Looking for some inspiration to get 2025 off to a flying start? Why not take advantage of some of the projects and programmes on offer from the wider world of literacy?

Whether you are looking to promote reading for pleasure, encourage speaking and listening skills or provide an opportunity for pupils’ own writing, we have pulled together a selection of projects for primary and secondary schools to help you achieve your literacy goals.

1. Promote a whole-school culture of reading for pleasure

Create a community of readers by signing up for this year’s Spark! Book Award. With categories that cover picture books for younger readers through to teen fiction (11-14), this reading for pleasure project provides the opportunity for pupils of all ages to read, discuss and vote for their favourite book from shortlists selected by panels of teachers and librarians. The project runs from January to June with online author visits and competitions available to engage readers and create a real buzz around the books. Register now ahead of the shortlist announcements on 16th January.

2. Develop disciplinary literacy and key research skills

Sign up for this term’s STEM Reading Challenge from the National Literacy Trust to encourage pupils aged 7-14 to read more widely and and develop their research skills as they explore the issues affecting the Earth’s water resources before designing a campaign poster to encourage people to protect Our Blue Planet.

3. Encourage reading for pleasure and awareness of others

Join primary and secondary schools across the country for a Readathon sponsored read in the last week of January to help raise money to provide books and storytelling sessions for children in hospital. With a free Tool Kit and exclusive author videos, the Readathon is designed to be a fun and inclusive event that encourages pupils to read whatever they enjoy. In addition, schools get 20% of the money they raise to spend on books at Scholastic Book Clubs and there are additional book prizes worth £6000 to be won.

4. Bring the world of stories into your classroom

Join the Story Seekers in their mission to find, tell and share stories from around the world. This creative literacy project for primary aged pupils is free to access and comes with CPD and a supporting toolkit of both written and digital resources by professional storytellers and theatre artists.

5. Inspire young writers

Sign up for the new Wicked Writers: Be the Change competition and encourage pupils aged 9-14 to write persuasively about a positive change they would like to see in their local community. Taking part in a writing competition can improve engagement and enjoyment and the NLT is providing free supporting resources. Prizes include book bundles, writing workshops and class trips to see Wicked at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre. The competition opens on 13th January.

6. Engage your reluctant readers

Graphic novels and manga can be a great way into reading for more reluctant readers, so why not set up a reading group to help choose the winners for this year’s Excelsior Award? Young judges have until 8th April 2025 to read, review and vote for their favourite titles and there are four age categories to choose from, covering readers aged 9-18.

7. Create a generation of informed and engaged global citizens

Help pupils aged 10-16 develop essential critical thinking and communication skills through informed discussion about current affairs with Topical Talk. Start the year by exploring five issues that journalists predict will have a major impact on the world in 2025 and take advantage of the free weekly resources to build cultural capital and create a new generation of engaged and informed young citizens.

8. Empower pupils through poetry

There is still time to sign up for this year’s Poetry by Heart competition. Open to all primary and secondary schools in England, this poetry speaking competition was set up to help young people engage with poetry in a fun and accessible way while also promoting self-confidence and key oracy skills. The competition is free to enter and there are lots of supporting resources provided, including a regular online forum with the organisers and other participating schools.

9. Celebrate your confident readers

Could your pupils become this year’s National Reading Champions? If you have keen readers aged 10-14 who are prepared to take on teams from across the country to test their book knowledge, there is still time to sign up for this year’s National Reading Champions Quiz. Regional heats take place in February and March and the deadline for registration is 31st January. But hurry, places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.