In many secondary schools, building a genuine culture of reading can feel like an uphill struggle. Competing priorities, busy timetables and the perception that reading is “just for English lessons” can all stand in the way. And if you haven't got SLT support, it can be even harder.

Well in this National Year of Reading, we thought what better time to launch a Reading Pioneers Programme? Especially after we heard Julie Broadbent, Secondary School Librarian of the Year 2025 speak so powerfully about the impact it has had in her school.

What if the most powerful driver of reading culture isn’t a policy, a framework or even a teacher-led initiative?

What if it’s students themselves?

Welcome to the world of Reading Pioneers - a student-led approach that is quietly transforming reading engagement in secondary schools.

What Are Reading Pioneers?

At its simplest, a Reading Pioneers group is a student committee dedicated to promoting reading for pleasure across the school. But in practice, the most successful groups become something much more powerful: a visible, vocal and influential student movement.

What often begins as a small after-school club can grow into a recognised leadership group, shaping reading culture across year groups and even beyond the school gates.

From Small Beginnings to Whole-School Impact

One of the most striking aspects of successful Reading Pioneers programmes is how they start.

Not with a grand launch or a detailed strategy - but with a handful of enthusiastic students and a shared love of reading.

At Northampton International Academy, where Julie works, the group began with just three students and two staff members meeting after school. Three years later, it has grown to over forty members and is recognised by senior leaders and the wider trust as one of the school’s most impactful student groups.

This growth didn’t come from top-down direction, but from student ownership, energy and belief.

What Do Reading Pioneers Actually Do?

The strength of the model lies in its flexibility. Reading Pioneers respond to their school context - but common activities can include:

  • Championing Reading in School
  • Delivering assemblies on the importance and enjoyment of reading
  • Creating student-led displays and recommendations
  • Running book swaps and large-scale book giveaways
  • Supporting tutor-time or whole-school reading initiatives
  • Engaging with the Literary World
  • Shadowing major book awards such as the Carnegies, the CLiPPA, the UKLA Awards and more.
  • Reviewing books for publishers and platforms like LoveReading4Kids.
  • Attending author talks, workshops and national conferences
  • Hosting visiting authors and events in school

Extending Beyond the School

Reading Pioneers programmes are at their most powerful when they extend beyond the classroom, building meaningful connections with the wider community. By working with partner schools or across a trust, students can share ideas, collaborate on projects and amplify their impact.

Partnerships with local libraries and organisations further enrich this work, opening up access to events, expertise and wider reading networks.

Taking part in national reading initiatives adds a sense of scale and belonging, helping students feel part of something bigger. In the most impactful cases, these experiences evolve into projects that connect reading to real-world contexts - whether through community storytelling, social action or creative collaborations - bringing books to life in ways that are authentic, purposeful and deeply engaging.

Reading as a Force for Connection and Empathy

One particularly powerful example comes from Northampton's partnership with a local charity, where Reading Pioneers took part in an intergenerational storytelling project.

Students were paired with older members of the community, interviewing them and documenting their life stories. Over a series of sessions, these conversations were transformed into a curated exhibition, with each story preserved as part of a digital archive.

The impact was profound. Students developed confidence, empathy and communication skills, while participants felt heard, valued and connected.

It was a powerful reminder that reading and storytelling are not just academic skills. They are human ones.

What Makes Reading Pioneers So Effective?

For many teachers, the biggest surprise is just how powerful student-led reading can be.

Students involved in Reading Pioneers often:

  • Become passionate advocates for reading
  • Influence their peers more effectively than staff can
  • Take genuine pride in their role and responsibilities
  • Bring creativity and ideas that adults might not have considered

In short, they shift reading from something that is promoted to students, to something that is driven by them.

How to Launch a Reading Pioneers Group

The good news is that this approach is highly replicable.

Start Small

Begin with a small, diverse group of students. Enthusiasm matters more than reading ability.

Create Identity

Give the group a name, a purpose and visibility within the school. Recognition matters.

Focus on Early Wins

Simple, visible activities - such as book giveaways or displays - help build momentum quickly.

Step Back (Just Enough)

Staff play a crucial role, but the magic happens when students are given real ownership.

Build Outwards

As the group grows, expand into partnerships, events and larger projects.

A Shift in Mindset

Perhaps the most important takeaway is that a reading culture cannot be imposed. It absolutely has to be lived.

Reading Pioneers offer a way to make that happen. They create a space where students not only engage with books, but actively shape the reading culture of their school.

And in doing so, they remind us of something fundamental: when young people are trusted, empowered and inspired, they don’t just participate, they lead.

At LoveReading4Schools, we work closely with schools to help build sustainable, inclusive reading cultures.

From curated booklists and expert recommendations to supporting student voice and reading for pleasure, we can help schools develop and grow initiatives like Reading Pioneers - connecting young people with books they’ll genuinely want to read. If you'd like our support, get in touch on [email protected]