At Sir William Burrough School, one of our most important sessions that is part of our efforts to instil a love for reading, is DEAR Time (Drop Everything and Read).

The program allows pupils to forget about their normal routine and read whatever book they want in school with their parents.

These sessions are not just for building reading skills but for creating a strong and abiding relationship with books.

This relationship is valuable to personal growth, and as a school we know it is crucial in building up our pupils as individuals.

Reading widens their horizons and inspires their creativity, introducing them to new, unknown worlds of learning and imagination.

The concept of DEAR Time aligns itself with one of our school values, Growth. Children need space and time to intellectually and emotionally develop through reading.

Books give them a safe space to learn about themselves and for critical thinking, which is helpful to them both in school and outside.

Establishing a connection with books also helps to support our school's focus on Community.

Reading together as a class, discussing stories and participating in reading competitions create growth and positive relationships among pupils.

During DEAR Time, we not only ignite their relationship with books but also build on our school community as a whole. With the opening of our new library only being around the corner, we cannot wait to amplify their love of books even more.