on their primary school success and achieve excellent results at GCSE and A-level, setting them up for future academic and personal achievements.
Beyond the curriculum, we also run a variety of Trust-wide initiatives that celebrate the joy of reading. Teachers share their current reads through ‘I’m Reading…’ posters displayed around schools. Our Tutor Reading Programme ensures all Year 11 students engage with a selection of high-quality novels, while the ‘Book in a Bag’ initiative encourages students to always carry a book with them.
School libraries offer plenty of creative opportunities too – from summer reading challenges and competitions to author workshops. Past guests have included Alexandra Sheppard, Marie Basting and Steve Skidmore, who’ve inspired pupils with their storytelling and writing tips.
So, this National Read a Book Day, why not lose yourself in the magical world of literature by picking up one of the books from our Literary Canon, or one of our primary recommendations?
Whether you’re a pupil, parent or teacher, we invite you to celebrate by diving into a story and sharing the joy of reading.
About the author
Lionheart Educational Trust