About the project

Co-designing a programme, with children and teachers, to inspire and sustain a love of reading

Love to Read is a school-based programme to increase primary school children’s reading enjoyment, motivation and engagement.  Funded by the Nuffield Foundation, the programme was developed in collaboration between researchers and teachers, with input from children and other education professionals.  Initial evidence of promise led to evaluation in a randomised controlled trial.

Programme Development and Initial Evaluation (2021-2023)

Drawing on theoretical and empirical ‘reading for pleasure’ research, the Love to Read programme is underpinned by six research-informed principles: access, choice, time, connection, social and success, with insights from children and teachers informing the final programme content.  Following an acceptability and feasibility study, evidence of promise was found, particularly for those children starting the programme with low levels of reading engagement. See the ‘project reports and publications’ page for reports, academic publications and recorded talks based on the development and initial evaluation of the programme.

Team:

Researchers: Professor Sarah McGeown (Principal Investigator, University of Edinburgh), Dr Emily Oxley (Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Edinburgh), Professor Jessie Ricketts (Co-Investigator, Royal Holloway, University of London), Dr Laura Shapiro (Co-investigator, Aston University)

Project partners: Christina Clark (Director of Research, National Literacy Trust), Megan Dixon (Headteacher), Helen Fairlie (Senior Education Officer, Education Scotland), Katrina Lucas (Primary school teacher), Katherine Wilkinson (Head of Research and Evaluation, Scottish Book Trust)

Teacher co-design team: Katie Juckes, Carol Ann Neil, Chereen Rain, Claire Sleath, Emily Weston, Chris Youles

Expert Advisory Group: Professor Teresa Cremin, James Clements, Professor Mel Ramdarshan Bold + more

Funder: Nuffield Foundation

Programme Evaluation (RCT) (2026-2028)

Drawing upon contemporary research, the programme and resources are being refined for delivery at scale, and evaluation within a randomised controlled trial.  See ‘Programme Evaluation 2026-2028’ for further information and ‘Take Part!’ for information on how to get involved.

Team:

Researchers: Dr Miriam McBreen (Principal Investigator, Institute of Education, UCL), Dr Jamie Lingwood (Co-Investigator, Liverpool Hope University), Professor Sarah McGeown (Co-Investigator, University of Edinburgh)

Funder: Nuffield Foundation

Love to Read Libraries (2023-2024)

Working with library professionals and library organisations, the Love to Read programme was revised for use in public libraries to support children’s reading motivation and engagement beyond schools.  See ‘Love to Read Libraries’ for the programme and resources which are free to use.

Team:

Researchers: Professor Sarah McGeown (University of Edinburgh), Nicola Currie (University of Edinburgh) and Charlotte Webber (University of Edinburgh)

Practice partners: Robin Crawshaw (Reading Development, Lancashire Library Service), Catherine Lindow (Library Professional, Edinburgh City Council), Éadaoín Lynch (Scottish Book Trust), Sean McNamara (Chartered Institute of Librarians and Information Professionals Scotland)

Funder: Nuffield Foundation

Love to Read Reception (2023-2024)

Supporting children’s reading enjoyment, motivation and engagement at school-entry is essential.  Love to Read Reception drew upon the original Love to Read programme (2021-2023) to embed research-informed principles in reception year contexts.

Team:

Researchers: Dr Jamie Lingwood (Liverpool Hope University) and Professor Sarah McGeown (University of Edinburgh)

Project partner: Dr Christina Clark (National Literacy Trust)

Funder: Education Endowment Foundation