Teachers in Welsh-language schools across Wales are invited to register for the 2026/27 Books Council of Wales Teachers Love Reading programme, following the success of the scheme this year.
Teachers Love Reading is a free training and development opportunity for primary and secondary school teachers teaching Years 3-7. The project supports teaching professionals to nurture a love of reading, so that they can then inspire their pupils to do the same. In specially tailored sessions across the school year, participants have opportunities to discuss and enjoy great books from Wales, develop skills and confidence around reading and discussing literature, and nurture a love of reading in the classroom.
This scheme is open to Welsh-medium primary and secondary schools in 2026/27.
Benefits of the scheme
Funded by Welsh Government through Dysgu, the Teachers Love Reading 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.’
Bethan Jones, Head of Children’s Books and Reading Promotion at the Books Council of Wales said: “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. Teachers Love Reading can help participants to develop their own empathy skills, fire their imagination, and enable them to pass this enthusiasm on to their pupils.”
Teacher Ffion Jones from Ysgol Glan Morfa, who participated in the scheme this year, said: “As a result of the scheme, I feel much more confident when planning activities for reading for pleasure. I now have more strategies and resources to create inspiring reading experiences that appeal to a variety of learners. The children’s response was extremely positive; they have benefited greatly from the scheme and have come to see that reading can be enjoyable and something to look forward to, rather than just a formal task. Their enthusiasm has grown, and this is clearly evident in their behaviour and engagement with books.”
How does it work?
Gwawr Maelor from Bangor University is collaborating with the Books Council on the project and leading the workshops to share her expertise and ideas, as well as offering reading strategies for teachers to try in the classroom.
In 2025/26 the programme ran across three regional teacher reading groups, with the primary aim of enabling teachers to discuss and share ideas with each other in order to motivate and inspire learners to enjoy literature and reading for pleasure.
Gwawr Maelor, Lecturer in Education, Bangor University North Wales School of Education said: “It was an eye-opening experience to be in the company of the national Teachers Love Reading community! It was wonderful to see teachers putting their own stamp on research-informed reading strategies to encourage children to speak openly and confidently about all kinds of reading. Onwards with the Wales Pupils’ Reading Recommendation Club!”
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.
From 2026, Teachers Love Reading is funded by Dysgu through the Curriculum for Wales Grant Support Programme.
Dysgu said: “Dysgu is proud to support professional learning that empowers educators, enriches teaching and learning, and brings the Curriculum for Wales to life for learners across Wales. This programme is a key part of the national commitment to developing confident practitioners who can foster a genuine love of reading through the medium of Welsh. By connecting research-informed practice with rich Welsh literature, Dysgu are supporting educators to build vibrant reading cultures that inspire learners’ curiosity, creativity and lifelong engagement with language and literature.”
How to register
Registration for Teachers Love Reading 2026/27 is now open – complete this form to register your interest:
Cofrestru Athrawon Caru Darllen (Survey Monkey opens in new window)
There will be four reading group sessions in each region during the 2026/27 academic year to discuss the books on the reading list. Some sessions are held in person, and some are virtual. 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.
REGISTER HERE FOR 2026/27
Cofrestru Athrawon Caru Darllen (Survey Monkey opens in new window)
There will be space for 75 Welsh-medium primary schools and 20 Welsh-medium secondary schools to take part, so make sure your school doesn’t miss out! Registration closes on Friday 26 June.