What is Teachers Love Reading?
This project is primarily about nurturing a love of reading amongst teaching professionals, so that they can then inspire their pupils to do the same.
This scheme is open to key stage 2 teachers. As the books on the discussion list are suitable for Years 5 and 6, we will give priority to teachers who teach at this age. Currently, this project is only open to Welsh-medium schools.
Exciting news – We are introducing the scheme to the Secondary Sector in September 2026, and there will be an opportunity for 20 schools to take part.
What are the benefits of the scheme?
The scheme supports the objectives at the heart of Curriculum for Wales. It will also enable and encourage schools to embrace a whole school ethos that places reading for pleasure at its core. As stated in the Languages, Literacy and Communication Area of Learning and Experience, ‘the literary experiences offered aim to spark learners’ imagination and creativity and help to build a lifelong love of literature.’
We strongly believe that it is important to provide opportunities for teaching professionals to engage, enjoy and explore the benefits of reading for pleasure as individuals. This will develop the teachers’ own empathy skills, fire their imagination, and enable them to pass this enthusiasm on to their pupils.
How does it work?
For the first time this year (2025-26), Gwawr Maelor from Bangor University has collaborated with us on the project to share her expertise and ideas, as well as offering reading strategies for teachers to try in the classroom.
We established three regional teacher reading groups, with the primary aim of enabling teachers to further develop their skills and confidence to discuss and enjoy literature, inspiring them to enjoy reading and discussing literature in class.
Teachers and schools that wish to participate in this project are required to commit to embedding reading for pleasure within their weekly timetables. For example, they will need to demonstrate that they have implemented regular shared reading sessions of approximately 20–30 minutes on selected texts with pupils.
How can I register to take part?
We will be running the Teachers Love Reading programme again in 2026-27, which will include secondary schools for the first time.
There will be four reading group sessions in each region during the 2026/27 academic year to discuss the books on the reading list. A facilitator will lead the sessions and encourage participation from all members. A contribution towards supply costs will be available in order to release the teachers from the school during normal working hours in the week.
Every teacher who commits will need to sign an agreement to attend every session. Session attendance is crucial to the success of the project.
Each school taking part in the reading group will receive a pack of carefully selected books, ranging from fiction and factual books to poetry and graphic novels.
REGISTRATION FOR 2026/27 WILL OPEN IN JUNE.
There will be space for 75 primary schools and 20 secondary schools to take part, allocated on a first come, first served basis, so make sure your school doesn’t miss out!