At Cambridge School of Bucharest, we understand that literacy is the foundation of confident, successful learners and lifelong learners alike. From the first days in EYFS to the transition into upper primary, we prioritise literacy because strong reading skills unlock every other area of academic achievement. Here’s why reading matters, and how we bring it to life for our students and community.
Phonics in EYFS and KS1: The Bedrock of Reading Confidence
One of the most powerful tools in early literacy is a robust phonics programme. Phonics teaches children the systematic relationship between letters and sounds so they can decode unfamiliar words independently. High-quality phonics instruction helps nearly all children learn to read new words fluently and confidently, a skill that is essential before they can fully engage with wider reading comprehension and enjoy literature for pleasure.
At CSB, our EYFS and Key Stage 1 learners (ages 3 to 7) participate in daily phonics lessons where they practise sounds, blend words, and apply their learning in real reading contexts. This structured yet engaging approach helps students build accuracy and confidence early on, setting them up for success as readers who can access all areas of the curriculum.
Reading for Pleasure vs Reading for Progress: Creating the Magic
While phonics gets children reading, reading for pleasure keeps them engaged. Research consistently shows that children who read for enjoyment develop stronger cognitive skills and wider vocabularies than their peers who read less often. Enjoyable reading has been linked with positive brain development and better thinking skills, beyond textbook learning.
Our school celebrates reading not just as an academic endeavour but as something joyful and inspiring. We cultivate environments where books are treasured, stories are celebrated, and children choose what they read as well as what they have to read. Teachers, our school librarian, and families work together to ensure reading is associated with excitement and discovery.
How Strong Literacy Underpins Success Across All Subjects
Literacy isn’t confined to English lessons. It underpins success in math’s, science, humanities and beyond. A child’s ability to read, understand and interpret information affects every aspect of their education. Strong readers can access complex texts, understand problem-solving instructions, and articulate ideas clearly, all skills that contribute to higher academic performance.
Children who enter school with well-developed language and reading skills are significantly more likely to reach expected standards in both literacy and numeracy later on. For example, children who struggle with language by age five are far more likely to fall behind in English and math’s by age 11. This highlights why early reading support, and the strong reading culture we nurture matters so much to long-term academic outcomes.
World Book Week: A Celebration of Reading Culture
At CSB, we bring our love of reading to life every year through World Book Week, a full week dedicated to the magic of books. During this special celebration:
- Students and staff dress up as their favourite book characters, bringing stories vividly to life in our classrooms and hallways.
- Special guest authors join us for assemblies that inspire curiosity, creativity and a deeper connection to the written word.
- We run house competitions like the Book Spine Challenge and Favourite Book Character as Food contests as fun, creative ways to engage children with literature.
- Our bookmark writing competition invites young writers to reflect on what reading means to them.
These activities transform reading from an individual skill into a shared celebration of imagination and community.
Partnering with Parents: Reading at Home Matters
We know that the home environment plays a crucial role in literacy development. Children who are read to regularly at home enter school with larger vocabularies and more advanced comprehension skills than those who are not. One study found that children who are read to daily can hear up to 1.4 million more words by age five compared with peers who are read to less frequently — contributing to what is sometimes called the “word gap.”
CSB actively supports parents by sharing strategies for reading at home, recommending good books for every age and encouraging families to make reading a joyful part of everyday life. When school and home work together, children reap the strongest benefits.
Real Results: Confident Readers, Excellent Outcomes
The impact of our literacy focus is tangible. CSB students regularly excel in their end-of-school examinations, with strong reading and comprehension skills giving them confidence across subject areas. Some of our young learners have even ventured into self-publishing their own writing, showcasing not only literacy proficiency but creativity, voice and courage as young authors.
While research doesn’t tie reading exclusively to a simple IQ boost, long-term studies like the Abecedarian Project demonstrate that early literacy engagement is associated with higher academic skills and modest increases in cognitive ability measured later in life.
A Lasting Legacy of Literacy
Reading is more than a school subject; it is a lifelong foundation. From daily phonics in EYFS and KS1 to a school-wide celebration during World Book Week, from classroom reading time to reading with family at home, CSB’s literacy programme builds confident learners who are equipped to succeed, not just in school, but in life.
Literacy opens doors — to understanding ourselves, our communities, the world and the future. At CSB, we don’t just teach children to read. We help them fall in love with reading.