Why Reading Matters So Much at The Villa

At The Villa, we believe that reading is at the heart of learning—a gateway to knowledge, imagination, empathy, and lifelong success. But recent findings from the National Literacy Trust reveal a worrying trend: fewer children are reading for pleasure than ever before.

So why does this matter? And what are we doing at The Villa to ensure all our children grow up not just able to read—but wanting to read?

The Current Picture: A National Decline in Reading for Pleasure

According to the National Literacy Trust’s latest survey of over 115,000 children:

• Only 1 in 3 children aged 8–18 say they enjoy reading.

• Just 1 in 5 read daily in their free time.

• These are the lowest figures in two decades.

This is more than just a reading issue. Children who don’t read for pleasure miss out on the rich benefits that reading brings—academic achievement, emotional development, creativity, and even improved wellbeing.

Why We Prioritise Reading at The Villa

To tackle this reading crisis and nurture enthusiastic, confident readers, we’ve built our reading culture on four key pillars:

1. High-Quality Texts

We choose stories that spark imagination, mirror children’s experiences, and stretch their thinking. From beautifully illustrated picture books to engaging chapter stories and factual texts, we expose children to a rich reading diet that builds vocabulary, empathy, and curiosity.

Children connect more deeply when they see themselves—or discover someone new—between the pages of a book.

2. A Systematic Phonics Programme + Sight Word Learning

Reading starts with learning how words work. That’s why we use a structured and proven phonics programme, giving children the tools to decode confidently and independently.

Alongside this, we teach sight words—high-frequency words that help build fluency and support early comprehension. These skills help children move from "learning to read" to "reading to learn."

3. Reading Daily at Home

We know that reading at home makes a huge difference. Just 10–15 minutes a day of shared or independent reading:

• Strengthens the link between home and school learning

• Builds confidence and routine

• Shows children that reading is valuable—and enjoyable

Parents are a child’s first reading role model. Your interest, encouragement, and time can transform a child’s attitude to books.

4. Reading for Pleasure and Choice

At The Villa, reading isn’t just something children have to do—it’s something we want them to want to do. We:

• Provide diverse and exciting book selections

• Celebrate reading through story times, book corners, and special events

• Encourage choice and independence

• Share our own love of books

We’re building not just capable readers, but joyful ones.

How You Can Help at Home

Reading for pleasure is most powerful when supported both at school and at home. Here’s how you can support your child:

✅ Read together daily—even if it’s just a short story✅ Let them choose books that interest them (including comics or audiobooks!)✅ Talk about books—what they liked, didn’t like, or want to read next✅ Visit your local library✅ Show that you value reading by letting your child see you reading

The Big Picture

We are proud of our commitment to building a strong reading culture at The Villa. We know that reading:

• Opens doors to academic success

• Fosters imagination and curiosity

• Builds confidence and independence

• Enriches emotional and social understanding

And we believe every child deserves the chance to discover the joy of getting lost in a good book.

So thank you for joining us on this journey. With your support at home, and our shared commitment to excellent reading teaching, we can ensure that all children at The Villa grow not only as readers—but as learners for life.

Let’s raise readers who don’t just read because they have to—but because they love to.