Schoolreaders Launches Its National Year of Reading Pledge

On October 23rd, we had the honour of being hosted by C. Hoare & Co. for a special event marking the launch of Schoolreaders’ pledge to the National Year of Reading 2026. It was an inspiring evening that brought together supporters, volunteers, and friends of Schoolreaders united by one shared vision: ensuring that every child has the chance to learn to read well.

The National Year of Reading

The Government has announced that 2026 will be the National Year of Reading - a vital campaign to address the steep decline in children’s reading. Schoolreaders is proud to play a leading role in this initiative.  

During the year we have pledged to deliver 1.5 million individual reading sessions to children in primary schools nationwide, with a focus on the most disadvantaged. To achieve this ambitious goal, we will need to work more closely than ever with our partners, funders and corporate supporters and secure increased financial support to make lasting impact for the children who need us most. 

The National Year of Reading 2026 comes at a crucial moment. Across the country, children’s reading levels have been in steep decline, with one in four children leaving primary school unable to read to the expected standard. For those children, the consequences on their future education and life opportunities can last a lifetime.

Kate Adie and Carolyn Jones

During the event, our Patron, Kate Adie, spoke with one of our remarkable volunteers, a former family court judge, about the transformational impact of Schoolreaders’ work. Their conversation offered a powerful reminder of how one-to-one reading support can build not only literacy skills but also confidence, self-esteem, and a brighter future.

Kate Adie shared her experiences of how literacy is consider a precious gift in different parts of the world she has visited in her long career, and spoke to Carolyn about the poor literacy and disadvantage she witnessed in her own career.

Bringing her experience as a former Family Court Judge, Carolyn has long worked with families from disadvantaged backgrounds. “In my career, I have often had to sit behind children and young people in dreadful situations,” she reflected.

“Many families I worked with had poor literacy, not only among the children, but their parents too.”

Now, she can support children in a different way. “It is wonderful to sit beside children and help them learn a skill that will set them up for better opportunities in life,” Carolyn says. She has seen children blossom under her guidance, with once reluctant or withdrawn readers becoming confident and engaged learners.

Join Us in the National Year of Reading

As we look ahead to 2026, we’re committed to playing a leading role in this campaign. But we can’t do it alone. Whether you’re interested in volunteering, partnering with us, or simply learning more about the initiative, we invite you to get involved.

Read more about our pledge and how you can support the National Year of Reading here: www.schoolreaders.org/national-year-of-reading