Celebrating International Literacy Day: How we inspire a love of reading

This International Literacy Day, ACS Cobham is celebrating the role that reading, writing and language play in preparing young people for their future, helping them think creatively, communicate confidently and understand perspectives beyond their own.

From meeting published authors and discovering new books to developing literacy across different languages, reading is woven into life at ACS Cobham. This year, students will also have new opportunities to explore the written word, both in school and as part of the wider Cobham community.

Joining Cobham’s first Literary Festival

Just days after International Literacy Day on 8 September, Cobham will host its inaugural Cobham Literary Festival from 11 to 13 September 2026.

The festival brings together authors, readers and the local community for a weekend of events in and around Cobham. The programme ranges from Poetry in the Pub to events at the historic St Andrew’s Church and a horticultural panel in the surroundings of Painshill Park.

ACS Cobham is delighted to be taking part by welcoming award-winning author Luan Goldie to school to work with our Grade 5 students.

Many of the students will already know Luan’s work, having read Skylar and the K-Pop Headteacher as part of their summer reading. As both an author and teacher, Luan will bring a valuable perspective to the classroom, leading a writing workshop that will give students the chance to develop their own ideas and explore the craft of storytelling.

Older ACS Cobham students will also have an opportunity to get involved. On Saturday 12 September, from 5:30 to 7:00pm, they have been invited to The Cobham Bookshop for a Young Adults Social hosted by local YA author K.L. Kettle and the bookshop team.

Students can bring along their current read, talk about the books they love and swap recommendations with other young readers. The Juice Smith will also be providing free juice for the evening.

A new adventure through the letterbox

This year also sees the launch of a new ACS Cobham initiative designed to bring a little more curiosity and creativity into Middle School life.

Created by Lyndsey Stuttard, Digital Teaching & Learning Specialist, the Monthly Mailer gives students the opportunity to sign up through PowerSchool to receive a new physical activity pack each month.

Across ten themed editions, students will encounter a completely different adventure each time. One month could involve cracking secret codes, while another might take them into a Gothic mystery, deep space or the world of mythical creatures. Other editions will invite students to experiment with motion or explore different parts of the world.

Each pack includes a themed magazine, sticker, puzzles and games, book recommendations and a surprise 3D print.

There is a simple idea behind it: give students something to look forward to, something to hold and something to share.

The Monthly Mailer encourages students to turn pages, solve puzzles, sketch ideas, write responses and talk about their discoveries with friends. Shared challenges and activities will also help students connect with other Monthly Mailer members throughout the year.

As Lyndsey explains:

“In a world where so much of what our young people receive disappears onto a screen, the Monthly Mailer is intentionally different. No notifications. No scrolling. No charging required. Just curiosity, imagination and a new adventure waiting to be opened.”

Choosing a physical format is particularly relevant at a time when young people are growing up in an increasingly digital and AI-influenced world. Preparing students for that future is not simply about giving them access to technology. It is also about developing curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, communication and the confidence to engage with technology thoughtfully.

Developing confident, independent readers

The Monthly Mailer complements a broader commitment to literacy across ACS Cobham.

Alongside the core curriculum, our independent reading programme gives students opportunities to explore different authors, subjects and genres. Students are encouraged to make their own choices, discover what interests them and gradually develop the habits of confident, independent readers.

These experiences support academic learning, but their value extends beyond the classroom. Reading widely helps students encounter unfamiliar ideas, consider different viewpoints, develop their vocabulary and learn to express increasingly complex ideas of their own.

These are skills that will serve students as they progress through school, university and into their future lives and careers.

Literacy in many languages

In an international community like ACS Cobham, celebrating literacy also means celebrating the many languages spoken by our students and families.

Our Home Language Enrichment programme helps students maintain and develop literacy in around 20 languages through free extracurricular classes.

Continuing to develop a home language can help students retain an important connection with family, culture and identity. It also enriches our school community, where different languages, cultures and perspectives are part of students’ everyday experience.

This international environment gives students opportunities to learn alongside people whose experiences may be very different from their own. Through books, languages and conversations, they are encouraged to look beyond what they already know and develop the confidence to engage with a wider world.

Ready for what comes next

International Literacy Day is a timely reminder that literacy continues to evolve, but its importance remains constant.

For students at ACS Cobham, being a strong reader and communicator is part of being ready for what comes next. It supports academic achievement and future university study, opens doors to other cultures and perspectives, and develops human skills such as imagination, judgement and critical thinking that will remain important as the workplace changes.

From an author workshop and a community literary festival to a mysterious package arriving each month, there are many ways to encourage a young person to read, write, question and create.

This September, we are celebrating all of them, and the curiosity that keeps our students turning the page.