Reading Framework series: Reading for Pleasure

Confidence and fluency

'It is vital that pupils read widely and frequently to increase their confidence and fluency.' (DfE Reading Framework 2023, page 86)

Developing fluency in the initial period once progressing from phonics materials can be daunting for pupils and staff. Our website can help you find the right books to be able to offer all children a wide variety of options that they'll enjoy. You’ll find a wide range of beginner reads, specifically scaled to increase in difficulty, as well as short chapter books and HiLo titles to support readers developing fluency at an older age.

Pupil choice

The framework focuses on the importance of providing a wide enough range of reading material from beginner reading up to key stage 2 and beyond, to allow children to choose the books they'll most enjoy. Pupils should have access to recent, newly published titles, and books likely to reflect their own backgrounds and experiences. To help broaden your pupils’ reading horizons, our BooksForTopics ‘Branching Out’ book packs can encourage them to try new titles similar to existing favourites. This range include books for topics KS1 and books for topics KS2, providing a wide range of fiction and non-fction titles. Alternatively, send us a list of books that are popular with your classes and we'll put together a bespoke list of similar books they’re sure to love.

New book recommendations

‘To play this role effectively, teachers and librarians need to know the books that their pupils will enjoy and not just those that they would like them to read.’

DfE Reading Framework 2023, page 93

Teachers may be the best promoters of new titles, but staying up to date with new releases can be tricky for time-poor staff. Our librarians and Curriculum Advisors read and review more than 10,000 newly published children’s books each year, with our reviews published online – so you can use our website to find the best new titles to appeal to your pupils. Prefer us to do the hard work for you? Leave the task of regular updates to your bookshelves up to us with our new reading for pleasure book subscription service.

Book talk

Creating reading communities is key to building a Reading for Pleasure culture in schools, with book clubs or dedicated story time in schools one highlighted strategy. Another is Drop and Everything and Read (DEAR) in primary schools and Tutor Time reads at secondary. However you choose to engage your pupils in meaningful book talk, we have spines to support you. Our spines will help ensure progression year on year which your staff require to ensure pupils are all offered appropriate challenge and engagement. Find out more on our Reading spines page.

Reading aloud

‘As with younger children, reading aloud to older pupils is a key way of supporting their development as readers. In Key Stage 3, form tutors might consider reading aloud during tutor time.’ 

DfE Reading Framework 2023, page 101

Reading aloud, even after pupils have secured fluency, is recognised in the reading framework as an important experience. It can bring a class together, foster discussions around important issues, and support pupils to read texts that they may be unable to
access independently. We have recommendations for whole class reading at both primary and secondary levels: see our DEAR, whole class reads and Tutor Time Reading Spine pages.

Regular evaluation

Our Curriculum Advisors offer an audit service to support you in evaluating your reading for pleasure provision and creating inviting library spaces to encourage pupils to read. We can visit you in school to review your existing stock and bring it up to date, or audit your stock remotely – evaluating your existing titles from your details held on record, reviewing your English book selections for each year group and suggesting alternatives, or offering advice for related units of work.