World Book Day 2024: Promoting a Love of Reading for Students

Staff dressed up as their favourite characters to promote discussions around reading for pleasure for World Book Day 2024

Fewer than 1 in 2 (47.8%) children aged 8 to 18 said they enjoyed reading in 2022. This is on par with those recorded in early 2020, previously the lowest level since students were first asked the question in 2005. World Book Day is a highly successful and recognised initiative to combat the decline in students’ reading for pleasure – and Whalley Range High School is proud to celebrate reading for pleasure alongside 1000s of other schools nationally.

As well as providing every student in main school with a book token for a book of their choice, over the course of the day students had the chance to take part in lots of exciting activities and competitions to encourage them to engage with reading for pleasure:

• Form Time Quiz

  Students had to identify the members of staff reading, either from recognising their voice or from a picture where their faces were hidden by a book.

• A Readathon at Lunch

  Mrs Wicikowski provided a quiet place for students to come and read their books and score points for their form.

• Treasure Hunt

  Members of staff wore lanyards with book clues for students to collect during the day and/or dressed up as their favourite characters. Students completed a treasure hunt to collect as many of the lanyard information as possible to be entered into a prize draw to win prizes. This encouraged staff to promote their love of reading with the students and inspire their students to read the books they were promoting.

• Book Marks and LRC Competitions

  Students were also encouraged to attend the library to take part in competitions and students had the opportunity to create their own book-mark.

Overall the day was a huge success with a real buzz created about reading around the school. It was great to see students engaging in discussions around reading and enjoying the chance to take part in book-related competitions. World Book Day forms an important part of our constant drive on reading for pleasure, which is celebrated throughout the year.
Mr Parker, Assistant Headteacher (KS3 Curriculum and Whole-school Literacy)

Learn more about reading at Whalley Range 11-18 High School.