Links for Primary Schools

Enjoying Reading

This section brings together key organisations, activities and resources to promote partnership working between primary schools and school libraries, schools library services and public libraries. Links are divided into four categories:

Schools, education and curriculum

  • Primary National Strategy
    Select your role (e.g. coordinator, key stage 1 teacher) and find tailored materials to help you deliver the Primary National Strategy.
  • Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
    Search by your role, information need or area of work in this information and resource packed site.
  • Ofsted
    Download inspection reports, look at the latest research and keep up with news on the Ofsted website.
  • Department for Children, School and Families
    Explore the key government department responsible for schools policies.
  • Every Child Matters
    Find out how this major government initiative promotes multi agency working (for example, libraries and schools) to achieve the ‘five outcomes’.
  • Teachernet
    Download case studies, search for projects and network with colleagues in the teaching community.
  • School Library Association
    Identify publications, training courses and events for the school library community. Also offers advice and support to members.
  • Strongest Links
    A practical website for school librarians. Support for UK school librarians, information literacy and children’s literacy and reading.

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Libraries and literacy

  • RNIB National Library Service
    Information about books and other reading materials in a range of formats for visually impaired children and young people.
  • National Year of Reading
    The 2008 National Year of Reading website offers resources and ideas to promote reading for pleasure and purpose.
  • National Literacy Trust
    News updates, government approaches, research, statistics, initiatives - including reading initiatives - and resources for those working in the primary and secondary sectors
  • Their Reading Futures The host site for Enjoying Reading; full of practical resources, ideas and learning techniques which primary school teachers may find interesting and helpful.
  • World Book Day
    Resources and events linked to the annual World Book Day.
  • Book Trust
    All Book Trust’s National Programmes and Campaigns (Children’s Book Week, Writing Together, BookedUp), news on books, prizes and awards plus resources for schools.
  • The United Kingdom Literacy Association
    Promotes good practice nationally and internationally in language teaching and flags up conferences and events related to literacy. 
  • British Library Children's Literature
    Stories, nursery rhymes, fairy stories and verse, as well as primers and readers, textbooks, prayer books and alphabet books are traceable through the British Library online catalogue.
  • Stories from the Web
    A site for young people, by young people, and by libraries working with young people. Very interactive, with book reviews, stories and activities, all encouraging young people's reading and their input to the site.
  • Society of Chief Librarians
    SCL takes a leading role in the development of public libraries and supports libraries to work more closely with schools.
  • Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)
    The site for the professional librarian community in the UK. Publications include School Libraries in View and Youth Libraries Review.  Find out about the Youth Libraries Group, a special interest group within CILIP.
  • Association of Senior Children's and Education Librarians
    National membership network which stimulates and responds to initiatives relating to children and young people in public libraries and education services.
  • DirectGov Home & Community (Libraries)
    Find your nearest local library service here.

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Books and reading

  • Children’s Book Trust UK
    Free guidance, resources and recommendations for teachers, librarians and parents about books for young people of all ages.
  • Reading is Fundamental
    Up-to-date news of reading initiatives across the UK and how to make them happen near you.
  • Write Away
    Read author interviews, download  teaching guides for books categorised by Key Stage and find book reviews categorised by age group from 0 to 16+ years.
  • Achuka
    'The chock-full, eyes-peeled, independent children's book site'. Up-to-date reviews, opinions and news about children's books and children's book people.
  • Barrington Stoke
    Especially for young reluctant readers, with sections for teachers, librarians and parents packed full of tips for making reading matter.
  • Carnegie Greenaway Awards
    Visit the Living Archive of past winners and the Carnegie/Greenaway shadowing site with young people's reviews of the titles shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals.
  • Mrs Mad’s Book-O-Rama
    Highly idiosyncratic review site with activities and jokes too, for children and young adults, teachers, parents, and librarians.
  • Reading the Game
    Get ideas for linking football and fiction – and details of schemes with a league club near you. Find details of reading champions and role models here too.
  • Writing Together
    Download a step-by-step guide to planning a writer visit. Find writers who are experienced at working in schools. Read case studies of writer in school projects.
  • Children’s Literature Web Guide
    All you'll ever need to know about children's books and authors – but set aside a day to surf your way through it all.

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Reading and the cultural sector

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