National Year of Reading 2026 – Reigniting a Love for Books

A shared national challenge

Reading for pleasure has fallen to its lowest national level in more than a decade. The National Year of Reading 2026 aims to rebuild excitement, curiosity and connection through reading by uniting schools, libraries, families and cultural partners across England.

At a glance

• Nationwide reading campaign launches in 2026

• Focus placed on rebuilding confidence, enjoyment and reading for pleasure

• Collaboration across schools, publishers, libraries and cultural partners

“A child who loves to read will never stop learning,” says Findel Education. “Our role is to make that journey accessible, joyful and inclusive.”

Turning enthusiasm into engagement

Success will depend on practical, sustainable delivery. Through Hope Education and GLS, Findel helps schools create inspiring reading corners, refresh book collections and deliver thematic activities that connect stories to real world experiences. Diverse representation across texts helps every learner see themselves in their learning journey.

Creating a lasting reading culture

Findel’s heritage in education supply means we understand how reading confidence grows — through variety, relevance, ownership and access. We support schools to build long lasting reading habits by aligning curated collections with teacher guidance, outcome based selection and resources that build literacy momentum.

Key takeaways

• The National Year of Reading focuses on reading for pleasure rather than assessment pressure

• Sustainability depends on practical implementation across classrooms and community culture

• Findel supports literacy confidence with engaging reading environments and inclusive collections