Writing for pleasure

The downward trend in the number of children and young people writing for pleasure in the UK continues into 2025, according to our latest research.

Our latest report, supported by Twinkl, which explores children and young people’s writing enjoyment in their free time paints a troubling picture of declining enjoyment, motivation and habits, with concerning long-term implications for learning and literacy outcomes.

However, building on 15 years of research and practice, we are committed to championing writing for pleasure as a vital part of every child and young person’s development, wellbeing, and as a means to support them to engage with a digital-first world.

READ OUR RESEARCH IN FULL

What is writing for pleasure?

Writing for pleasure can be defined as the act of writing because of a person’s own choice and volition as a means of satisfaction. It could be argued that there are two types of pleasure in writing. Namely, writing as pleasure (enjoyment) and writing for pleasure (satisfaction).

Our 2025 report focuses on the moment when writing becomes far more than academic achievement, test-based attainment and skill, and can instead be a deeply personal pursuit. Writing for pleasure therefore is an expressive act tied to creativity, emotional wellbeing and identity.

Why is it important?

When children enjoy writing and write daily in their free time, there are tangible benefits to their writing skills, critical thinking skills, confidence, creativity, and wellbeing.

However…

… a trend that has remained consistent over 15 years is that pupils eligible for free school meals (FSM) are consistently more likely to enjoy writing in their free time than their peers not receiving FSM (31.1% vs 25%).

These young writers, often assumed to be less engaged, are more likely to write daily, in varied formats, and with a strong sense of ownership and other motivating factors.

These motivators could serve as vital entry points to rekindle writing enthusiasm, particularly among younger children, who remain more open to re-engagement than teens, more of whom are motivated by writing that is connected to their individual interests, aspirations and life experiences.

Give children choice

Choice in the format of writing plays such an important role.

While paper-based writing remains the most common format, less enthusiastic writers showed a preference for digital writing often through formats connected to music, media, and personal communication (such as song lyrics, reviews, scripts).

This underscores the importance of recognising diverse writing formats in any effort to reignite interest.

As evidenced by our recent reading for pleasure research, we need to meet children and young people where they are at and provide freedom for them to explore writing styles and formats in order to ignite new passions for self-expression and creative discovery.

How we are helping with this?

Our flagship Young Writers programme continues its crucial mission to embed writing for pleasure practices, working with schools, businesses, and charities as part of a multi-sector approach to shift perspectives on writing. You can read our report which explores how our programmatic approach supports writing for enjoyment.

We are urging government to consider the significance of writing for pleasure as part of its Writing Framework and prioritising writing for pleasure in the implementation of Curriculum and Assessment reforms.