Parent Survey

Reading at Greenford

GHS is a reading school, and we encourage all students and staff to read for pleasure.  Research shows that children who read regularly for pleasure are more likely to be successful in their school work: reading increases our  vocabulary,  and teaches us how to empathise with others through experiencing their lives in the pages of a book.  ‘Stories can help keep ‘normal sad’ from tipping over into something more serious, and we can use books as part of our mental health maintenance.’   (From ‘How to be sad: Everything I've learnt about getting happier, by being sad, better’ by Helen Russell). Reading with your child is one of the best  ways in which you can help support your child’s development. 

All students in Years 7 - 10 are currently reading a  shared book together once  a week during form time, on Tuesdays (Years 9 and 10) or Wednesdays (Years 7 and 8).  If your child is in Year 7, they are reading ‘Notting Hill: A West Side Story’ by Candice Carty Williams, in Year 8 they are reading ‘You Are a Champion’ by Marcus Rashford, in Year 9 they are reading ‘Needle’ by Patrice Lawrence and in Year 10 they are reading ‘Sawbones’ by Catherine Johnson. Students read out loud together with their form tutor, who helps explain new words and encourages students to discuss the challenges raised in the life of the people in the story. In this way, we encourage having a shared experience within our school community, where everyone is connected by having read the same book.  Please do ask your child about their experience of reading together with their form.