ACADEMIC REVIEW OF THE YEAR
Reading for pleasure
Sometimes, a prospective student or their parents get in touch before that student has arrived at the school, to ask what academic work they can do over the summer to prepare for their studies at Sevenoaks School. In almost every case, the answer could be two words:‘ Just read.’ Students are often afraid that they might have covered different factual topics to others and therefore have gaps in their knowledge, but this is rarely a problem, and time spent reading is undoubtedly the best way to, in simple terms, become more clever.
Perhaps it might seem strange to be advocating for reading books at a time when we are using electronic devices with students more often and in more sophisticated ways, and in a year when Computer Science is both expanding and excelling in the school. However, I don’ t see this as a contradiction. There is a huge amount of academic research which tells us that reading strengthens the neural pathways in your brain and improves your memory. It also expands your knowledge of history, world cultures and people. It improves concentration, vocabulary and written communication. It can also reduce stress, improve your mental health and increase happiness. If there was a pill that did all these things, we would all be taking it.
6 ACADEMIC REVIEW