13th March 2026
HEADLINES By Mrs A Harris
WORLD BOOK WEEK Last week, our school came together for a spectacular celebration of World Book Week. From corridors lined with literary doorways, to classrooms buzzing with book-focused activities; the energy was a testament to the power of stories. While the day is full of fun and costumes, its purpose has never been more vital. Reading for pleasure is a superpower that supports mental health, empathy and academic success. However, recent data reminds us why we must continue to champion literacy:
The school was physically transformed as every department took part in our Door Decorating Competition. Walking through the halls now feels like walking through a library, with doors designed as everything from classic gothic novels to modern thrillers. Well done to our winners: 10RMu/VHi and our runners up: 7FGr/ 7SPl/ 10HGo/ 8LGo!
• According to the National Literacy Trust’s 2025/26 research, reading enjoyment among children and young people is at its lowest level in two decades. • Only 28.6% of 14 to 16 year olds report enjoying reading in their free time. • Just 1 in 5 young people read daily, with the sharpest decline occurring as students transition into secondary school. At Honywood, we are determined to reverse this narrative. Here is a look at how we celebrated the week: Our ‘Get Caught Reading’ competition saw learners finding the most creative, unexpected, and hilarious places to dive into a book. From reading in the aisles of supermarkets, to getting lost in a story upside down - the entries were fantastic! All entries have now been posted on our official Facebook page. We need your help to pick the winners! Please head over and like your favourite entry to cast your vote.
In the classroom, literacy took centre stage across every subject. In our Geography department for instance, learners explored the book ‘How to Teach Grown-Ups About Climate Change’. They engaged with concerning statistics about the pace of global warming but, more importantly, walked away with practical, actionable steps to help reduce its effects. Seeing learners use literacy to tackle real-world crises is exactly why we weave reading into every lesson. On Thursday, the effort from both staff and learners was fantastic. The variety of costumes