In the Spring 2015 edition of "The School Librarian", Professor Alice Sullivan, University College London Institute of Education, summarises the benefits of reading for pleasure based on her research with colleague Matt Brown using the 1970 British Cohort Study. Professor Sullivan is one of the keynote speakers on this topic at the International Research Methods Summer School in Mary Immaculate College in June 2015.
Professor Alice Sullivan and colleague Matt Brown are publishing a research paper this year, entitled "Reading for pleasure and attainment in vocabulary and mathematics", in the British Educational Research Journal. Professor Sullivan is one of the keynote speakers on this topic at the forthcoming International Research Methods Summer School, 5th - 7th June, in Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick.
In the Spring 2015 edition of "The School Librarian", Professor Sullivan summarises her findings in the article "The Life-Long Benefits of reading for Pleasure". Professor Sullivan and her colleague Matt Brown used the data from the 1970 British Cohort Study. There are two papers - one addressing vocabulary development up to the age of 16 and the other looking at vocabulary growth from 16 to 42.
The role of reading in intellectual development up to age 16.
Bright students tend to read for pleasure more than their less bright peers. Does reading for pleasure increase the rate of learning? According to Sullivan's article in "The School Librarian" the authors discovered "that those who read books often at age 10 and more than once a week at age 16 gained higher test results at age 16 than those who read less regularly".
The student who reads more was linked to "greater academic progress, both for vocabulary, spelling and mathematics." Importantly, by reading for pleasure, a student improves their intellectual capacity four times more than the difference if a parent has a degree, compared to having parents with no qualifications.
Reading for pleasure and vocabulary at 42
Sullivan and Brown in their second paper looked at language development once a student leaves school with the question "does reading still have a part to play in learning in adulthood?" According to the authors research "at age 16 the average vocabulary test score was 55%. By age 42, study members scored an average of 63% on the same test". What you read does matter - those who read classic fiction and contemporary literary fiction made the "greatest vocabulary gains".
In essence it is vital that parents, schools and libraries foster a love of reading in children and young people to ensure that they reach their full educational capacity.
Hugh congratulations to Stratford College Classics students who came 2nd and 3rd in the annual Ides of March Quiz in Blackrock College on Tuesday 28th April. Students from schools all over Dublin and further afield participated. Stratford scored an Olympian 41/46 to take second place and 40/46 to take third place. Thank you to Ms. Donohoe and Ms McGill for coordinating this great event.
Read more →
Delia Donohoe has been appointed as Permanent Deputy Principal of Stratford College, following her tenure as Acting Deputy Principal since August 2023. This milestone marks her 21st year as a dedicated member of the Stratford community, where she has made a lasting contribution both in the classroom and in leadership.
Speaking about her appointment Chair of the Board of Management Ms. Aoife Cassidy said: “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Delia as Deputy Principal; she has been a leader and teacher at Stratford College for more than 20 years. During this time, she has served in an acting capacity as Deputy Principal, including over the last three years. She has strong leadership skills and an unwavering commitment and dedication to our school community. We have every confidence that she will continue to lead with the same energy, warmth and dedication in the years ahead. We are delighted to formally confirm Delia’s appointment and wish her every success in the role going forward.
A brilliant afternoon for the 2026 incoming 1st years to meet each other and other Stratford students including our current 1st years, senior prefects & their year head Ms. Finnegan. Something for everyone to enjoy!
Read more →
