About Reading Champions

Reading Champions is an inspirational project that uses the positive power of peer influence to get reluctant readers, specifically boys, into reading. Previously funded by Government, the project is now available to all schools who want to target reluctant readers using peer influence to increase their enjoyment of reading and to positively impact on the rest of the school.

Schools can also order a Reading Champions resource pack via our online order form. The pack costs £90 and includes:

•  A comprehensive toolkit providing detailed guidance on how to set up and run Reading Champions in school
• Bronze, silver and gold certificates and pin badges for 20 pupils

A supplementary pack of certificates and badges (enough for 20 pupils) is also available for £65.

Order Reading Champions resource pack

Order Reading Champions supplementary certificates and badges

“Just wanted to say thank you so much for involving Alfie in the National Literacy Trust [Reading Champions] Award. His certificate is gorgeous (I am going to frame it) and he wears his badge with pride - it is just what he needs!!!”

Extract from a letter from the parent of a Year 8 pupil at Huish Episcopi Academy, Somerset

Why focus on boys’ reading?

Government figures show that boys’ performance is consistently lower than girls’ in all literacy related tasks and tests in England for all age groups, a picture that is also reflected in other countries in the United Kingdom. National Literacy Trust research shows that boys also enjoy reading less than girls do and hold more negative attitudes towards reading. The Reading Champions approach was developed to try and counter this trend.

How does it work?

Schools recruit boys, particularly those who have a high profile among pupils, to become Reading Champions. These Reading Champions encourage other boys to get into reading by running positive reading activities and promotions. Schools can use the Reading Champions framework within school to nominate the boys for bronze, silver and then gold awards, which provide recognition for their achievement and help keep them motivated. Find out more about the Reading Champions framework.

What impact does it have?

“Reading Champions has dramatically raised the self-esteem, belief and confidence of our boys. They have learned skills for life through this project, which they take with them in their attitude to life and learning. The boys have created an upbeat atmosphere for reading, and everyone wants to get involved.”
Christ the King RC Primary School, Islington

Reading Champions has been hugely successful in both primary and secondary schools, and over 3,000 schools and other institutions have got involved so far. In 2009/10, we ran a Reading Champions project with a cluster of schools in Tameside local authority, and evaluated the impact of the project on these schools and boys involved. We found that, through participating in the project:

• Reading Champions become more positive about reading, read more regularly and enjoy reading more
• Reading Champions develop their social, communication, teamwork and leadership skills
• Other pupils in the school become more motivated to read
• The school’s reading culture becomes stronger and more inclusive
• Pupils’ dads and male carers read more often with their children and talk about reading with them more often.

Read the full report.

Already running Reading Champions?

There are still lots of free tips and ideas available to all on our website.