Two national literacy charities join forces to scale shared mission for excellence in literacy education in the UK and internationally

On Sunday 1 June 2025, the National Literacy Trust and the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) announced that CLPE is to become a subsidiary charity of the National Literacy Trust, effective immediately.

As parent organisation, the National Literacy Trust will help CLPE to continue and grow its important work and to expand its reach while retaining the CLPE brand. By joining forces and combining resources, expertise and networks, the new structure aims to turbo-charge the charities’ combined impact on literacy education in the UK and internationally.

With decades of combined experience and expertise, the organisations will work together to develop and deliver the highest standard of literacy education and a strengthened training offer to teachers from primary through to adult education, build on a shared commitment to researching and promoting diversity in children’s books and EDI in the classroom and explore new approaches to promoting CLPE’s library for teachers.

Jonathan Douglas, Chief Executive, National Literacy Trust, said, “The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education is a hugely respected charity very much aligned to the National Literacy Trust’s mission and values. Their expert teacher training programmes, research about the representation of ethnicities in children’s books (Reflecting Realities) and library of children’s literature are extraordinary assets that play an important role in supporting teachers across the UK and promoting children’s literacy."

He continued, “Partnerships form the backbone of the National Literacy Trust’s way of working. Together, we can close the UK’s literacy gap, and I am incredibly excited for CLPE to become a part of our organisation and to strengthen our combined impact.”

Catherine Rose, Chair of Trustees, CLPE, said, “There is an incredible synergy and significant potential to be realised by combining both CLPE and the National Literacy Trust’s respective knowledge, assets and experience. Together with the shared understanding of everything that a child gains from being able to read well and being well read."

Catherine continues, “At this pivotal time for literacy in schools and the wider curriculum, CLPE is delighted to be able to secure this unique opportunity, through this purposeful partnership with National Literacy Trust, to significantly expand our combined reach and impact to thousands more children and transform our charitable endeavours for the next 50 years.”

Against a backdrop of a national reduction in reading and writing for pleasure with high numbers of children and young people leaving school without the reading and writing skills they need to thrive, as well as a climate of budget constraints in the third sector, the consolidation of the literacy charities sets a precedent for collaboration, cohesion and partnership to deliver greater change.

Joanna Prior, Chair of Trustees, National Literacy Trust, said, “I have long admired the work Centre for Literacy in Primary Education does to transform the life chances of thousands of children through supporting teacher development, greater representation in children’s literature and more opportunities to read and am therefore delighted to welcome CLPE to the National Literacy Trust family."

Joanna continues, "CLPE becoming a part of the National Literacy Trust presents a real opportunity for two organisations with shared values and a shared mission to make an even greater difference to the lives and the futures of children and young people growing up in the UK today.”

All CLPE staff will remain with the exception of Chief Executive, Rebecca Eaves, who now moves on from the organisation. Their roles will be integrated into the National Literacy Trust’s existing structure under the management of the National Literacy Trust’s Senior Leadership Team.

Catherine Rose added, “The Trustees of CLPE would like to sincerely thank Rebecca for her stellar leadership of the charity since her appointment as CEO in 2024. Rebecca has been a passionate and dedicated advocate of the CLPE’s work and has been instrumental in securing CLPE to become a part of the National Literacy Trust. She has steered the organisation to a place that now presents an enormous opportunity for both charities. We wish Rebecca the very best for the future.”

The CLPE’s brand identity and National Portfolio Organisation status with Arts Council England will be retained, as well as its training and research programmes and the CLiPPA poetry awards.

CLPE’s extensive children’s library at its Webber Street home will remain open as a valuable resource for teachers as well as a work, event and library space.

@Literacy_Trust | @clpe1