Why Reading Still Matters More Than Ever
- Partner Content
- 20 hours ago
- 2 min read
by Charlie Minogue, Headmaster - Fettes Preparatory School
In a world of fast content and constant distraction, the quiet act of reading may seem old-fashioned. It is anything but. As Headmaster of Fettes Prep, I believe reading is the single most powerful foundation we can give a child. It is not simply about decoding words on a page. It is about developing attention, empathy and resilience.
When a child immerses themselves in a book – whether travelling through Narnia in the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, or navigating courage and friendship in stories by Roald Dahl – they are doing far more than following a plot. They are building vocabulary, strengthening comprehension and expanding their emotional intelligence. An immersion into the experience of characters shapes young minds in ways that are difficult to measure but are none-the-less essential. The emotional connection felt shapes behaviour and attitudes, and the valuable skill of empathy is the result.
In our classrooms, reading underpins everything. From early phonics for our 5-year-olds in The Hive, to senior prep scholarship preparation at age 13, literacy is the thread that connects academic excellence with character development. At Fettes Prep, we are incredibly lucky to have not one, but two libraries which are at the heart of our daily school life. Both places are vibrant learning hubs for the youngest members in pre-prep to supporting everything from quiet reading and research to lively book discussions and author projects in the prep school.
Our libraries are places of nurture and support. It is essential that all children feel a connection to books and our Support for Learning department works closely with the librarian to collate books suitable for all kinds of learners. Dyslexia-friendly sections and a wide-variety of material ensure that there is something for everyone. Given the importance of reading to cognitive development, it is imperative that all children feel this is a space that is relevant to them, something I feel we achieve. Libraries are also places of quiet sanctuary where children can switch off and re-charge social batteries. We all need this sometimes, even as adults, and libraries play a crucial role in giving children the space and peace they sometimes need in the school day.
When we celebrate World Book Day in March, it is a joyful celebration at Fettes Prep – filled with costumes, imagination and laughter. Yet behind the celebration sits something more serious; our responsibility to nurture children between the ages of 5 to 13 to think critically, communicate clearly and engage thoughtfully with the world around them.
A love of reading is not an optional extra in a prep school education. It is the bedrock.
And when nurtured early, it shapes futures. At Fettes, we call it Prep for Life.
Charlie Minogue
Headmaster, Fettes Preparatory School
