Drop Everything and Read

On Monday 14 December, an initiative to encourage reading for pleasure in youngsters took place across the school. At exactly 11.00am, pens and pencils were downed and reading material was chosen, and the entire Shiplake cohort enjoyed an hour of reading. The event was not just for pupils; staff were actively encouraged to participate, modelling positive reading habits to pupils in an innovative attempt to inspire more reading outside lessons.

Reading material could take any format: a favourite fictional book, an online newspaper, travel writing, biography or graphic novels; providing the piece captured interest and imagination then it passed muster. Access to a wide selection of books from Shiplake’s comprehensive elibrary meant that choices were abundant, and pupils were allowed to read on laptops, kindles and tablets, as well as more traditional paper books. The event, organised for Shiplake by Digital Librarian Miss Claire Knight, has already seen gaining popularity amongst other schools. Reading is an integral part of school careers and even growing up at large; stories you’re told when you’re younger can stay with you, feeding the imagination and shaping minds from such an early age. However, the popular pastime often takes a backseat in the daily hustle and bustle of life, and it was Miss Knight’s ambition to place an emphasis on this to celebrate the joy of reading, reminding the Shiplake community of the pleasure such a simple act can bring.

The event has taken on a worldwide significance and was originally coined by renowned author Beverley Cleary. Beverley’s idea that reading is pleasure, and not just something that ‘teachers make you do in school’, inspired her to create ‘Drop Everything and Read’, and the event has since seen a mass following of schools across the world.

Miss Knight said of the initiative that ‘it was to give pupils dedicated and special time in the day to read. Staff and pupils across the school were engaged really well in the event. It was lovely to see pupils quietly reading and enjoying their time.’