Monmouth schools are gearing up to fully engage with the National Year of Reading 2026, an initiative launched by the UK’s Department for Education. This collaborative effort involves institutions such as Haberdashers’ Monmouth School, Monmouth Comprehensive School, and the Monmouth Community Hub and Library. Local community organizations, including Empty SpaceCIC Living Windows and the U3A, are also participating in this extensive campaign to promote reading in various forms throughout the year.
A series of events is planned, featuring joint author visits, competitions, community sessions, storytelling activities, and exhibitions. Notable authors like M.G Leonard, Daniel Morden, Ben Kane, and Sion Tomos Owen are set to engage with students, enriching their reading experience.
Community Support and Engagement
Melvyn Roffe, Head of Haberdashers’ Monmouth School, expressed enthusiasm about the initiative, stating, “Reading is the gateway to so many incredible ideas, fascinating people, and exciting new worlds. We are delighted to be working with partners to celebrate the National Year of Reading in Monmouth and the surrounding area. I’m sure it will be a fantastic experience for our community.”
Similarly, Hugo Hutchison, Head of Monmouth Comprehensive School, emphasized the importance of reading for young people: “We are really excited to celebrate the National Year of Reading, 2026. We feel incredibly lucky to be partnering with other local schools and community groups, forging productive relationships and creating inspired shared experiences for our young people together.”
Students are eager to participate as well. Olive, a student at Haberdashers’ Monmouth School, shared her excitement about the upcoming events and author visits, believing it will encourage more people to read. Her classmate Dima added, “It’s great to see people being intrigued about reading and learning more.”
A Community-Centric Approach
The initiative has garnered support from various community leaders. Lydia Dowding, the Monmouth Library Lead, highlighted the campaign’s significance, remarking, “The National Year of Reading is an excellent opportunity to get Monmouth reading. By joining forces, we’re creating opportunities for young people to discover the joy of reading beyond the classroom and to connect with their local library as a lifelong resource.”
Helen Wragg, Chair of the Rolls Hall Strategy Group and Co-Director of Living Windows, noted that this initiative celebrates Monmouth as a significant center of education and learning. Averil MacDonald, Chair of Monmouth U3A, expressed the organization’s commitment to fostering a love of reading across generations, saying, “We look forward to bringing our experience, enthusiasm, and wisdom to support Monmouth’s Year of Reading initiatives with truly multigenerational engagement.”
As Monmouth schools and community organizations prepare for the National Year of Reading 2026, they aim to inspire a love of reading that transcends the classroom, making literature accessible and enjoyable for everyone involved.
