Promoting reading whilst trying to balance heavy workloads along with budget constraints can be a challenge for many schools.

As the Reading Framework suggests “to nurture the reading habit, schools need a strategic approach rather than simply an eclectic mix of ‘reading for pleasure’ activities”.

Having an action plan will help you to create an environment that values reading, providing resources and activities that encourage it, and fostering a genuine love for books amongst pupils.

This two-part strategy looks at ways to develop a strong reading culture and encourage positive attitudes towards reading. We share ideas and activities to engage teachers, families, promote books through display and tips to enhance your reading environments.

In Part One, we focus on budget-friendly solutions that do not require financial investment and therefore can be implemented in the short-term.

First things first, a successful strategy begins with establishing a clear and shared vision for reading within the school. This vision should:

• Emphasise the importance of reading as a fundamental skill for academic success and personal growth
• Articulate the school’s commitment to fostering a love for reading and building a culture where reading is valued by everyone—students, teachers, and parents

How to get started:

Senior leadership teams might consider developing a reading mission statement that is visible on the school website and shared with staff and parents.

Why not get teachers, students, and parents involved in shaping the school’s vision? This gives everyone a sense of ownership and reinforces the role they have to play in the development of the school’s reading culture.

Teachers play a crucial role in modelling reading behaviours for students. Promoting reading in schools begins with teachers demonstrating their own passion for books – when teachers are passionate about reading, it can be contagious and inspire students!

Teachers in all subjects—not just English—can integrate reading into their lessons. History teachers can use historical novels or biographies, while science teachers can introduce science fiction or popular science books.

This approach helps students see that reading is not confined to one subject but is relevant and enriching across the curriculum.

What can you do?

Try placing a poster on your door or on your desk of your current read or your reading wish list to create a great talking point.

Prioritise storytime. Stopping a lesson because you don’t want to miss out on reading together as a class is a huge statement that demonstrates your passion and the priority you place on reading.

Keep up to date with children’s literature and celebrate new releases. If you need to brush up on the newest titles to share with your pupils, you can follow a few publishers or online bloggers.

Here are some recommendations:

Each month, BookTrust reviews a number of new titles for children and students. Here is the latest review for October 2024 but you can also revisit past recommendations: https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/our-recommendations/best-new-books/

LoveReading is one of the UK’s most well-known book recommendation sites where you can also buy online. Here is a link to their new releases section:
https://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/new-releases

Book sellers like Waterstones have a vast array of titles which you can sort by the release date, price or simply show bestsellers:
https://www.waterstones.com/category/childrens-teenage

For more tips, head over to our guest blog where Primary School teacher, Esther Brown, shares her favourite ways for teachers to become reading role models.

Promote reading around school with displays

Creating engaging book displays in schools is an effective way to highlight the importance of reading. By strategically placing these displays in communal areas, classrooms, and the library, schools can capture the interest of students and encourage book talk.

Teacher Recommendations

A display featuring teachers’ favourite books can inspire students to explore new genres. Teachers can write short blurbs explaining why they recommend a particular book, making the recommendations personal and meaningful.

Reading Events

Highlight upcoming reading events, such as book fairs, author visits, or reading challenges, on eye-catching boards. These displays can help generate excitement and encourage participation.

Photos of Readers

Include photos of both students and teachers actively reading to normalize and celebrate the act of reading. This visual approach personalises reading and makes it more relatable for students.

Library Promotion

A dedicated library display board can showcase what’s happening in the library—new arrivals, upcoming events, competitions or author quotes. Include a “Top Ten Most Borrowed Books” section or “Pupils’ Recommendations” to get students involved.

Themed Displays

Create themed book displays around relevant curriculum topics or school events. Rotating these themes keeps the displays fresh and aligns them with what students are learning or celebrating.

Read-and-Share

For ideas and inspiration, check out our Read-and-Share units – designed to get children talking about books and sharing their reading experiences in a fun and positive way.

Find out more

For Part 2, we’ll be looking at more low-cost strategies as well as initiatives that may require investment. To receive updates direct to your inbox, sign up to our mailing list here.