A quiet, purposeful pause in the school day is helping Rydal Penrhos pupils strengthen literacy, deepen focus, and rediscover the simple joy of a great book.

At Rydal Penrhos, our educational ethos is rooted in academic ambition and the character-forming values that sit behind it—curiosity, compassion, and a confident sense of purpose.

Guided by our commitment to Do All The Good We Can, we continually seek meaningful ways to help every learner flourish: not only in outcomes, but also in habits of mind that last well beyond the classroom.

Few habits are as powerful—or as transformative—as reading.

This week, Rydal Penrhos has introduced Drop Everything And Read (DEAR) for Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 pupils, giving reading a higher profile within the rhythm of the school day.

Beginning on Monday 12 January 2026, pupils were directed to read during registration, with tutors modelling positive reading behaviours wherever possible.

Across the week, DEAR continues during Period 1 each day, with 15 minutes set aside at the very start of the lesson so that pupils can settle quickly into focused, purposeful reading. Sometimes this reading is linked to the subject being taught; at other times, pupils return to their own chosen texts, immersing themselves in story, language, and ideas.

This initiative complements our wider literacy strategy, including Accelerated Reader, which helps us track progress, understand reading ages, and provide timely support or stretch where needed.

We are grateful to our alumni community, whose generosity has enriched our library with vibrant new stock—inviting pupils to explore, discover, and thrive.

For families considering Rydal Penrhos, our approach to literacy reflects a broader promise: calm scholarship, high expectations, and the individual attention that enables pupils to excel; both in terms of exam results, and all-around development.

If you would like to learn more, please complete our Enquiry Form to begin a conversation with our Admissions team: