Time to Read
An update on Time to Read: Time to Read packs for children and schools in England will no longer be available from 2023/24 onwards.
Still have Time to Read 2022/23 packs featuring We're Going to Find the Monster?
Get information and tips on using the packs here
Why Time to Read packs are being discontinued
At BookTrust we have been evolving the way we inspire, reach and support children and families on their reading journeys through our partners.
Through our new strategy we've been investing in and prioritising support for low-income families because we know these children have more to gain from developing a regular reading habit that can transform their life chances. This includes working with our partners to offer families multiple opportunities to engage with reading during their children's early years.
In the context of our increased investment in early years reading support, we have had to make some difficult decisions at a time of rising costs.
We will no longer be offering Time to Read packs for children and schools in England.
We are immensely grateful for the support teachers and schools have provided us by sharing packs in the past and we are committed to working with you on new ways to support children on their reading journeys going forward.
Reading for pleasure is an important part of the primary school curriculum and we know teachers play a critical role in inspiring children on their reading journeys. Our own research shows that there is a big drop off in shared reading between children and families when children first start school and begin to learn to read independently.
We will take time to consider how we can best support children, particularly those from low-income families, as they begin their school journey. By engaging with schools on the shape of our support, we will ensure what we offer both supports teachers, schools and contributes to the development of strong reading habits in children.
BookTrust is wholly committed to supporting all children to read. We will continue to share with you the Great Books Guide along with recommended books and top tips to support the culture of reading in your school.
For the latest recommended books, themed booklists, tips and guidance from teachers and expert practitioners on how to develop a culture of reading in schools.
The Great Books Guide is published annually and features recommendations of 100 newly published books that would be a welcome addition to any classroom or school library.
Sign up for our virtual author events which bring diverse and representative authors and illustrators into the classroom. You can stream live or play back at a convenient time for you.
Find reading recommendations, tips and guidance from children's book experts including authors, teachers, librarians and more, with new content being added all the time.
Get all the information and resources you need to support your work with our Early Years offer - Bookstart Toddler, Bookstart Pre-schooler, and BookTrust Storytime.
Your Time to Read questions answered
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Why is Time to Read no longer available?
Through our new strategy we've been investing in and prioritising support for low income families because we know these children have more to gain from developing a regular reading habit that can transform their life chances. This includes working with our partners and investing in offering families multiple opportunities to engage with reading during their children's early years.
Our approach is to continuously review and evolve the support we provide to children and families and we use growing research and evidence to determine how our investment in reading support and resources can deliver the best outcomes for children on their reading journeys whilst offering value for money.
We have had to make some difficult decisions in the context of our increased investment in our early years reading programmes at a time of rising costs and that means we will no longer be able to offer Time to Read packs to children or schools in England anymore.
We will take time to consider how we can best support children, particularly those from low-income families, to continue to develop their reading habits during their school years.
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When will Time to Read end?
If you still have Time to Read packs featuring We're Going to Find the Monster please continue to share these packs and use the accompanying digital resources. We will no longer be offering new Time to Read packs in England from now on.
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Will BookTrust develop a replacement for Time to Read?
We will not be replacing Time to Read packs directly. We will take time to consider how we can best support children, particularly those from low-income families, to continue to develop their reading habits during their school years.
This work has already started and we will be working in collaboration with and engaging with schools, teachers and expert practitioners to explore this.
You can find a wealth of book recommendations and tips and guidance to support schools to build a culture of reading available now.
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When will new support for primary schools be available?
We will take time to consider how we can best support children, particularly those from low-income families, as they begin their school journey. By engaging with schools on the shape of our support, we will ensure what we offer both supports teachers and schools and contributes to the development of strong reading habits in children.
This work has already started but until it has progressed further we cannot put a firm timeline on any new activity.
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What other support for primary schools is available from BookTrust at this time?
- For the latest recommended books, themed booklists, tips and guidance from teachers and expert practitioners on how to develop a culture of reading in schools, check out our Books and Reading section
- The Great Books Guide features 100 newly published books that would be a welcome addition to any classroom or school library - take a look here
- Sign up for our BookTrust Represents virtual author events which bring diverse and representative authors and illustrators into the classroom. You can stream live or play back at a convenient time. Find out more here.
- Check out our Features, which include reading recommendations, top tips and guidance from authors, teachers, librarians and other children's book experts
- Try out Poetry Prompts, the flagship project from Waterstones Children's Laureate Joseph Coelho, designed to get young children excited about writing poetry with a video series and accompanying resources
- Find story time videos, drawalongs, free activity sheets and more on BookTrust HomeTime here.
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Will Time to Read be available in any other countries or regions?
Time to Read is funded by different sources in England and Northern Ireland. Discussions are underway about its potential continuation in Northern Ireland.
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How can I find out about new support available from BookTrust for primary schools?
The best way to keep up to date with all our latest news, developments, resources and guidance available is to sign up for our primary school newsletter - you can do that here.
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How can I get in touch with you about this?
We are very sorry that we have had to take the difficult decision to stop Time to Read and we know many people will be disappointed.
BookTrust is a charity with limited funds and we have to make difficult decisions about the support we provide and take every step we can to deliver maximum impact for children through our programmes and resources.
If you would like to give us feedback, you can view BookTrust's comments, compliments and complaints policy here.