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. Teachers and practitioners, this is your home throughout 2026 to sign up to activity.
Our aim for 2026: Help us shift the focus on reading
In 2026, we’re inviting the nation to Go All In and discover how reading in all its forms 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.
Why schools and early years settings matter
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 high-quality, research rooted professional learning for you as education professionals and exciting, memorable content for your pupils and students.
All-phase introduction webinar: 15 January
There are two ways schools and settings can take part in the National Year of Reading 2026 year-long activities. Join us in January with guest speaker, Teresa Cremin, to hear the vision behind the campaign, as well as practical information on what to expect, how to take part, and get ready to Go All In.
How will it work?
Take part in our events, download our resources and 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.
Option 1: 'Go All In' structured pathway
Go All In and join our online learning management system where you will follow a guided journey of the programme each term, take part in a participatory award, and have the chance to win prizes. This is most appropriate for whole school or setting involvement.
Option 2: Flexible dip in and out!
We know the pressures of education require flexibility, so you can also choose to dip into the offer each term by signing up to single events and webinars, and downloading the resources via the activity tiles further down this page. This is most appropriate for an individual teacher or practitioner involvement.
Download the starter toolkit
To help you plan 2026, we've created a handy starter toolkit. It includes a full calendar view of Spring term events and activities, and a briefing presentation to prep colleagues on the National Year of Reading.
Sign up for option 1: 'Go All In' as a whole school or setting
- Nominate a colleague to be your National Year of Reading representative and register to our Learning Management System with their details.
- The representative will be added to your chosen phase pathway where your school or setting will follow a guided journey of the offer each term, take part in a participatory award and have the chance to win prizes.
- You will have: exclusive access to recordings of events, easy sign-up, and the option to upload case studies.
- The chosen representative will be notified of the platform opening in January.
Option 2: Spring Term 2026 individual activity sign-up
If you're choosing the flexible option, sign up to your choice of activities and events below. There will be a full launch toolkit and resource drop available from Thursday 15 January 2026.
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 - start planning now!Download toolkit
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Attend our all-phase launch webinar for the National Year of Reading 2026 featuring keynote speaker Professor Teresa Cremin setting out her vision for inspiring life-long...Sign up
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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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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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Bring out your readers and let them shine... it's time to book into the Senior National Reading Champions Quiz 2026Sign up
February
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Discover our resources and schedule of events this February to mark this year's National Storytelling Week.Explore more
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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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Join us for our exclusive National Year of Reading events in March to explore how we can find routes into reading and validate teenage reading experiences.Sign up
March
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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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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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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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At our second Early Words Matter conference, we’ll take a research lens to the role of homes, early years and community settings, illuminating new chances to cultivate...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. 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.
