The National Year of Reading 2026 is the biggest campaign in a generation designed to help more people (re)discover the joy of reading and make it part of their everyday lives.

To launch Mount Carmel's participation in the National Year of Reading, the school hosted their first ever literary festival in January.

Author talks and workshops took place along with an author book signing, quizzes, a book talk and a questionnaire over the three day festival which was organised by the English department and library staff.

Author Danny Rurlander spoke to pupils about his latest action, mystery and adventure book called 'Spylark'. He explained how he structures his stories and plots, how he creates the characters and the environment of the story. He then signed copies of his book in the school library to the many pupils who had purchased a copy.

Mount Carmel also welcomed Ruth Cockburn to speak during the Festival. Ruth ran a workshop for groups of pupils guiding them to write 'jibberish' poems about rubbish superheroes thinking up names for their superheroes, then writing 4 rhyming couplets. Ruth then recited their rhymes whilst playing a guitar!

We thank our visitors and all involved in the organisation for making this such a successful festival.

Read more about the National Year of Reading 2026 using this link https://goallin.org.uk/