Fostering a love of learning is at the heart of everything we do. As part of this, we feel passionately about the importance of English and literacy in the broadest sense, whether that be reading and discussing books at school, 1:1 with a teacher, at home alone, or at home with a parent. Our school library is a source of great pride: constantly reviewed, updated, refreshed – we want to encourage the children to love books and to feel confident in navigating between fiction and non-fiction, to enjoy discussing titles with teachers and with one another, and to take the responsibility of borrowing and returning books.
We are also very proud of our carefully curated essential reading lists which are below.
Nursery to Reception Essential Reads (for adults to read to children)
Reception to Year 2 Essential Reads (for emerging readers)
Falkner House (Best before Year 7)
Take some ambition, kindled in 1954,
and add it to the pot.
Blend in discipline and stir vigorously.
Chop a block of values into three:
kindness, resilience and respect,
and sprinkle a bit on every pupil.
Add pupils and bring to the boil.
As the mixture bubbles,
put a sprig of culture,
a sprinkle of religion
and a sample of learning
into a bowl and beat together.
Pour into the pot.
Turn off the heat and give time to cool.
As soon as the mixture is cool,
garnish it with fun and happiness
and enjoy.
Note: Please respect all the pupils’ individuality, or some pupils will become mouldy.
Warning: Too little discipline will create a chaotic taste, whereas too much will result in a boring one.
This poem was written by a Year 6 boy in 2025, in the style of Benjamin Zephaniah’s “The British”