While keeping in mind the issues surrounding boys' attainment and attitudes towards reading, it is obviously still important to consider girls, particularly when implementing a project specifically aimed at boys.

In response to feedback from schools wishing to implement a reading project for girls, we have opened up the Reading Champions model to include both boys and girls. Girls can now be nominated via the website in exactly the same way as boys.

In order not to put the boys off taking part we encourage keeping the boys' and girls' projects separate. Part of the appeal for both groups is ownership and feeling that they have control over the project. Also, boys are likely to quickly become disinterested if they feel that they are inferior to the girls. There may, however, be some potential to create competition between the two groups. The way the model has worked has been very successful and it's important that by including the girls Reading Champions doesn't lose its appeal the boys.

Click here for research on gender and literacy

Reading Angels

Reading Champions for girls replaces the Reading Angels scheme. However, if you have been running Reading Angels and wish to continue, please contact nick.batty@literacytrust.org.uk to be sent the certificate files.