This week, to celebrate Literacy Week, all of our students had the opportunity to visit Foyles Bookstore on Tottenham Court Road. While this was a trip some students were unsure about at first, it quickly became one of those experiences that proved you don’t always know what you enjoy until you’re given the chance to try something new.
In today’s digital era, visiting a bookstore is not something many young people regularly experience. Being surrounded by thousands of books helped students see reading in a new light and reminded them of the importance of literacy in personal development, imagination, and learning.
To make the visit engaging and interactive, students were set a challenge to explore the store and find different types of books, including the most expensive book, a book linked to a film, and a book that inspired them. Working in teams, pupils took photos with each book they discovered, making the task both competitive and collaborative while encouraging them to explore a wide range of genres.
Once the challenge was completed, students were given the opportunity to choose and purchase a book of their own. Each choice reflected their individual interests and personalities, highlighting that reading can be personal, meaningful, and enjoyable.
Overall, the visit was a fantastic success and a powerful reminder that exposure creates opportunity. We hope this experience inspires our students to continue reading, exploring new genres, and developing a lifelong love of learning.