Why Reading for Pleasure Matters at Les Landes

At Les Landes, we believe that reading for pleasure is a fundamental entitlement for every child. It sits at the heart of our commitment to children’s wellbeing, achievement and lifelong learning, and directly supports the Children, Young People, Education and Skills (CYPES) outcomes for Jersey.

The CYPES Children, Young People and Families Plan identifies that children should learn and achieve, feel safe and supported, and develop confidence, resilience and positive wellbeing. Reading for pleasure plays a vital role in achieving these outcomes. When children read regularly for enjoyment, they develop stronger literacy skills, wider vocabulary and better comprehension, supporting success across the curriculum. Just as importantly, reading provides comfort, escape and enjoyment, helping children to regulate emotions and feel calm and connected.

Evidence highlighted in the Reading Agency Local Authority Toolkit shows that reading for pleasure is one of the most effective ways to improve educational outcomes while reducing inequality, particularly for children who may not experience shared reading at home. It supports both academic achievement and emotional wellbeing, making it a powerful and inclusive approach.

Our practice is informed by the work of Theresa Cremin, whose research demonstrates that children are more likely to become confident, motivated readers when reading is:

• social, with opportunities to talk about books

• modelled by adults who share their own reading lives

• based on choice, access and inclusion

• separate from constant assessment, allowing reading to be joyful

Through reading for pleasure, children:

• develop positive reading identities, seeing themselves as learners who can achieve

• build empathy and understanding, supporting respectful relationships and community cohesion

• strengthen language, imagination and curiosity, enriching their cultural capital

• experience improved wellbeing and self-confidence, aligning with CYPES priorities

We are committed to creating a reading culture where every child:

• has regular access to high-quality, diverse texts

• is encouraged to choose what they read and share their views

• experiences reading as a source of enjoyment, connection and success

By protecting time for reading for pleasure and working in partnership with families, we support the CYPES ambition that all children in Jersey can learn, achieve and thrive, now and in the future.