FOR TEACHERS · KS1 AND KS2
Reading for pleasure in primary: ideas that work
Every school wants children who choose to read. Dressing-up days and reading challenges help, but on their own they rarely change what children do at home. This guide pulls together what the DfE's reading framework and Ofsted say works, with a quick check you can use in a staff meeting.
By the Litsee team · Last reviewed · About this guide
The short answer: daily habits, not one-off events
The reading framework starts from a realistic place: “It is impossible to mandate that pupils read for pleasure, but teachers can inspire pupils and engage them in reading widely.” It goes on: “To nurture the reading habit, schools need a strategic approach rather than simply an eclectic mix of ‘reading for pleasure’ activities.” Competitions and dressing-up days can launch a new idea, but “these activities on their own are not enough to motivate all pupils to read regularly at home” (DfE reading framework).
There's room to grow. The National Literacy Trust's 2026 survey found: “More than 1 in 3 (36.1%) children and young people said they enjoyed reading in their free time, up from 32.7% in 2025.” (National Literacy Trust). And the Open University's Reading for Pleasure team, whose research the framework draws on, puts it simply: “We believe that Reading for Pleasure is the right of every child.” (Open University).
The five core strategies
The reading framework lists these core strategies to encourage sustained, voluntary reading:
- adults reading aloud regularly, including in class or form time
- informal book talk, including recommendations from peers and adults
- encouraging library use, including the local public library
- providing time to read
- sociable reading environments, reading together and sharing books.
(DfE reading framework.) None is complicated. All of them need protected time and adults who read.
Story time, every day if you can
Reading aloud isn't just for Reception. The framework says: “Teachers should consider providing story time for every key stage 2 class, at least four times a week for 20 minutes.” It adds that reading aloud to older pupils matters “even though pupils can now read independently” (DfE reading framework).
Choose books above most children's reading level, read with expression, and don't attach a worksheet. A class novel that leaves them begging for one more chapter is doing exactly what it should.
Class reading time
Independent reading time is the other half. The framework makes a case worth sharing with colleagues: “Class reading time is an equitable activity because every pupil, including those who do not read regularly at home, can learn to appreciate the benefits and pleasure of regular, sustained reading.” (DfE reading framework).
- Protect it on the timetable, so it isn't the first thing dropped.
- Make sure every child has a book they want to read, chosen by them.
- Use the time to listen to readers and help children choose, not to mark.
Promoting books
Children read what they hear about. The framework is direct: “In terms of influencing pupils’ reading, teachers are the best promoters.” Ofsted's English subject report found that “Many pupils are positive about their experiences of English, including ‘reading for pleasure’. Some pupils are keen to recommend books to each other and talk about opportunities to do this at school.” (Ofsted).
- Book talk: two-minute recommendations from staff and pupils, a “currently reading” sign on classroom doors.
- Book corners that sell books: “Time might therefore be better spent on selecting, displaying and promoting the books in the book corner than on decorating it.” (DfE reading framework)
- Rewards that are reading: the framework describes good practice where “Teachers emphasise the intrinsic rewards of reading for pleasure, rather than use extrinsic motivations, e.g. quizzes and prizes.”
- Libraries: regular visits to the school library, and links with the local public library.
For families, our guide to choosing books children want to read is free to share with parents.
A quick staff check
Run through these at a staff meeting. Answers stay on this page; nothing is saved or sent. The count shows where to start, not a score for the school.
0 of 8 answered
The national curriculum's aim for every pupil is to “develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information” (DfE national curriculum).
See interactive whiteboard stories for how that works.
Questions teachers ask
What are good reading for pleasure ideas for KS2?
The DfE's reading framework lists core strategies: adults reading aloud regularly, informal book talk and recommendations, library use, time to read, and sociable reading environments. It suggests story time for every KS2 class at least four times a week for 20 minutes.
How do you promote reading for pleasure in a primary school?
With a whole-school plan rather than one-off events. The reading framework says schools need a strategic approach, not an eclectic mix of activities, and that competitions and dressing-up days on their own aren't enough. Daily story time, class reading time and book talk do the heavy lifting.
Do reading rewards and quizzes help?
The reading framework describes good practice as emphasising the intrinsic rewards of reading rather than extrinsic motivations such as quizzes and prizes. Where rewards are offered, it suggests they are reading-based, such as a new book.
How much story time should KS2 classes have?
The reading framework says teachers should consider story time for every KS2 class at least four times a week for 20 minutes, and notes that reading aloud to older pupils matters even though they can read independently.
Sources
- The reading framework (Section 8: Developing a reading for pleasure culture) Department for Education, July 2023, updated 22 September 2023, checked 3 November 2026
- Telling the story: the English education subject report Ofsted, 5 March 2024, checked 3 November 2026
- Children and young people's reading in 2026 National Literacy Trust, 2026, checked 3 November 2026
- Reading for Pleasure The Open University Reading for Pleasure Research and Practice Coalition, 2026, checked 3 November 2026
- National curriculum in England: English programmes of study (key stages 1 and 2) Department for Education, September 2013, updated 16 July 2014, checked 3 November 2026
About this guide
Written by the Litsee team and checked line by line against the sources listed on this page.
This guide summarises the DfE reading framework's Section 8 and related sources for primary teachers. The staff check is our own, built on the framework's core strategies.
Spotted something wrong or out of date? Email info@litsee.com and we will fix it. Last reviewed: .
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