Haberdashers’ Monmouth School

Leaders place a strong strategic emphasis on reading across the school, resulting in a highly positive reading culture and strong outcomes for pupils of all ages. In the pre-prep and prep schools, reading is taught systematically through a well-sequenced phonics approach, regular assessment and targeted intervention. Pupils benefit from protected reading time, frequent opportunities to be read to, and engaging initiatives such as reading passports, ‘drop everything and read’ (DEAR), reading ambassadors and buddy reading. The prep library is a welcoming, well-used space that promotes reading for pleasure, supported by strong parental engagement and close collaboration between librarians and literacy leads.In the Senior school, leaders build effectively on these strong foundations. The senior librarian and head of English work closely to provide a coherent programme that extends pupils’ reading skills, vocabulary and critical engagement with texts. Older pupils are motivated through structured reading programmes, enrichment activities, book clubs and cross-age initiatives, alongside increased access to subject-specific and non-fiction texts. Leaders monitor pupils’ engagement and progress carefully and refine provision, including the use of online literacy resources, to meet pupils’ evolving needs and sustain enjoyment of reading.