To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support (a) World Book Day and (b) initiatives that help ensure access to books for children regardless of (i) family circumstances, (ii) parents’ educational background and (iii) household income.
Answered on
7 March 2023
World Book Day is a memorable day for many children across the country. Knowing that strong literacy skills are hugely important, both as a pupil and later in life, the curriculum places a greater focus on reading and requires pupils to study a range of books, poems, and plays to encourage the development of a life long love of literature.
The Department’s reading framework, published in 2021, provides guidance to schools on the teaching of early reading. It supports teachers to ensure phonics is taught in a wider context and focuses on the contribution of talk and stories as well as phonics.
Young people may access books through their school or local library, free of charge. Individual schools decide how best to provide and maintain a library service for their pupils, including whether to employ a qualified librarian. Many head teachers recognise the important role school libraries play in improving literacy and encouraging pupils to read for pleasure and ensure that suitable library facilities are provided.