For English, our levelled reading system continues to develop and improve. To make all the increasing number of levelled reading books more accessible for classes, some new library storage resources have been ordered, and this will make it easier for our pupils to quickly find and select new levelled books within their specific, current reading level bands, as required (and to easily transition to the next level band when ready). 

Some year groups have arranged educational visits specifically to link with our English curriculum core texts. Recently, our Year 5s visited the Cartoon Museum in central London, where they learnt about how cartoons and comics have been utilised over many decades for a variety of purposes, including biographical accounts. Our pupils have already been researching and summarising information to create biographies, which in turn will then be published on storyboard/comic templates. These will also include a wide range of grammatical features and will also allow us to recap some of the previous grammar content covered earlier in the academic year.

Please encourage your child/ children to continue taking library books out and for them to ensure that they have been scanned back into our school library when returning them. Please also encourage them to read daily at home, particularly with the levelled readers. 

The 2026 Summer Reading Challenge, themed "Read to the Beat!," is a free, annual initiative at Manor Park Library designed to keep children aged 3–12 engaged with reading during the holidays. Children read library books—or eBooks/audiobooks—to earn stickers, a medal, and a certificate upon completion. 

Key Details for 2026:

• Theme: "Read to the Beat!" (celebrating music and reading).

• Activities: The library hosts linked events, such as Book Detective hunts, workshops, and story sessions.

• Sign-up: Usually automatic for Newham primary school pupils, or free to join at the library branch.

• Location: Manor Park Library, 685-691 Romford Rd, London E12 5AD.

• More information: https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/