The National Year of Reading

We are thrilled to share that 2026 has been officially announced as the National Year of Reading, a celebration of the joy, power, and importance of reading for all. This initiative recognises reading as a cornerstone of learning and wellbeing and encourages schools, communities, and families to inspire a love of reading in children and young people.

What is the National Year of Reading?
The year-long campaign aims to:

• Celebrate reading for pleasure in schools and at home.

• Support children and young people to develop lifelong reading habits.

• Highlight innovative ways to engage learners with books, stories, and digital reading.

• Encourage collaboration between schools, libraries, and local communities.

Why it matters for your school
Reading is more than just a skill—it’s a gateway to curiosity, imagination, and academic success. By joining the National Year of Reading, schools have the opportunity to:

• Showcase their reading initiatives and achievements.

• Access a range of resources and guidance to enrich reading for pleasure.

• Engage parents, staff, and local partners in a shared reading culture.

• Inspire students across all age groups to explore new books and ideas.

How your school can get involved

• Promote reading challenges: Encourage students to set personal reading goals or participate in national reading campaigns.

• Celebrate authors and stories: Invite local authors, run book clubs, or host reading-themed events.

• Use available resources: Explore digital toolkits, lesson plans, and suggested book lists provided by the campaign.

• Share your success: Highlight your school’s reading activities on social media or through newsletters to inspire other schools.

For more details, ideas, and resources to support reading for pleasure in your school, visit the official National Year of Reading website .