Thanks to the incredible generosity of a parent donor, Radley’s Reading Programme is flourishing, helping to embed reading at the heart of college life. This year it has made a significant impact, deepening the literary culture across all year groups and inspiring students to develop lasting reading habits.
Distinguished Literary Voices
We were fortunate to have been able to organise visits from acclaimed writers who brought literature to life. Simon Mason visited once again to lead a reading and writing workshop, and to chair a discussion of ‘A Killing in November’. Simon Armitage, the Poet Laureate, captivated over 300 students, including pupils from partner schools, and staff. The visit from distinguished poet Tishani Doshi provided GCSE and A-Level students with exposure to diverse contemporary voices and inspiring deeper engagement with poetry and the writing process.
Celebrating Literary Achievement
Our competitive events have flourished with record-breaking participation. The Year 9 Carnegie Shadowing Competition achieved unprecedented engagement, encouraging critical reading skills and literary discussion. The Literary Awards Shadowing Dinner for Years 12 and 13 achieved record attendance reflecting the growing enthusiasm for literary excellence within the senior school.
The Senior Book Group has also thrived, with highlights including a fascinating Zoom conversation with Sam Taylor, translator of Laurent Binet’s acclaimed novel ‘HHhH’. This virtual engagement provided students with unique insights into the translation process and the complexities of bringing foreign literature to English-speaking audiences. The younger years read ‘Rivers of London’, by Ben Aaronovitch. Having read the first part of a trilogy, the experience has led several boys to explore further.
A Vision for the Future
Beyond learning to love books, reading nurtures curiosity, empathy, and analytical thinking. We are building on this momentum with exciting plans for a cultural trip to Dublin in 2026, which will provide students with opportunities to explore Irish literary heritage and contemporary cultural expressions. This international dimension will further enrich their understanding of literature within its cultural context.
Looking ahead, we are exploring the potential for Form Master-led reading groups for every boy in the school. This initiative would ensure that reading becomes an integral part of pastoral care, with Form Masters guiding literary discussions and fostering a love of books within smaller, more intimate groups across all year levels.
The high levels of participation across all events demonstrate the programme’s success in fostering a genuine engagement with reading.
Alex Nash, Head of English
