Reading and Academic Progress

Supporting Academic Progress through Reading

At Nottingham Girls’ Nursery, Infant and Junior School, reading is at the heart of academic success from the day your daughter starts with us. Our literary-rich environment nurtures a love for books from the earliest years, ensuring that every girl benefits from the power of reading to enhance their learning across all subjects.

story-reading — Mrs Fowler, Head of the Junior school, reads a story to two of our Reception girls

A Literary-Rich Environment

From songs, poetry, and rhymes to engaging stories, our girls are immersed in language from the very beginning. Our beautiful library plays a central role in this, as do visits to the new City Library, broadening the girls’ exposure to diverse literature. Similarly, author visits from writers of a wide range of genres pique our girls’ interests and broaden their horizons. Reading at NGHS is not just an activity—it is an adventure where books open doors to new worlds, ideas and perspectives.

year-6-students — A group of our Year 6 girls proudly display their copies of the young adult fantasy novel “In the Shadow of the Wolf Queen” alongside the author Kiran Millwood Hargrave.

Individualised Support for Readers

We believe that confidence comes from practice and guidance. Every child reads aloud to a teacher more than once a week, allowing them to track her progress and provide targeted support. This one-on-one attention ensures that teachers understand each girl’s strengths and next steps in their journey.

Strong Foundations: Phonics and Early Support

In our youngest classes, daily phonics sessions form the foundation for learning to read. Reception students benefit from daily book changes, ensuring variety. Additionally, Year 5 students act as reading buddies for Nursery children, fostering a love of this activity from an early age.

students-reading — A Year 6 student helps a Year 1 student with her reading by pointing to a page in the book she is reading.

Engaging The Parents

Parental involvement is key to sustained success. Our reading workshops equip parents with strategies to support their child’s reading at home, strengthening the connection between school and home learning.

Library and Classroom Reading Culture

Each week, our girls participate in library lessons, reading as part of a group with a teacher, reinforcing comprehension skills and encouraging discussion. Our expert librarians guide students toward different genres and new authors, expanding their repertoire. Our library remains open throughout the school day, providing a welcoming space for independent exploration.

Integrating Reading Across the Curriculum

Reading is embedded in every subject area, ensuring that students develop strong literacy skills to support their academic progress. Whether tackling a challenging maths problem or engaging with historical texts, reading comprehension is essential for success. Topic book boxes from the School Library Service are delivered every half-term, refreshing our classroom resources and inspiring curiosity.

junior-school-students — Two of our Junior girls proudly hold up copies of a magazine called “the Second World War”.

A Creative Approach to Reading Comprehension

Beyond written comprehension exercises, students engage with reading through discussion, debate, and quizzes. Year 5 students, for example, participate in a weekly Kahoot quiz based on their class novel, reinforcing their understanding in an interactive and enjoyable way.

A Lifelong Adventure

At NGHS, reading is not a race through a prescribed scheme—it is a lifelong journey. Students re-read books for enjoyment, recommend their favourites to peers, and discover new perspectives with every page they turn. Book clubs provide additional opportunities for literary discussion and exploration.

junior-school-girls — Seven of our Junior girls hold up copies of their favourite books that they are reading in the Junior school library.

Celebrating Reading

Our commitment to fostering a love for books extends to special events like our annual Book Week in March. More than just a one-day celebration, this week includes themed activities and dress-up days, bringing literature to life and reinforcing the joy of reading. And as we celebrate our 150th anniversary this year, we are weaving historical elements into our reading activities. Year 5 are reading books that would have been read during the Second World War by children who had to be evacuated. These timeless classics are not only great stories, but the girls are also learning a lot about the history of the period.

At Nottingham Girls’ High School, reading is more than an academic skill—it is a gateway to lifelong learning, creativity, and success. Through our carefully designed programmes and an unwavering commitment to literacy, we ensure that every girl has the tools to thrive.

reception-student-reading-a-book — One of our reception students sits on a rug engrossed in the Topsy and Tim book she is reading

You can also find out more about our wonderful libraries by watching our interview with our School Librarians, Mrs Whitty and Mrs Taylor, below: