Just 36.1% of children and young people aged 8-18 say that they enjoy reading. Daily reading in 5-8 year olds has decreased substantially since 2019 and there is a widening gap in reading enjoyment between those who receive free school meals and those who don’t. Finding joy in reading is crucial; studies indicate that reading motivation and enjoyment are positively correlated with reading ability and that children who enjoy reading experience a variety of wider health and wellbeing benefits.

Our Book Clubs are designed to foster a love of reading amongst reluctant readers aged 8-10. Specially trained Reading Facilitators lead a 12-week programme of weekly 30-minute sessions, where six children collectively choose one of three books to read together; they then engage in free-flowing discussion and are empowered to form their own identities as readers. The sessions feel very different and distinct from English ‘teaching’ and are designed to motivate them to read for pleasure.