Reading for Pleasure

National Literacy Trust’s (NLT) latest Annual Literacy Survey reveals that children and young people’s reading for enjoyment is at an all-time low with just 1 in 3 (34.6%) pupils aged eight to 18 saying that they enjoyed reading in their free time. This is the lowest level recorded by the charity since it launched its survey in 2005, representing an 8.8% drop since last year. It is also part of a broader downward trend since 2016 when almost 2 in 3 children said they enjoyed reading.

Reading frequency is also at a historic low with only 1 in 5 eight- to 18-year-olds saying they read daily in their free time, a drop of 7.5% from last year.

The gender gap in reading enjoyment has nearly tripled compared to 2023, with 28.2% of boys aged eight to 18 saying that they read in their free time, compared with 40.5% of girls.

NLT's report makes difficult reading but the good news is that we're here to help with a programme of school visits, including gallery tours and literacy workshops, to inspire your pupils' reading for pleasure. If you're looking to encourage a culture of reading for pleasure and build literacy skills, why not book a session for next term? With National Storytelling Week coming up in January and World Book Day in March, now's the perfect time to plan a visit.

School Visits

Our Learning team offers a range of tailored literacy sessions for each Key Stage.

Curriculum links include: literacy; English Literature; PSHE; spiritual, moral, social and cultural development; local and world history; and human and physical geography.

BOOK A SCHOOL VISIT AND YOU'LL GET:

• A two-hour morning/afternoon guided session led by our Learning Team of experienced primary and secondary teachers
• A visit to Small Worlds (Nursery, EYFS & Year 1) or the Galleries, including our immersive exhibition 'Here Be Dragons Co-curated by Cressida Cowell and Toothless' (Year 1 upwards)
• A literacy workshop in our learning studio, the Magic Common Room (Year 1 upwards)
• An allocated slot in our lunch room (reserve free of charge at time of booking)
• Two free preview tickets so that you can visit us before your group visit and complete your school's risk assessment.