Take a minute to think about the impact reading has on your daily life. Reading permeates every aspect of our lives. Imagine if you couldn’t read or if reading was a challenge that frustrated you. What would you miss out on? What might you avoid?
The positive impact of being a good reader is well known. Not only does it impact attainment but also mental health, employment, empowerment and much more. Reading for pleasure was found to have a positive impact on all of the aspects in the graphic below:
Outcomes of Reading for Pleasure, The Reading Agency (2015)
However, the National Literacy Trust’s report Children and Young People’s Reading in 2024 has found that the percentage of children and young people who enjoy reading is its lowest since 2005. Just 1 in 3 children and young people aged 8 to 18 said that they enjoyed reading in their free time. You can read about what we think the sector needs to do to change this in our response to the research here.
Being able to read well is a right, and it is our duty as educators to ensure that every child becomes a good reader, who enjoys reading. That way they can benefit from the positive influences reading brings, rather than suffer the consequences of a life of poor reading. We need to ensure every child and young person leaves school able to read fluently and proficiently for life.
Having a strong and purposeful Reading curriculum is crucial to education at all levels. By developing students’ reading, both for purpose and pleasure, we can give them the very best chance to succeed, both at school and beyond. That’s why we developed the One Education Reading Award to support schools to get reading right, giving every child the tools they need to become great readers.
What is the One Education Reading Award?
The One Education Reading Award is a Reading quality standard for schools and settings. It is the only Reading quality mark which focuses on the full Reading curriculum offered by schools. Whether you want to improve your Reading offer or celebrate your achievements, the One Education Reading Award offers a straightforward process designed to support your individual needs. The award is designed for:
- Primary schools.
- Special schools, at both primary and secondary level.
- Settings that provide Alternative Provision.
- Secondary schools.
- All-through schools.
At the heart of the Reading Award is our criteria document which guides schools to develop their Reading provision. Our approach is split into three areas at the Primary phase:
- Reading for Decoding.
- Reading for Understanding.
- Reading for Enjoyment.
At the Secondary phase, these areas change to suit the particular demands of the curriculum:
- Reading for Fluency.
- Reading for Meaning.
- Reading for Enjoyment.
At both stages, the three central strands of reading are broken down into key objectives, making next steps clear to schools completing the award. The research-led criteria for each award is annually updated in line with the latest developments in reading, with the support of our partner schools. Sample criteria can be downloaded here.
“We’ve really enjoyed learning about how to develop the strength and precision of our reading provision, through following the guidance of each criteria. Reading has become an even more prominent feature of the school, as we have had more conversations, and more staff are aware of specifics around reading.”
Annabel Daniels, Head of English at St Thomas More Catholic School, Wood Green, London.
Why Choose the One Education Reading Award?
Reading is a crucial skill and one which needs careful nurturing if it is to thrive. The One Education Reading Award supports school to look critically at their Reading provision, celebrating their achievements and providing support to improve where needed. With access to amazing resources, CPD opportunities and visits to other Reading Award schools, the Reading Award is a truly supportive approach to continuous improvement. Click here to download a free sample resource pack.
“Undertaking the One Education Reading Award helped us to transform the Reading offer at Delamere. The consultants were extremely helpful in supporting us to review and refine what we were already doing, identify gaps in our provision, and think creatively about how to fill those gaps, particularly in the light of what was appropriate / going to work for us in a special school. The process has been really helpful to our literacy subject leader – her confidence has grown enormously, and she has learned how to think more strategically. Most of all, we have seen steady improvements in children’s attainment data and we now have a strong reading culture at Delamere.”
Sally Judge, Headteacher at Delamere School, Flixton.
By completing the Reading Award, you are showing the world that your school values the importance of Reading and is working hard to ensure all children have access to excellent Reading provision.
What does a Reading Award journey look like?
Once their subscription starts, schools can access the award criteria and resources immediately, along with support from their Reading Award consultant. We suggest that all schools begin by evaluating their current practice against the criteria and initial assessment to identify strengths and next steps, and then choose which level of the Reading Award to work towards:
- Bronze: good provision is evident in Reading.
- Silver: excellent provision is evident in Reading.
- Gold: excellent provision is embedded across all areas of Reading.
Throughout the year, schools have access to their dedicated Reading Award consultant. Schools can guide their own development, or choose to also purchase bespoke in-school support from one of our Reading specialists. Our consultants are experts in their field and can offer targeted guidance and training to suit your needs across the subject. Examples of recent Reading Award support sessions include: developing long term planning; providing CPD on the teaching of reading fluency; conducting pupil and stakeholder voice and much more.
“The reading award has had a huge impact on reading at St James’. Since working towards the reading award and reviewing our current reading offer, we have had the opportunity to look at reading at St James’ with a fresh pair of eyes. The support from Laura and the One Education Team, we have seen a huge increase in parental engagement with reading. This is impacting on how our parents read with their children at home and outcomes for children. Children are talking the lead for reading in school and are supporting other children with their reading choices. Pupil voice shows that reading is a priority and at the forefront of everything we do.”
James Rolt, Headteacher at St James’ Church of England Primary School, Ashton-Under-Lyne.
At the end of the year, schools upload their final assessment and evidence to our secure online review hub, where the school’s dedicated Reading Award consultant evaluates the evidence provided against the award criteria, and processes the award.
On completion, schools receive a personalised plaque, logo and letterhead to use that celebrates their achievements. Reading Award accreditation lasts for three years, with schools being able to renew their accreditation using a streamlined quality assurance process, or work towards a higher level of the award when they are ready to move on with their provision.
What do our Reading Award schools say?
More information can be found by viewing our free Reading Award webinar below, which also includes plenty of tips for how to encourage a reading culture in your school.
If you are interested in becoming a Reading Award school, please contact our Literacy Team Leader, Laura Buczko laura.buczko@oneeducation.co.uk to find out more.
Please complete the form below and we will get in contact as soon as we can to help you with your query.
