World Book Day 2026: How we’re building reading confidence in UK schools
“Sir, sir, I’ve got a new book – I know what I’m going to read next!”
That’s what one teacher told us they’re hearing more often now. Hearing children excited about books, eager to read and proud to take part, is exactly the kind of change we’re working to create.
On World Book Day 2026, schools across the UK came together with a shared purpose: to celebrate the joy of reading and highlight the importance of children’s literacy.
We marked this special day by visiting two of our partner schools, where we saw first-hand how one-to-one reading support is helping children develop their reading skills and confidence, whilst discovering a genuine love of books.
Building confidence through reading
At Harlesden Primary School, we spoke with Year 5 and 6 pupils who have taken part in our One-to-one Reading Programme.
Many of these children once found reading difficult or intimidating. Now, they talk about it with confidence and even enjoyment.
Two pupils, Ben and Lila*, shared how one-to-one support has changed their experience of reading.
Ben told us he used to struggle with longer words and lacked confidence. He explained that he “found pronouncing long words very hard” before receiving support from his reading volunteer.
But with consistent one-to-one sessions, he has developed both his reading fluency and confidence as a reader:
“Before I started the programme, I didn’t really know how to read that much. But now I can read properly, I’m fluent – I feel proud of myself.”
Lila shared a similar journey, but what stood out most was how her relationship with reading has changed:
“[My volunteer] was really kind… we do games that help me to be confident. Reading is really easy and interesting for me now.”
Their teachers have seen a noticeable difference too, not just in reading ability, but in their confidence:
“[They’ve made] great, great strides in their confidence.”
For pupils like Lila and Ben, who speak English as an additional language, this kind of tailored support is especially important. It helps to ensure they don’t fall behind but instead, thrive alongside their peers.
Why one-to-one reading support matters
Teachers across our partner schools are witnessing the impact of our One-to-one Reading Programme every day.
One teacher told us how dramatically children’s confidence has grown:
“They seem more confident when they’re reading, because they’d had this experience. Before, they’d be more shy, not wanting to get involved. Now, they’re one of the first few to put their hands up. If they’re asking who wants to read something in class, they’re one of the first – really excited.”
At Harlesden Primary, over 20 languages are spoken, so the programmes focus on oracy, confidence and individual support is vital. It ensures that every child, regardless of their background, has access to the help they need to succeed in reading.
The literacy lead told us: “oracy for our school is a big push because we have children from so many diverse backgrounds, so they don’t often get the support they need at home to be able to read. These kinds of programmes help those children to be able to gain the confidence to then have an interest in reading.”
Our One-to-one Reading Programme can help children:
- Improve reading comprehension and fluency
- Build confidence in the classroom
- Develop a positive relationship with books
- Strengthen speaking and listening skills
Inspiring a love of reading on World Book Day
As part of the World Book Day 2026 celebrations, we also organised a special visit to one of our partner schools in Sheffield with bestselling crime writer, Lee Child.
Speaking to pupils, he emphasised the importance of ensuring every child leaves primary school with the reading skills they need to thrive: “Every child should be able to read when they leave primary school, that should be an absolute minimum, bottom line.”
His visit helped to spark excitement around reading and shone a national spotlight on the work we’re doing to tackle the literacy crisis.
We also heard from Reading Mentor, Chloe, who shared her own early struggles with reading – something she is determined no child should have to face alone.
Her impact was clear: her reader proudly told Chloe that she now reads the “bigger books at home, instead of the small books,” a small moment that speaks volumes about growing confidence.
Closing the literacy gap together
Schools highlighted the literacy challenges they see every day and the difference that targeted one-to-one support can make for children who risk being left behind.
This World Book Day, we were reminded that reading changes lives – but only if every child gets the support they need.
Be part of that change, learn more about becoming a reading volunteer.
Become a Reading Volunteer
Just one hour a week can help a child gain confidence, improve literacy, and fall in love with reading.
*Names changed for confidentiality
