National Year of Reading 2026
- landrew3
- Jan 13
- 3 min read
Learn more about why this year is a National Year of Reading and how you and your school can benefit and be involved!
2026 is a National Year of Reading
It's time for the nation to Go All In.
If you're into it, read into it.
Why is a National Year of Reading happening this year?
The UK is experiencing a profound, generational decline in reading enjoyment. Evidence from the Annual Literacy Survey | National Literacy Trust (2025) reveals that only one in three children and young people aged 8 to 18 reported enjoying reading in their free time.
If we compare this internationally, according to the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS, 2021), only 29% of pupils aged 9 to 10 in England said they “very much like reading,” significantly below the international average of 46%.
When we look beyond childhood this disengagement continues into adulthood. Recent research from The Reading Agency (2024) underscores a lack of reading among adults. Many adults explaining that the barriers for them are time pressures, low confidence, and limited access to relevant reading materials.
This will be the third National Year of Reading, previous years being in 1998 and 2008. However, it is the first in an era of smartphones, streaming and AI, with all the challenges and opportunities that brings.
Let's work together to try and shift a culture - Let's Go All In!
How can you and your school get involved?
In 2026, the National Year of Reading is reconnecting reading with the things that already inspire us – from playlists and football matches to films, food and family time. It’s reading that fits how we live, not the other way around.
Explore how you can join the movement at home, in your setting, or across your community on the Go All In - National Year of Reading Website National Year of Reading 2026 | Go All In
You can sign up for updates on events, activities and resources available here.
You can Go All In and sign up for the Learning Management System here.
To kick start 2026, Schools and Early Years Settings you can also sign up now to the
All-Phase Introduction Webinar on 15th January. Launch of the National Year of Reading webinar: Inspiring life-long readers | National Literacy Trust
Who are the partners Involved in the National Year of Reading?
The National Year of Reading is a Department for Education Initiative, supported by more than 60 partners including...
The National Literacy Trust have two options for involvement here What's On For Schools | National Year Of Reading 2026 | National Literacy Trust
Sign up for option 1: 'Go All In' as a whole school or setting
Nominate a colleague to be your National Year of Reading representative and register with their details to our learning management system.
The representative will be added to your chosen phase pathway where your whole school or setting will follow a guided journey of the offer each term.
The chosen representative will be notified of the platform opening in January.
Option 2: Flexible dip in and out
We know the pressures of education require flexibility, so you can also choose to dip into the offer each term by signing up to single events and webinars, and downloading the resources via the activity tiles further down this page.
This is most appropriate for an individual teacher or practitioner involvement.
Follow the socials of the National Year of Reading and share your journey here...
Look out for our next Blog on preparing for World Book Day 2026 - another of partner of the National Year of Reading!
Follow us on Instagram here...
For more information about us and our support go to English Hubs - St Wilfrid's English Hub (stwenglishhub.co.uk)
