Schools and early years settings: the National Year of Reading 2026
Welcome to the official schools and early years setting offer for the National Year of Reading 2026 and the Go All In campaign. Our collective aim for 2026 - to reimagine reading and (re)engaging with reading in all its forms.
In 2026, we’re inviting the nation to Go All In and discover how reading print and digital novels, non-fiction and poetry, exploring comics, magazines and graphic novels, or listening to audiobooks can unlock more of what we love. Together, we’ll re-engage one of the most powerful tools for equity and opportunity: a lifelong love of reading.
The role of schools and early years settings
Teachers, librarians and all education practitioners - you are at the heart of children and young people’s reading experiences whether you are involved in early years, primary or secondary education and whatever your subject focus.
Throughout 2026, join us for termly cycles of high-quality professional learning for you and memorable content for your pupils and students. Please note, termly activity will be released a term in advance.
Spring resources and toolkit
Kickstart your school and settings reading journey with our starter toolkit which is packed with everything you need to inspire your pupils and boost reading engagement. Discover key dates, essential information, and ready-to-use assets to help you plan effectively.
Each term throughout 2026, we’ll release fresh resources aligned with our theme for that term. Spring term resources are available now, explore them today!
How to take part in the offer?
Find new ways to embed reading for pleasure into your core language, practice and leadership priorities through a flexible programme of tools, resources, activities and events. There are two options to get involved:
Option 1: 'Go All In' Learning Management System for free
If you're a whole school or setting, this is the easiest way to get involved with everything you need for the year in one place. How it works:
- Nominate a colleague to be your National Year of Reading representative and register with their details to our learning management system for free.
- The representative will be added to your chosen phase pathway where your whole school or setting will follow a guided journey of the offer each term.
- You'll have access to easy registration for events, download resources and recordings of events and webinars. You can also take part in a participatory award with prizes!
Please note, signing up does not mean you are required to take part in everything, you can still choose which elements you'd like to be involved with.
Option 2: Spring term 2026 individual activity sign-up
If you are not a whole school or setting, or do not want to take part in the participatory award, you can sign up to individual events and download resources for the term below.
January
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Download your National Year of Reading calendar and briefing presentation to ensure your school or setting is ready for 2026.Download toolkit and spring resources
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19 January 2026. The first instalment in a series of twice-termly primary professional development webinars as part of the National Year of Reading 2026.Sign up
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20 January 2026. The first instalment in a series of termly early years settings professional development webinars as part of the National Year of Reading 2026.Sign up
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Register by 31 January. Bring out your readers and let them shine... it's time to book into the Senior National Reading Champions Quiz 2026.Sign up
February
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2 to 8 February 2026. Discover our resources and schedule of events this February to mark this year's National Storytelling Week.Explore more
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11 February 2026. Our second instalment in a series of twice-termly primary professional development webinars as part of the National Year of Reading 2026.Sign up
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First webinar is 3 February 2026. Join our series of secondary webinars to mark the National Year of Reading 2026 where we explore routes into reading for young people.Sign up
March
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First webinar is 3 February 2026. Join our series of secondary webinars to mark the National Year of Reading 2026 where we explore routes into reading for young people.Released in March 2026
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Practitioner guidance and a parent booklet to help make the most of storytelling through everyday momentsDownload resource
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Join our FREE quiz at 9.30am on World Book Day, Thursday 5 March 2026.Sign up
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10 March 2026. Enhance your literacy provision with TeachBrief Live, a webinar for primary literacy leads to empower whole school impact.Sign up
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Join us on Friday 13 March 2026, during the National Year of Reading, to explore how we can find routes into reading and validate teenage reading experiences.Explore more
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20 March 2026. We’re reimagining what reading can look like — and who it can reach. Experience a dynamic, future-focused day at our flagship primary conference.Explore more
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Join us on Friday 20 March 2026, during the National Year of Reading, to explore how we can find routes into reading and validate teenage reading experiences.Explore more
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27 March 2026. At our annual Early Words Matter conference, we’ll take a research lens to the role of homes, early years and community settings, illuminating new chances to...Explore more
What to expect each term in 2026
A core programme of activity will delivered by the National Literacy Trust with complementary projects and offers from key partners. Termly activity will be released a term in advanced. Throughout 2026, there will be a termly cycle of:
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Go All In Together Events
Live and recorded events every half-term featuring exciting names to celebrate literacy and reading, together across the nation.
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Professional development support
Webinars, resources and toolkits across Early Years Settings, Primary and Secondary.
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In-person events
Phase specific national conferences and local events across the UK to build a movement.
More content
Our education offer for the National Year of Reading will develop and deepen throughout the year, with three distinct focuses aligned to the three terms in 2026:
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Spring term 2026: The Room
Helping teachers and practitioners understand best practice in developing a reading for pleasure culture with their children and young people.
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Summer term 2026: The Setting
Equipping teachers, practitioners and leaders to build a lasting culture of reading for pleasure across your setting or school.
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Autumn term 2026: The Community
Empowering schools and settings to become centres of reading in their communities, working with parents and families and crucially local public libraries.
