New series: How to implement the Reading Framework at your school

Wide range of books 

The key is to have a book corner with a breadth of titles incorporating a wide range of text types, and, equally importantly, a whole school library space which further supports each classroom. (While advice on book corners is aimed for the most part at primary settings, achieving the same variety in your school library space should also be a consideration at secondary.)

At Peters, we read and review more than 10,000 newly published children's and young adult books every year, so we're ideally placed to advise on widening your book stock and classroom collections. Browse our website for reading for pleasure recommendations book packs, and reading schemes for primary schools to suit every pupil, as well as dedicated lists for diverse books,poetry and more.

Alternatively, let us make the selections for you. Get in touch and tell us a little about your pupils: previous favourites, the families and lifestyles you wish to reflect, and your chosen curriculum topics, and we'll do the rest.

Older picture books

Page 86 of the report states that 'Teachers should read aloud a wide range of picture books, including those suitable for older pupils, and make these available for pupils to take home.' We're pleased to see that these get specific mention within the framework's recommendations for classroom collections, as we believe picture books have a place on the bookshelf of every year group.

With suggestions for picture books from EYFS all the way up to Year 6, and visual texts selected specifically for Tutor Time Reading at secondary schools, we have all the suggestions you might need.

Diversity and inclusivity We couldn't agree more that pupils should find themselves reflected in the titles on their classroom bookshelf, and also that they should be provided with a wide range of books that provide with a window into the lives of others. That’s why we have dedicated pages to help you select the titles most suitable for your class, and our new Championing diversity guide to help you diversify literacy and reading at your school.

Create a bookshop feel with a children's reading corner 

Having a small classroom collection which is refreshed and updated termly is stated as key, and for some schools this is a considerable change. We can help you manage this move with our book subscription service, and each term you'll receive a box of high-quality new books for your classes – without the pressure of staff selecting every book themselves.

Making your key stage 1 reading collection or corner appealing and inviting to pupils is also key, from having books shelved at the right height and the option to have some titles facing outwards, to providing comfortable seating, which may also be a change to some book corners in your school. Visit our furniture and library design pages for inspiration. 

'The best classroom book areas are like mini bookshops. The challenge is to offer pupils choice, without overwhelming them. Teachers might consider: choosing books from the main school library choosing books that the class has already listened to starting the year with a range of 30 to 50 books only including a few copies of some single titles, favourites from the previous year refreshing the stock regularly throughout the year, with pupils’ help putting books at eye level so pupils can see easily what is available presenting as many books as possible face-out, so that the cover, author and title engage pupils’ attention.' 2023 Reading Framework, pages 89-90

Make each book worth reading

Page 90 of the framework states that 'Every book must be worth reading, or help pupils to put in the reading miles. Books that are unlikely to achieve either of these aims should be discarded.'  

This can be a daunting task within the confines of an already packed school day, so if you're looking to evaluate your existing stock before making any decisions, why not let us audit your classroom collections, and provide recommendations specifically to suit your setting.

If you've already edited your collection and you're looking for new books quickly, book packs can be an efficient way of getting books to pupils fast. The framework highlights the importance of books that will help pupils ‘put in the reading miles’, so if you're looking for ways to keep pupils reading, our BooksForTopics ‘Branching out’ packs provide titles similar to authors your pupils already love and can be a great way to keep the momentum going.

Independent choice

While the framework emphasises the importance of giving pupils the freedom to choose what they read, many schools also recognise the need to monitor pupils' progression with reading and one or more of a range of banded systems to do this. If you need support with integrating these alongside your classroom reading for pleasure collection, visit our dedicated pages on book banding, Accelerated Reader and phonics schemes as well as reading for pleasure recommendations.