How Cambridge School of Bucharest creates a culture of reading and sets children up for success
Research consistently supports the importance of reading for pleasure. Evidence reviewed by the UK’s Department for Education identifies positive associations with reading attainment, vocabulary, general knowledge, confidence and wider personal development. International research from the OECD has also found a strong relationship between enjoyment of reading and reading performance.
7 September 2026
In a 2019 report, Ofsted emphasised the crucial role of reading in enabling children to access the whole curriculum, and its continued importance throughout their school career. As the report explains, “A good place to start is reading to them frequently, introducing new vocabulary and meaning within contexts that stimulate their thinking.” Reading supports learning across every subject. It enables students to understand information, communicate their ideas and engage with increasingly complex concepts. A confident reader is better equipped not only in English, but also to analyse a historical source, understand a scientific explanation or solve a mathematical problem. Its value also extends beyond academic attainment. Books introduce children to unfamiliar places, cultures, experiences and perspectives. Fiction develops imagination and empathy, while non-fiction encourages children to pursue their interests and deepen their knowledge of the world. Helping children become confident readers is therefore about more than teaching them to decode words. Schools must also encourage them to choose books independently, discuss what they have read and see reading as an enjoyable part of everyday life. At Cambridge School of Bucharest (CSB), this begins with strong foundations and continues through a school-wide culture in which books are accessible, reading is celebrated and students are encouraged to develop their own interests. 
Reading across the curriculum At CSB, reading is an important part of learning across the Primary curriculum. Through a cross-curricular approach, students use their reading skills to explore topics in science, history, geography and other subjects, helping them make connections and build a broader understanding of the world. Regular reading also introduces children to new vocabulary, ideas and information, giving them the confidence to engage with unfamiliar topics. Within CSB’s international and multilingual community, reading in both English and home languages further supports language development, communication and a strong sense of cultural identity. As students move into Secondary, reading remains central to their learning. They encounter more specialised vocabulary, complex ideas and a wider range of texts across every subject. Students may be asked to analyse literature, interpret historical evidence, evaluate sources or understand detailed scientific arguments. These skills become increasingly important as students prepare for IGCSE examinations and later choose between A Levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Both pathways require students to read independently, engage critically with information and communicate well-supported ideas. Reading beyond the curriculum also helps students explore their interests and develop the intellectual curiosity valued by leading universities. Whether they choose a novel, biography, journal article or work of non-fiction, wider reading encourages them to question, reflect and form their own opinions. By continuing to promote reading throughout Secondary, CSB helps students develop the independence, knowledge and confidence needed for examinations, university and life beyond school. 
Find out more about Cambridge School of Bucharest. ¹ OECD, Do Students Today Read for Pleasure? (2011):
https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/2011/09/do-students-today-read-for-pleasure_g17a20a5.html ² Ofsted, School Inspection Update: Special Edition (January 2019): https://dera.ioe.ac.uk/id/eprint/32738/1/School_inspection_update_-_special_edition_January_2019.pdf
Building strong foundations
Children develop the foundations of reading through stories, songs, rhymes and conversations. At CSB, phonics is introduced in Nursery and continues through to Year 2, helping children recognise letters and sounds, blend words and build fluency. Alongside phonics, teachers read aloud and discuss stories to develop vocabulary, comprehension and curiosity. As children gain confidence, they progress from learning to read, to reading to learn, opening access to knowledge across the curriculum.Encouraging independent readers
Weekly library visits give students the freedom to explore different authors, genres and subjects, supported by teachers who help them choose books that are both enjoyable and appropriately challenging. Alongside weekly reading targets, this combination of choice and guidance helps children establish positive habits, broaden their interests and become confident, independent readers. Reading brings students together through shared stories, classroom discussions and recommendations from teachers and friends. Reading aloud introduces children to new vocabulary and ideas, while conversations about books encourage them to express their opinions, consider different perspectives and connect with others.Celebrating books throughout the school
World Book Day is celebrated nationally across the world. At CSB, we extend this into World Book Week: a full week celebrating books and literature, with daily activities designed to inspire a love of reading among students aged 3 to 18. Book swaps, review competitions, social media challenges, bookmark design and guest author visits encourage students to discover new books and engage with literature creatively. The week concludes with a character dress-up day and a whole-school Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) session, bringing the entire CSB community together through reading.Working in partnership with families
Children often model the behaviour they see at home. CSB encourages parents to read in front of their children, share stories and talk about books together. Parent webinars and workshops, including sessions with guest speakers, offer practical guidance on building positive reading habits. During World Book Week, parents are also invited to take part in challenges, extending the celebration across the whole CSB community.A foundation for future success
Reading gives children access to the curriculum and helps them become informed, articulate and independent thinkers. The knowledge, vocabulary and critical-thinking skills developed through regular reading also support stronger examination outcomes in Secondary, whether students follow the A Level or International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme pathway. At Cambridge School of Bucharest, reading is treated as both an essential academic skill and a source of lifelong enjoyment. Through early phonics, regular access to books, weekly library visits, shared reading experiences, school-wide celebrations and close partnerships with families, students develop the foundations they need to succeed. A child who learns to love reading leaves school with more than strong literacy skills. They gain a lasting source of knowledge, imagination and opportunity that can continue to enrich their life long after their formal education has ended.https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/2011/09/do-students-today-read-for-pleasure_g17a20a5.html ² Ofsted, School Inspection Update: Special Edition (January 2019): https://dera.ioe.ac.uk/id/eprint/32738/1/School_inspection_update_-_special_edition_January_2019.pdf
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