Reading for both pleasure and purpose unlocks a whole world of benefits and as the RGS Librarian I’m constantly working on ways to encourage boys to engage with books and all that the Library offers. From updating library stock, reviewing our collections, aligning nonfiction to fit better with the current curriculum plus running books clubs and a screen-free board game at lunchtimes, there is a lot happening in the Library these days! During the last year, I’ve updated our LGBTQ offerings, introduced both manga and graphic novel books and launched the Platinum Jubilee Historical Fiction collection. Online, we have our new Library Catalogue where boys can reserve, renew and review titles as well as access our ebook platform. The ebooks allow boys to read on any device - including their mobile. Embedding time to read every day results in increased empathy, a better vocabulary and can improve sleep. The Library has a quiet reading zone (no screens or chat) but the boys are welcome to work collaboratively in the main part of the Library from 8 a.m. as well as first break and lunch. If you haven’t already, check out our Library podcast hosted by the Year 13 Library Ambassadors and our Instragram account for those old enough to be using social media. Hilary Payne Librarian Here at RGS we are very keen for all students to read widely and to read often. This is partly for the sheer joy of reading, with stories offering the chance for pupils to escape into different worlds, have incredible adventures and explore new perspectives. There is also a wide body of research which shows the academic benefits of reading widely and reading often. One leading educationalist concluded that ‘it is a simple truth: successful reading helps determine academic success. Reading proves the master skill of school’ (Quigley, Closing the Reading Gap, 2020). I was particularly struck by the conclusions from a further academic study which found that ‘the presence of books in the home is the top predictor of whether a child will attain a high level of education - more significant than parents’ education, occupation, or class’ (Evans et al. Research in Social Stratification and Mobility, 2010). Despite the tangible benefits which the simple act of reading can bring, we know that, in general, boys at RGS tend to read less and less as they get older. This is unfortunately a national and even international trend. As teachers, we will always do our best to counter this move away from reading - providing students with lots of enticing snippets of books in lessons and plenty of book recommendations. We also really like it if students ask us about what we are reading as we are always happy to share! To encourage students to read widely and often, teachers from across departments have compiled the following list of enthralling books. The emphasis here is on engaging reads, rather than exam specific textbooks. The books are arranged by subject. Rather than send just your child’s year group, we felt that you and he would both be interested in what is recommended for all years. Hopefully if the boys like some of these recommendations, they will want to keep reading. It’s worth mentioning that RGS is very lucky to have an incredibly well-stocked library, set in the heart of the historic main building, and led by a professional librarian. Finally, from home, if you could encourage your son to spend some of his free time reading that would be amazing. Simon Taylor Subject Leader for History and Politics / Literacy Coordinator 02/03 Forwards
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