Back to school planning: helping children read their way
September is the perfect time to get to know your pupils better, as readers — helping them feel seen, heard, and supported to Read Their Way. Whether they love graphic novels, stories on the go, or prefer to dip into non-fiction books, children are more likely to read for fun when their reading is celebrated.
Get to Know Your New Class
Building relationships is key to creating a strong reading culture. These simple, creative resources help you explore children’s reading identities from the very start of term:
- Reading Identity Doodle Activity Sheet – a fun, creative way for children to express how and what they like to read.
- Book Recommendation Bingo – encourages children to explore each other’s favourite reads and make new reading connections.
- Staff Door Poster – share your own reading identity to help model enthusiasm and curiosity about reading.
What children have told us about reading
Our research shows that children face some consistent barriers to reading at home — including:
- Feeling judged for what they like to read
- Linking reading closely with schoolwork
- Struggling to find reading role models
- Lacking choice and autonomy
That’s why we continue to support reading on their terms — through choice, access, encouragement, and joy. Read more:
Our Approach and the Evidence Behind It
Judgement and expectations are putting children off reading
Practical Ways to Build a Reading for Pleasure Culture Next Year
If you’re a senior leader:
- Use our Reading for Pleasure Audit Tool to explore children’s current experiences and identify focus areas.
- Support and engage families with accessible activities and take-home resources that make reading feel fun and doable.
- Watch our Overcoming Barriers to Reading for Pleasure, a series of reflective conversations around the barriers and how they can be addressed.
- Check out the Reading and Writing for Pleasure Framework created for the Mercers Company by Professor Teresa Cremin and colleagues for a summary of the research.
If you’re planning classroom activity:
- ️Use the Reading Prescription to help children reflect on their interests and find books that suit them.
- Encourage peer discussions with reading interviews from our Primary and Secondary assemblies.
- Help children explore books that meet their needs with the Read What You Need resource.
- Model different reading experiences with our free audiobooks, video stories, and Book Club picks — all designed to show that there’s no “right” way to read.
Resources to Share with Families
Reading for pleasure works best when it’s supported at home too. Here are some simple ways for families to get involved:
- World of Stories Audiobooks – free, high-quality audiobooks to enjoy on the go
- Share a Story Corner – video stories and activities perfect for younger children
Let’s Make Reading Feel Personal!
As your new classes settle in, help every child feel that reading can be for them. From classroom conversations to playful activities, the smallest changes can have a big impact on how children feel about books.
This new school year let’s help them Read Their Way — and discover just how powerful that can be.