At a session in mid-May 2026, the UK government education committee welcomed industry experts to explore the rapid decline in children reading for pleasure and heard from experts on what steps the government can take to reverse this trend.
Associate professor of primary education at the University of Greenwich Roger McDonald spoke to the committee about the work of the United Kingdom Literacy Association and The Open University Reading for Pleasure Quality Mark.
The Reading for Pleasure Quality Mark (RfP QM) is a national initiative developed through the United Kingdom Literacy Association in partnership with the Open University.
The programme is co-led by Associate Professor McDonald alongside Professor Teresa Cremin from the OU.
The Quality Mark emerged from a growing recognition that, while reading attainment remains a major focus in schools, children and young people’s enjoyment of reading has continued to decline nationally.
Schools taking part in the RfP QM engage in a structured process of review, development and evaluation using a research-informed framework and sustained mentoring support.
The focus is on helping schools reflect critically on their current provision across areas such as reading aloud, knowledge of children’s literature, social reading environments, and understanding children as readers.
Since the pilot in 2023/24, over 70 schools across primary and secondary phases have engaged with the programme. Following a successful expansion into secondary education this year, we now have a specialist mentor team supporting schools through the process.
Schools achieving the highest awards also contribute to wider professional learning by sharing practice regionally and nationally.
Associate Professor McDonald said:
“Thank you to the Committee for the opportunity to contribute to such an important discussion.
“It was encouraging to discuss how schools can create rich reading communities where children see themselves as readers, encounter diverse voices and stories, and experience the connection, belonging and imagination that reading can offer.”
The session is available to watch here
