Celebrating Literacy

At Mark Rutherford School, we believe that literacy should be celebrated as much as it is taught. Throughout the year, we host a variety of events that bring reading and writing to life for our students. Highlights include our Literary Festival celebrations, where students have access to a variety of writers throughout the week. We also run poetry competitions, creative writing showcases, and author visits that inspire students to explore their own voices and stories. Our writing showcases often occur during assemblies, celebrating positivity and literacy with the rest of the year group. Our Space for Learning is a central hub for these events, offering a welcoming space for book clubs, reading challenges, and quiet reflection.

We proudly showcase student work across the school and online—from thoughtful book reviews and imaginative short stories to powerful poems and persuasive essays. These pieces are displayed in classrooms, corridors, and on our website, giving students a platform to share their achievements and inspire others. To recognise and reward engagement, we run initiatives such as our ‘Reader Leaders’ and ‘Reading Recognition’ programmes, celebrating students who go above and beyond in their reading and writing. At the end of every half-term in Rewards Assemblies, students are recognised for what they have achieved in regards to their literary development.

By celebrating literacy in creative and inclusive ways, we aim to foster a school culture where every student feels confident, curious, and proud of their progress. We invite parents and carers to join us in these celebrations, whether by attending events, reading alongside their children, or simply sharing in the joy of a good book.