The National Literacy Trust

Unlocking the power of reading

It doesn’t surprise many to learn that reading for pleasure at primary school is crucial for a child’s academic success and wellbeing. Yet, 1 in 7 state primary schools in the UK does not have a dedicated library or reading space - this figure drops to 1 in 4 in the most disadvantaged communities.

Just 43% of children and young people say they read for pleasure and as many as 1 in 8 children don’t own a book of their own at home. Many hundreds of public libraries have closed over the past decade and the effects of lockdown and the cost-of-living crisis are still being felt by many families.

An inspiring, well-stocked school library driven by well-trained staff is the key. It should be full of books that the children choose and read with passion and dedication and not because they have to. Maybe the cover illustration grabbed their attention and then the story took them somewhere, or perhaps their best friend recommended it!

In 2021, the National Literacy Trust and Penguin

Books founded the Libraries for Primaries campaign (formerly The Primary School Library Alliance) with the aim of ensuring that every primary school in the UK has a library or dedicated reading space. This multi-sectoral partnership, now with 29 publishing partners, has already transformed 1,000 primary school libraries located in communities across the UK where low literacy and poverty are having the greatest impact on children’s lives.

Each school library is carefully curated, with up to 500 new books that reflect the children’s backgrounds and interests, to inspire young minds to develop a lifelong love of reading. It is a place where children can browse the shelves, curl up with a colourful book and have an exciting story recommended to them by a friendly and enthusiastic teacher. The teachers’ sustained professional development keeps the library environment animated as it evolves into the beating heart of its reading culture.

Marie Elliot, the principal at High Hazels Academy in Sheffield said that her pupils audibly gasped when they saw their new library! “I want all our children to become engaged with reading as it is one of the most important ways to make a difference to their life chances,” she told us.

But the work of Libraries for Primaries is far from done. We want every primary school in the UK to have a library by 2028. We are now calling on the government to step up and play its part by providing a proportion of the outstanding investment that is needed.

Children are shaped intellectually and emotionally by the books they read. Reading for pleasure supports empathy and creativity. It stimulates the imagination and enhances vocabulary. It excites and comforts.

RACHEL SAMUEL Communications Manager literacytrust.org.uk