Islington
Over three years (2020-2023), Get Islington Reading developed a community of happy, confident young readers through coordinated activities with schools, libraries and community groups.
The borough-wide campaign aimed to embed reading for enjoyment in schools and communities and support transition from primary to secondary education.
We undertook a review of current provision in order to facilitate participation in a wide range of reading activities, provide new books for school libraries and connect schools and public libraries to build a strong community of readers in Islington.
Funded by the Charity of Sir Richard Whittington through The Mercers' Company, the campaign was delivered by the National Literacy Trust, The Reading Agency and local partners Islington Council Library Service, Islington Education Library Service and Islington School Improvement Service.
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Explore our fun activities and free resources for families in Islington.Learn more
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We have lots of resources, guidance and training to support schools and teachers in Islington.Learn more
Key outcomes
Get Islington Reading supported more children aged 9 to 14 in Islington to become happy, engaged, confident and empowered readers. It also supported 14 schools to increase their focus on reading for enjoyment and encouraged more families to engage in activities centred around books and reading.
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More children and young people enjoy reading
1 in 3 (31%) reluctant readers started to enjoy reading as a result of the campaign.
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More children and young people engage in positive reading behaviours
Children read more often, read more widely and used their school and public libraries more frequently.
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More children and young people think positively about reading
The percentage of children reading because they believe it is beneficial for their futures more than tripled (from 7% in 2020 to 24% in 2022).
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More children and young people feel confident about reading
69% of children who took part in the Summer Reading Challenge reported feeling more confident about their reading.
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More families engaged with positive reading activities
68% of parents said they visited their public library more often as a family.
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Schools increased their focus on reading for enjoyment
100% of participating schools increased their focus on reading for enjoyment.
Our approach
Find out more about how bringing together schools, libraries and cultural organisations can help to embed reading for enjoyment in schools and communities.
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Explore the work of our Get Islington Reading programme and discover how to support children making the big change from primary to secondary school.Learn more
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The Reading Agency and Islington Council explore the role local libraries can play, alongside schools, in encouraging children and young people to read for pleasure.Learn more
Embark on a Black history story trail in Islington
Head outdoors and discover freedom fighters, singers, explorers, dancers and other inspiring figures from Black history on our trail around the borough.
