Reading for Pleasure
BookTrust
BookTrust is the UK’s largest children’s reading charity with a history that stretches back over 100 years. Each year we get millions of children reading, especially those from low-income families or vulnerable backgrounds, particularly in the early years.
Authors Abroard
We work with over 5000 schools in the UK to deliver the most inspiring Authors, Storytellers, Illustrators and Poets to children.
Fonetti
A Patented Read-Aloud App and School Portal to improve reading skills with Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) and Real-Time Feedback for Children in Schools and at Home
The Fonetti Read Aloud App
The National Read Aloud Challenge is a free, fun and engaging summer reading challenge that encourages children to read aloud more over the summer. Our aim is to enhance children’s love for reading by using technology as well as reducing the summer reading regression that inevitably occurs over the summer break.
This initiative involves using the award-winning Fonetti Read Aloud App, which offers a range of engaging stories and factual books. By participating in this challenge, children will build confidence in reading, develop speech and comprehension skills, and enhance vocabulary - all while having fun.
What’s in it for the children?
Throughout the challenge, the children will enjoy free access to the Fonetti in app library. They can earn certificates signed by our brand ambassador Clare Balding CBE, rank on the Challenge Leaderboard, and even bag amazing prizes.
What’s in it for the school?
During this challenge, children at your school will collaborate as a team to read as many books as possible. If your school is part of a MAT, you will also be able to compete against the other schools within your trust. By doing so, your school will have a chance to win a FREE trip to London for an awards ceremony! The event, hosted by Clare Balding CBE, invites two teachers and top-performing pupils from your school to attend. MAT schools also have the chance to win an award dedicated to their trust.
How do schools get involved?
You really don’t have to do much at all!
- Enrol your school via the simple form here and you will receive a personalised URL for your school.
- Promote the challenge to parents & carers, children and staff using the promotional resources provided on your unique school web page.
- Parents & carers at your school will sign up their children by following the personalised school URL or by scanning the QR code provided.
Enrol your school now and let's kick-start the summer reading season!
To find out more visit https://www.readaloudchallenge.co.uk/schools.
The Open University
We are The Open University's Reading for Pleasure Research and Practice Coalition. We believe that Reading for Pleasure is the right of every child.
Led by Professor Teresa Cremin, we are a team of leading international academic researchers, education professionals and teaching specialists.
We work with schools, MATs, teachers, librarians, authors, organisations, Universities, charities and student teachers to leverage Reading for Pleasure as a tool for social justice.
Further Open University Reading for Pleasure Resources
Reading for Pleasure Quality Mark
This exciting UKLA/OU Quality Mark recognises and rewards schools that have developed, embedded and enriched their Reading for Pleasure (RfP) culture and ethos.
What is the Reading for Pleasure Quality Mark?
This exciting UKLA/OU Quality Mark, now in its third year, recognises and rewards primary and secondary schools that have developed, embedded and enriched their Reading for Pleasure (RfP) culture and ethos with demonstrable impact on staff knowledge and practice, on parents and, most significantly, on young people’s recreational reading.
Achieving the UKLA/OU Quality Mark will position schools as centres of excellence for nurturing young readers who choose to read widely and frequently, within and beyond school. The QM is open to all secondary, primary, junior and infant schools in the UK.
Applying for and gaining the UKLA/OU Quality Mark is a supportive year-long process, enabling reflection, evaluation and the gathering of evidence of impact. English leaders will be mentored by an expert in reading for pleasure research and practice, who, through use of the RfP Audit Framework, will help schools examine their reading for pleasure provision. In 2025-2026, 25 schools will be enabled to work towards the RfP QM.
How to Get Involved?
Each year, the RfP QM has an introductory launch event, where schools can find out more about what the QM entails and receive guidance on whether it is something that they should be part of. The next launch event is 25/3/25, you can get tickets through the link below
https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/70023
Find Out More:
For more information about the RfP QM, including testimonies of its benefits, please click here.
Schools Library Services
SLS UK is a collective of Schools Library Services covering the UK. Run by experienced qualified librarians, our mission is to be a catalyst for learning and reading for pleasure by providing teachers and schools with the ideas, research and resources they need to deliver positive outcomes for pupils.
We do this by offering:
• Cost-effective learning resources subscriptions
• Specialist consultancy that connects with the curriculum
• Library services, from advice to supply
John Biddle's Recommendations
Waterstones
Waterstones is a major British book retailer, founded in 1982, known for its extensive selection of books, knowledgeable staff, and creating cultural hubs in its stores with cafes, events (author signings, readings), and a focus on supporting literature through prizes and recommendations.