National Year of Reading

Everyone knows that reading expands worlds, sharpens minds, and fuels creativity. It is time for the nation to Go All In!

The National Year of Reading 2026 is the biggest campaign in a generation designed to help more people (re)discover the joy of reading and make it part of their everyday lives.

Reading expands our world and sharpens our minds, yet fewer people are making time to read. A Department for Education initiative, in collaboration with the National Literacy Trust, the campaign aims to tackle the profound decline in reading enjoyment in the UK and reconnect people of all ages with reading as a relevant and immediately rewarding activity. The campaign asks the nation to Go All In on their passions and interests for 2026 and discover how reading can unlock the things they already love – be that music, football, baking, family-time, sci-fi, or … anything.

A strange creature in a jar with the label 'failed' stuck on it appeared in our classrooms, alongside a book called The Barnabus Project! Our teachers would not let us read the book (very unusual) so our curiosity grew and grew and GREW! At last, during Book Week, the book was opened and the story read. We loved it!

We were dazzled by all your creativity as we enjoyed World Book Day this week. The school was full of colour as the children and staff arrived in fancy dress costume depicting a wide variety of book characters. It was a joy to tour the school and see children enjoying talking about favourite books and stories.

BBC Radio Merseyside broadcast live from our school which added to the excitement of the day. We felt privileged to be chosen to host the show – thank you to Angela who picked us out of the crowd and brought us some lovely new books. The BBC Radio Merseyside team (Kevin, Jess and Claire) were amazing, putting us all at ease, and even dressing up themselves to enter into the spirit of the event. We were so proud of everyone and the positive comments shared through BBC Radio Merseyside’s socials were heart-warming. A special shout out must go to the children, parents, staff and governors who bravely agreed to be interviewed. Well done Eric, Sophia, Adriana, Lilly, Alyssa, Robyn, Charlie, Sonny, Penelope, Mrs King, Mr and Mrs Sambrooks, and Ms O’Connor.

Thank you to the whole school community for your support with this event. It certainly was a very memorable day for our children and, hopefully, it has inspired each child to read at least one new book.  All in all, the day proved to be a wonderful celebration of books.

You can listen to the broadcast through BBC iPlayer, search: Kevin Duala: Live from Hatton Hill

M&M Productions treated us to a performance of Oliver Twist. With changing stage, lighting and talented actors, our hall became a theatre and the children sat, mesmerised, by the entire show. It was a fabulous opportunity for our children to experience live theatre and to access a classic piece of literature. It may also inspire some of our children to consider acting. Most importantly, it was really enjoyed! 

Following the performance, Year 3 were given the opportunity to take part in a workshop. The children found out all about what was happening behind the scenes of the production, including how the cast remember which part of the set is next, how to get it into position and which costumes the characters need to wear, and when. Children also discovered the secrets of the lighting and music that provide the sensory experiences we felt whilst watching the show. To top it all off, the children had a chance to pretend to be some of the characters - young Oliver and the not so young, Fagan. Everyone moved around the hall and had a go at talking like the characters too. It was amazing.