Literacy Link event sparks collaborations for National Year of Reading
The Department for Education has today published the final report from the Curriculum and Assessment Review. There’s much to digest – including important recommendations for literacy education – and we’ll be sharing our full response in the coming days. Keep an eye on our social media channels for updates.
The National Year of Reading
2026 will be a National Year of Reading. The National Literacy Trust, in partnership with the Department for Education, have recently launched the campaign to support this and the message is simple: “If you’re into it, read into it”. It aims to reignite a nationwide love of reading by showing how it connects to the things we already enjoy. There is so much potential to inspire and motivate the children and young people least likely to read and access the benefits of reading across 2026.
At the Fair Education Alliance, we share this mission to close the literacy gap and ensure every child can experience the joy of reading. No matter what your organisational focus is, you can use this as an opportunity across 2026 to inspire the children, young people, families and professionals you work with.
Through our Literacy Thematic Collaboration and the Literacy Link network, we’re bringing partners together to make the most of this national moment in 2026. Amy Lewis, Head of Coram Beanstalk, shares her reflections on the recent autumn gathering of The Literacy Link – a network of children’s reading charities and aligned partners working to strengthen the ecosystem of literacy organisations across England to achieve better reading outcomes for all children and young people. The Fair Education Alliance acts as the backbone organisation for this network, as part of our Collective Action work on literacy.
The Literacy Link Autumn Gathering
Written by Amy Lewis, Head of Coram Beanstalk and co-chair of the Literacy Link
“With brightly coloured children’s books lining the walls, there could not have been a more fitting venue for The Literacy Link Autumn Gathering, than the CLPE library space. Fifty people filled the room, representing a range of organisations - from multi-talented (and multi-tasking) two-person teams to the multi-million pound ‘big players’. Yet all of us shared a common goal: to get children reading more.
The Literacy Link network exists to provide a space for connection, reflection and collaboration for charities working towards that goal. By facilitating both in-person and online meet-ups, it helps people from across the sector to build and strengthen relationships. With a rotating steering group, we’ll bring together a blend of voices and experiences to drive the network forward.
Monday’s event gave us time to listen, reflect and explore how being part of the network could amplify and enhance our collective work. “Let’s look at how we can signpost to other organisations,” someone suggested. “Let’s collaborate on funding bids,” said another. “Let’s make social media more social”.
A key part of the afternoon was an information session on the National Year of Reading 2026. With shared goals and emerging plans revealed, the follow-up table discussions gave people a chance to consider tangible actions they could take forward.
I’m excited about the future of this network. Individuals have the power to make change, but that power grows when we come together. On Monday, I saw connections forming, trust building and collaboration taking shape. The Literacy Link is working and if you’re not already involved, now’s the time to join us.”
How to get involved
Find out more and sign up to join our Literacy Thematic Collaboration
Watch the Go All In campaign video below
Make sure your organisation’s CEO or a senior leader is signed up to attend our Fair Education Summit on 8 December, where the National Year of Reading will feature.
