Frequently asked questions about Premier League Reading Stars

• How can I get a Premier League Reading Stars pack?
• I'm a senior leader; should I have this project?
• I’ve got more than 32 pupils in my class. Can I have additional materials?
• Which children should be taking part in Premier League Reading Stars?
• What’s the best way to purchase the players’ favourite books and the titles in the Online Challenges?
• I’m struggling to access the films in the Premier League Reading Stars Online Challenge. Why can’t I view the films?
• What is my unique school number for the Online Challenges?
• What sort of support can I expect from a Premier League club? Can I get a player to visit my school or library?
• How can parents get involved?
• Press enquiries

How can I get a Premier League Reading Stars pack?

Premier League Reading Stars packs are available to purchase. Funding from the Premier League and Arts Council England has enabled us to provide a free pack to schools, libraries and football community settings that met our criteria. This included having (or working with schools that have) achievement in English below the national average at Key Stage 2 and/or a percentage of pupils receiving Free School Meals that is above the national average.  

I’ve got more than 32 pupils in my class. Can I have additional materials?

Unfortunately, we are unable to supply additional materials for larger groups.

Which children should be taking part in Premier League Reading Stars?

Choose pupils and students who are keen on football, but who struggle with literacy. They will not be keen on reading because they struggle with it, often not perceiving it to be of value, or use, to them. This programme will provide the missing relevance for their lives and is intended to improve their motivation, and change their attitude, towards reading.

What’s the best way to purchase the players’ favourite books and the titles in the Online Challenges?

Schools that buy or receive a free resource pack will also receive a 30% discount on challenge titles and players’ favourite reads from Browns Books for Students. Details of how to claim your discount, and downloadable lists of all the titles featured, are available for these schools to view in our project delivery area.

I’m struggling to access the films in the Premier League Reading Stars Online Challenge. Why can’t I view the films?

Difficulties with viewing our films are usually due to firewall filters restricting your access. We have provided some technical advice to help you to resolve this.

What is my unique school number for the Online Challenges?

If you have a Premier League Reading Stars pack you will have been allocated a Unique School Number for children to input when they have completed an Online Challenge. This number is located on the covering letter which you will have received with your pack. If you have lost your letter please email plrs@literacytrust.org.uk.

What sort of support can I expect from a Premier League club? Can I get a player to visit my school or library?

We designed this programme for schools and libraries so that they could use the pull of the Premier League wherever they are; with hundreds of schools and libraries participating across the country it is not possible for players, or clubs, to offer individual attention. The clubs’ commitment to the project is to provide a player, as a Reading Champion, who we have filmed for the online challenges.

While clubs will often welcome you contacting them (ask for the Head of Community in the first instance), be aware that different clubs are able to offer different things; please remember that clubs and players have hundreds of requests for appearances, not least because of this programme, and cannot agree to them all. You should consider alternatives in terms of celebrity involvement or visitors; try football coaches, football authors, sports journalists – there are plenty of ideas in our Tactics Book. You could even try a lower league club if you're keen to involve footballers. Please note that the programme is designed so that it can run in isolation – it shouldn’t be the end of the world if you can’t get interaction from a club. See Using football to promote literacy - Ideas for schools for more advice.

How can parents get involved?

We encourage parents to complete the online challenges with their children. We have also put together a separate page of information for parents.

Press enquiries

For press enquiries please contact Jane Woodley at jane.woodley@literacytrust.org.uk.