Why is there a need for the Young Readers Programme?

Reading for Change

The UK has a persistent tail of underachievement in literacy. Key Stage 2 results show that more than 20% of 11-year-olds fail to reach basic standards in reading and writing and almost 50,000 pupils in England have no useful literacy. 

People with poor literacy skills are more likely to be workless, living in inadequate housing, in poor health and dissatisfied with their life[1]. Poor skills are only one of the causes of disadvantage, but taking action to improve literacy skills is often the only positive change people can make for themselves. We believe the most effective way of improving children’s skills, opportunities and life chances is through reading for pleasure.  Research has shown that reading enjoyment is more important for children’s educational success than their family’s socio-economic status[2]. 

Our project The Young Readers Programme is the evidence-based strategy that the National Literacy Trust uses to promote reading for pleasure to disadvantaged children and their families.

[1] Dugdale & Clark. (2008). Literacy Changes Lives

[2] OECD. (2002). Reading for change: Performance and engagement across countries results from PISA 2000