World Book Day is a celebration not just of books, but of imagination, literacy, and opportunity. It also brings with it a stark reminder that the UK is facing a long-term literacy challenge. 

Research shows that too many children start school behind in literacy and carry those challenges into their adult lives. With the right support, children and young people can develop a genuine love of reading that strengthens their literacy skills, confidence, and future prospects. 

What the Research Tells Us 

Many children start school already behind, and may not catch up 

Early literacy development is one of the strongest predictors of later success. Data from the Department for Education shows that around 1 in 3 five-year-olds (29.5%) did not meet the expected literacy level in 2024/25. 

For those leaving primary school, 1 in 4 11-year-olds (25%) were still failing to reach expected reading levels, which can make accessing the curriculum in secondary school significantly harder. 

At age 15, when preparing for and sitting GCSE exams, 20% of young people in England were still not reaching the minimum level of literacy proficiency, which is likely to impact their exam results and next steps after secondary school. 

A significant number of adults lack essential literacy skills 

The Survey of Adult Skills 2023 revealed that 18% of adults in England, or around 1 in 6, have low proficiency in literacy. These adults are more likely to face additional challenges such as low confidence, increased barriers to education or training, reduced job opportunities, or difficulty managing everyday tasks such as reading instructions or understanding key information. 

Reading for pleasure is declining sharply 

Reading for pleasure is one of the strongest drivers of vocabulary growth, however it is falling at every age. According to the National Literacy Trust, daily reading is at its lowest point in 20 years, with fewer than 1 in 5 young people aged 8 to 18 saying they read something every day. 

In their 2025 survey, only 1 in 3 children and young people (32.7%) said they enjoyed reading, with enjoyment dropping fastest among primary-aged children and boys.

How Schools Can Help: Practical Tips 

For Primary Schools 

1. Build a joyful reading culture 

Show your class that reading can be fun as well as important. Try holding daily read-aloud sessions that could include funny character voices, props such as hand puppets, or stickers for the most improved and the most confident readers. 

2. Offer true choice 

Give students the freedom to pick what they read, including comics, audiobooks, magazines, and non-fiction. This supports autonomy, one of the strongest motivators in the National Literacy Trust’s 2025 findings. 

3. Connect reading to children’s interests 

2 in 5 children said they were motivated to read when material related to a favourite film or TV series or matched their interests and hobbies. During library time, try setting challenges for your class like: “Find a book about your favourite animal!” 

4. Share the fun with everyone 

After reading time, hold a class roundtable where each student tells you what they read and why they enjoyed it. This encourages students to reflect on the positives of reading time. Sharing their thoughts with the class may also encourage other students to try reading something new.

For Secondary Schools 

1. Make reading relevant and relatable 

With 24% of young adults (age 16-24) reporting that they’ve never been regular readers, it’s important for secondary schools to bridge the gap post-primary by promoting reading to teenagers. Try to incorporate the interests of teens who may not identify as readers by sharing alternatives such as graphic novels, short stories, articles on current trends, and sports writing. 

2. Ensure representation in the library 

39% of young adults say they struggle to find content that represents them. Consider whether your library contains enough material showcasing different identities, abilities, and lifestyles. Try auditing your library with students to see what kinds of stories they would like to see more of. 

3. Support reading stamina 

Many young people, particularly teenagers, say a major barrier to reading is that they struggle to focus, however the amount of dedicated reading time often decreases after primary school. Implementing regular short chunks of dedicated reading time, such as timed 10-minute reading sprints, could support young people to better focus their attention. 

4. Create social groups for different interests 

Think about dividing your class into small book clubs of students who show interest in the same genres, such as sports biographies, fantasy books, and graphic novels. Students can discuss what they’re reading, make recommendations to each other, and create a fun, social environment around reading. 

In Conclusion 

The UK is facing an ongoing literacy challenge, but we have the power to make positive change. 

By supporting early literacy, encouraging reading for pleasure across different age groups, offering choice and representation, and creating joyful reading experiences, we can support all young people to develop the literacy skills they need to be prepared for adulthood. 

Sources 

  1. Survey of Adult Skills 2023 (PIAAC): National Report for England (Published December 2024) - The Survey of Adult Skills 2023 

  1. Department for Education, Early years foundation stage profile results (Published November 2025) - https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/early-years-foundation-stage-profile-results/2024-25#releaseHeadlines-summary  

  1. Department for Education, Key stage 2 attainment (Published December 2025) - https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/key-stage-2-attainment/2024-25-revised#dataBlock-a0cdf8f0-d70c-4df4-8017-b36557b49aeb-tables  

  1. PISA 2022: national report for England (Published December 2023) - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pisa-2022-national-report-for-england  

  1. National Literacy Trust, Children and young people's reading in 2025 (Published June 2025) - https://literacytrust.org.uk/research-services/research-reports/children-and-young-peoples-reading-in-2025/ 

  1. The Reading Agency, The State of the Nation’s Adult Reading: 2024 Report (Published July 2024) - https://readingagency.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/State-of-the-Nations-Adult-Reading_2024-Overview-Report_FINAL.pdf