8 ways schools promote reading for pleasure

Last reviewed on 18 February 2022
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 5501

Get everyone on the same page when it comes to a love of reading, and be inspired to create a school-wide book buzz with these strategies, resources and initiatives from schools and organisations.

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Contents

  1. Challenge pupils to read a diverse range of books
  2. Link reading to other areas of your curriculum
  3. Create appealing reading spaces throughout your school
  4. Get adults leading by reading
  5. Encourage reading during the school holidays
  6. Celebrate books through national initiatives
  7. Publish your reading lists online to engage families
  8. Host a book fair

Please note that the inclusion of any commercial products and/or initiatives in this article doesn’t constitute an endorsement from The Key. 

Challenge pupils to read a diverse range of books

Parklands Primary School’s engaging reading challenge won a reading for pleasure award (with a certificate signed by bestselling author Philip Pullman) in 2020. 

If pupils read 10 books from different genres, including a story from a different culture, they get to choose a free book from the school’s vending machine.

Author Brian Abram observed during a visit that the school’s commitment to reading for pleasure shone through in the way pupils engaged curiously with him about his stories and his use of a wheelchair. 

This is explained in the school’s award letter, which you can view via the link above. 

Use pupils’ ages as motivation 

It encourages pupils

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