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Reading for pleasure resources for schools

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Our latest Reading for pleasure research

Our latest research, which explores children and young people’s reading for pleasure and daily reading habits in 2026, shows a slight uplift compared with 2025, but levels remain concerningly low overall.

The report has been taken from the results of 125,375 children and young people in the UK aged 5 to 18 who completed our Annual Literacy Survey.

READ OUR 2026 RESEARCH REPORT IN FULL

Together, we can continue to grow a reading for pleasure culture

Evaluation shows that the schools that participated in our evidence-based reading programmes over the last academic year have seen success. Children and young people who were the least engaged with reading at the start of the programme saw their reading confidence (84%), enjoyment (77%) and frequency (66%) increase significantly.

Insights from the report also show what motivates children and young people to read. These are valuable key motivators which show hope for how to re-engage those with the lowest levels of reading enjoyment.

Our research also indicates that reading must also be relevant, meaningful and supported by people like teachers and parents for it to become strongly embedded as a habit in their lives. In fact, more than half said that their parents encouraged them to read (54.8%), while two-thirds said their teachers encouraged them to read (65.8%).

Together, we are empowering children and young people to thrive.

What's happening for the National Year of Reading?

Go All In during 2026 with free resources, classroom activities and exciting events. Discover practical ways to introduce different formats including audiobooks, comics, non-fiction and song lyrics into your practice to (re)ignite a love of reading.

Sign up to termly events
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Reading for pleasure resources, programmes and training opportunities

Create a culture of reading for pleasure in your school

We are committed to our continued support of teachers and practitioners in pursuit of our collective goal to empower all children with the literacy skills they need to thrive.

Discover high-quality reading for pleasure resources, expert-led CPD and training opportunities, and exciting ways primary schools can transform your libraries and reading spaces as we commit to cultivating children and young people's love of reading.

Primary

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Multimodal reading

Download the first paper in our Future of Literacy series which explores how we must redefine what it means to be a reader in the digital, audio and visual age.

Find out more about the Future of Literacy project
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Secondary

Discover our full secondary offer

Related research reports

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More activity ideas and guidance

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