BookTrust 01 October, 2024

BookTrust research reveals that childhood reading enjoyment declines as children progress through primary school – but teachers can make a big difference.

BookTrust’s family survey has revealed that children’s enjoyment of reading declines through primary school, with Waterstones Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce saying that the findings concern him “greatly”.

The study found that while 33% of 7-year-olds say they ‘love’ reading, this drops to 29% at age 10 and further declines to just a quarter (25%) by age 11.

The survey results come shortly after it has been revealed that while reading achievement for school pupils in England is higher than the international average, shockingly, the country ranks in the bottom third worldwide for childhood reading enjoyment.

BookTrust also surveyed almost 3000 primary school teachers in England, finding that teachers’ concern about levels of reading enjoyment among their pupils increases as children progress through primary school. Around 48% of Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 teachers express concern over reading enjoyment levels in their class, but this continues to rise to 63% of Key Stage 2 teachers.

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