The National Year of Reading 2026 – A Turning Point for Literacy
The UK government has declared 2026 the National Year of Reading — a bold, necessary initiative to combat declining literacy rates and reignite children's love for reading. Led by the Department for Education in partnership with the National Literacy Trust, the campaign signals a nationwide effort to bring books back to the heart of daily life — at home, in schools, and across communities.
This couldn’t come at a more urgent time. Children in the UK are now spending an average of six hours a day on screens, immersed in gaming, notifications, and endless loops of short-form video. The result? Reading for pleasure is at its lowest point in years, and too many children leave primary school without the literacy skills they need to succeed.
As Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson put it, “Reading holds the keys to so much of children’s education, so the decline in reading for pleasure among young people should sound alarm bells loud and clear.”
At Pageticker, we hear those alarm bells—and we’re stepping up. Our digital reading diary is built to support this national mission, helping schools and families embed a consistent, joyful reading habit into children’s everyday lives.
Why the National Year of Reading 2026 Matters
This isn’t just another campaign — The National Year of Reading 2026 is our chance to fire up imaginations, fill classrooms with stories, and make reading the heartbeat of school & home life..
The National Year of Reading 2026 aims to:
Encourage reading for pleasure
Bring together schools, families, communities, and national partners
Reimagine reading for today’s world
Inspire new readers of all ages
Empower businesses and workplaces to champion reading
These goals are ambitious—but essential. Because reading doesn’t just unlock academic achievement. It builds confidence, boosts mental wellbeing, and helps children connect to the world around them. A child who reads is a child who thinks critically, dreams bigger, and feels more empowered.
How Pageticker Supports the Reading Revolution
At Pageticker, we’re proud to be part of the solution. Our digital reading diary is designed for the world children live in now. Here’s how we’re helping schools and families turn reading from a chore into a habit:
Encourages daily reading habits both in and out of school
Connects teachers, pupils, and families on one easy-to-use platform
Tracks reading progress automatically—no paper logs or forgotten diaries
Motivates children with achievements, badges, and reading streaks
Saves teachers time with instant reports, insights, and goal tracking
Whether you’re planning a whole-school reading challenge or just want to see better engagement in Key Stage 1 and 2, Pageticker helps you create impact without adding workload. For families, our app turns reading into a shared celebration. Discover new books, set goals together, and make reading part of your home’s daily rhythm.
National Support, Local Impact
The campaign is being backed by over 30 influential organisations—including the Premier League, Arts Council England, the Publishers Association, and the Julia Rausing Trust. This level of cross-sector support is promising—but the real success will come down to how well reading is embraced in classrooms and at home.
One Page at a Time
The National Year of Reading 2026 is an opportunity. Not just to reverse the decline in literacy—but to create a new reading culture entirely. One that feels exciting, inclusive, and rooted in real daily life.
At Pageticker, we believe every child deserves to experience the joy of getting lost in a book. And with the right tools, support, and mindset, we can help them get there—one page at a time.
