Schools and early years settings: the National Year of Reading 2026
Welcome to the official schools and early years offer for the National Year of Reading 2026 and the Go All In campaign. Our aim is to reimagine reading and re-engage everyone with it in all its forms.
In 2026, we invite the nation to Go All In on the areas they love through novels, non-fiction, poetry, comics, magazines, graphic novels and audiobooks to rediscover the joy and power of reading as a tool for equity and opportunity.
The role of schools and early years settings
Teachers, librarians and education practitioners are central to shaping children and young people’s reading experiences across all stages and subjects.
Join us throughout 2026 for termly cycles of high-quality professional learning and engaging content for pupils and students.
Schools and settings can start their journey at any point throughout the year, find out how to below.
For any questions, email NYRschools@literacytrust.org.uk
How to take part in the offer?
Schools and settings can explore and take part in activity through our free Learning Management System, with everything for the year in one place. This will give you access to:
- A guided journey for your phase activity each term
- Brand-new resources each term
- Easy sign up to phase-specific activity
- Recordings of missed activity
- Badges, certificates and prizes
Whether you've been following the National Year of Reading from the start or this is your first proper look, there's a place for you here.
Already taking part? Login now
If your school or setting is already signed up to our free platform, use the link below to login and jump back into exploring your phase pathways and check on your progress.
Once logged in, don't forget to:
- Sign up to current term activity, you get the most out of activity by attending live
- Catch up on missed activity from the Spring and Summer Terms
- Fill out reflections to earn your badges and certificates
- Check out forums and partner areas
Just starting your journey? Sign up now
If you're school or setting is just getting started, it's not too late to join. Everything from the Spring and Summer Term is waiting for you on our platform to catch up on.
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 emailed with details on how to access the account within 24 hours.
- Start signing up to current term activity for your phase, and catch up on previous terms activity. You can also take part in a participatory award with prizes!
Not part of a school or setting? Sign up to individual activity below
If you are not a whole school or setting, you can sign up to individual events and download resources for the current term below. Webinars and events from previous terms are recorded and held on a playlist on the National Literacy Trust's YouTube channel to watch back.
Resources and starter toolkit
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Download your National Year of Reading termly calendars and phase‑specific resources that support the current termly theme. Plus, catch up on previous events and webinars.Download now
July (Summer Term)
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Take part in our Junior Quiz. Discover details on how to get involved...Book now
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06 July. Hear from leading experts, take part in engaging workshops, and gain practical approaches to developing a sustainable reading culture in your setting.Explore more
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09 July. Publishers Every Cherry and Barrington Stoke will share insights into books that support a wide range of readers, including those who may face barriers such as...Sign up
September (Autumn Term)
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Download your National Year of Reading termly calendars and phase‑specific resources that support the current termly theme. Plus, catch up on previous events and webinars.Download
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Join us on Thursday 24 September 2026, during the National Year of Reading, to explore how we can find routes into reading and validate teenage reading experiences.Sign up
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This conference will share approaches to cultivate and deepen conversations around ethnicity, race and intersectionality through children’s literature in libraries.Learn more
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29 Sept. Using relatable and inspiring strategies, this webinar invites practitioners to rethink what genuine partnership with parents looks like.Sign up
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This conference will share approaches to cultivate and deepen conversations around ethnicity, race and intersectionality through children’s literature in libraries.Learn more
October (Autumn Term)
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06 Oct. Parents, carers and families are vital partners in children’s education. In this webinar, we'll explore different approaches to building supportive...Sign up
November (Autumn Term)
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03 Nov. We’ll explore data from our 2026 research into children and young people's reading attitudes, with insights for educators supporting reading engagement.Sign up
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05 Nov. Explore the magic of poetry and how it can be used in Early Years settings. This webinar will focus on the vital role of poetry in nurturing children’s love of...Sign up
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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
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16 - 26 November. Reconstructing Reading is an online conference bringing international literacy leaders together to explore strategies that empower every reader - in ways...Learn more
December (Autumn Term)
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02 December. Explore how effective partnerships between schools, libraries and the community can foster young people's reading engagement.Sign up
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03 Dec. A special end of year moment for schools and settings to celebrate the dedication and impact of the year, while looking ahead on how we sustain momentum beyond 2026.Sign up
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.