Junior National Reading Champions Quiz
About our Junior National Reading Champions Quiz
Our brand new Junior National Reading Champions Quiz is part of the National Year of Reading 2026.
There will be 20 regional heats for the junior quiz which will be delivered across the whole of the UK. The winners of the heats will go on to compete in an amazing grand final event in London where one team will be crowned as National Reading Champions.
Who is the junior quiz for?
- Participating students must be aged between 9 to 11. This equates to year groups 4, 5 and 6 in England and Wales, 5, 6 and 7 in Northern Ireland and P5, P6 and P7 in Scotland.
- The quiz suits students who already read eagerly and widely; there is no set reading list.
- Questions are based only on fiction titles and include books for ages 5+ up to, and including, Upper Middle Grade titles.
“It's a really fun event, full of positive energy and a brilliant, broad selection of children's literature. To have the chance to be part of a team like this is great for social skills and self-esteem. We love it!”
Librarian, Widcombe Junior School
Junior Quiz: Key Information
If you're interested in taking part next year, read on to learn more about key information.
- Please sign up using the form below to register your interest in taking part
- Join our mailing list, and be sure that you've signed up on newsletter preferences for our regular Training and Resources newsletter, and/or ticked the box for occasional competitions updates
Regional heats information
- Registration will open in the Summer term 2026
- Regional heats take place from mid-September through to mid-November 2026
- When: Dates for your region will be clearly specified when booking opens
- Where: All regional heats take place online and are delivered via the MS Teams platform
- Entry cost: £25 per team
- 25 teams are allowed to compete in each heat
- Schools can book one or two teams into their regional heat
- Each team consists of four members
- Participants must be aged between 9 to 11 years
Grand final information:
- When: The grand final will take place in early/mid-December 2026
- Where: central London
Please note: a school information pack, practice questions, dates and times, as well as publicity material for use in school, will be made available when registration opens in May 2026.
“I liked how it felt like a big community and didn't push you to just focus on winning but also focus on having fun.”
Student, St Edwards RC CE school
Get in touch with your questions
If you need further advice, have any questions about the quizzes or need our support, then please email NRCQ@literacytrust.org.uk
We look forward to meeting your teams in next year's National Reading Champions Quiz!
Please sign up below and we will be in touch with more information in Spring 2026.
