Beyond the page: Why the ‘National Year of Reading’ must prioritise disadvantaged pupils

This year, the Education Secretary and the National Literacy Trust launched the ‘National Year of Reading’ campaign, aimed at tackling the worrying decline in reading for pleasure, which has dropped to its lowest level in over 20 years. In 2025 just 25% of boys and 39% of girls, aged 8-18, say they enjoy reading in their spare time.

While the campaign aims to get the whole nation reading, we must be explicit about who stands to gain the most. Research strongly suggests that reading for pleasure is one of the most powerful tools we have to dismantle educational inequality. But for the children we support, those facing disadvantage, the barriers to picking up a book are higher than ever.

The ‘silver bullet’ for social mobility

It is a striking statistic: reading enjoyment is a stronger predictor of a child’s educational success than their family’s income. When a child reads for pleasure, they aren’t just passing time; they are building the cognitive foundations for life. According to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), fostering this habit is a critical lever for social mobility. The potential impact is staggering – modelling suggests that if every child in the UK read daily, we could boost the economy by £4.6 billion annually.

Yet, for many disadvantaged pupils, “reading” has become synonymous with “stress” or “testing,” rather than discovery.

Breaking the barriers

If we want the ‘National Year of Reading’ to be a success, we must address the ‘Book Poverty’ currently impacting disadvantaged families:

• Resource gaps: Over 1 in 10 disadvantaged children do not own a single book. With the cost-of-living crisis, books have become a luxury many families simply cannot afford.
• The library lottery: Primary schools in deprived areas are significantly less likely to have dedicated library spaces, and community libraries continue to face closures.
• Lack of agency: Pupils often don’t have a choice over the texts they read and they’re often not aligned to their interests. Without autonomy and choice, reading feels like a chore rather than an escape.

Reading is often viewed as a task rather than a leisure activity. When we over-emphasise mechanics at the expense of magic, we lose the very pupils who need that spark the most.

Sparking the joy

At Action Tutoring, our approach avoids high-pressure ‘round-robin’ reading, which can induce anxiety. Instead, we focus on:

1. Tutor modelling: Tutors read aloud first, demonstrating fluency and expression. This reduces the ‘cognitive load’ for the pupil, allowing them to focus on the plot and characters rather than just decoding words.
2. Low-stakes engagement: Techniques like ‘echo reading’ and ‘paired reading’ create a safe space where mistakes don’t feel like failures.
3. Building connection: By using diverse, relevant extracts – from Wolf Wilder to modern stories – we help pupils find themselves in the pages.

One of our Year 6 pupils recently shared that she challenged herself to read 100 pages in a single day, inspired by a text we shared in a session. That isn’t just academic progress; it’s a life changed.

A call to action

As national attention turns toward literacy this year, disadvantaged pupils cannot be an afterthought. Targeting resources, funding, and programme design toward these children is not just a matter of equity – it is the most effective use of public investment.

If we truly want to close the attainment gap, we must place those facing the greatest barriers at the heart of the ‘National Year of Reading’. Only then can we ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has the chance to get lost in a new adventure.

Some inspiring charities who are doing great work to support pupils facing disadvantage with their reading include:

• Bookmark Reading.
• The Children’s Literacy Charity.
• Literacy Pirates.
• Chapter One.

Visit their sites to find out more.

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Three reasons to try tutoring before you train to teach

Whether your heart is set on a teaching career or you’re exploring if it’s right for you, volunteering as a tutor is one of the best ways to gain valuable experience and to start making a difference to the lives of young people. We’ve teamed up with our partners at Ambition Institute to bring you this collaborative post.

National education charities Ambition Institute and Action Tutoring have teamed up to help future teachers like you get started. Here are three ways tutoring can support your transition into teaching.

1. Start making a difference straight away

Many people choose teaching because they want to help shape the future for children and young people. If this mission motivates you, tutoring allows you to start making an impact right now. As a volunteer tutor, you’ll work directly with pupils who need extra support in English or maths. You’ll see their progress week by week – not just in their academic results, but in their confidence and motivation.

Both Ambition and Action Tutoring focus on helping pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds so you can be sure your time is making a difference where it matters most. You’ll help pupils build skills, boost their grades, and believe in themselves. The support you offer can be life-changing, and you’ll experience first-hand how rewarding it feels to help a young person succeed.

If you’ve already secured a place on Ambition’s Teacher Training programme, tutoring is a way to start making a difference before your training begins. If you’re still deciding, it’s a chance to see the rewards of working with young people and to confirm whether teaching is the right path for you.

2. Try out your teaching skills in a supported way

Tutoring gives you a taste of what it’s like to help young people learn, but in a small, supported way. There’s a big difference between leading a class every day and working with 2-3 pupils for an hour a week. Tutoring is a valuable stepping stone, helping you build the core skills you’ll need as a teacher.

You’ll practise explaining a subject you’re passionate about clearly, checking understanding, and guiding pupils through tasks. You’ll learn how to build rapport, adapt your approach, and respond to different learning styles. You’ll gain practical insights into how pupils learn, how the curriculum works, and how to celebrate progress. These are the foundations of great teaching, and tutoring gives you the space to develop them.

You don’t need previous experience – just commitment and enthusiasm. Action Tutoring provides induction, resources, and ongoing support, ahead of the strong support you’ll get on Ambition’s Teacher Training programme to increase your confidence and expertise.

If you’re already preparing for teacher training, tutoring keeps your skills fresh. If you’re still weighing up your options, it’s a way to experience teaching on a small scale and see if the role is right for you.

3. Gain valuable experience for your future career

Schools and teacher training providers look for candidates who understand the realities of working with young people. Tutoring gives you practical experience that sets you apart at a teacher training interview and helps you demonstrate your commitment to education.

Tutoring opens the door to the education sector in a manageable way. You’ll spend time tutoring in a school or online, immersing yourself in the environment and seeing what works for you. This will give you real examples to discuss at interview, showing your initiative and your ability to support pupils’ learning.

You’ll gain reassurance that teaching is right for you, or clarity if you decide to take a different path.

Ambition Institute and Action Tutoring: working together for young people

Ambition Institute and Action Tutoring share a mission: to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds achieve their potential.

If you’re thinking about teacher training, or you’ve already applied, volunteering as a tutor is a practical, rewarding way to get started. You’ll gain experience, develop your skills, and see for yourself how education can change lives and help pupils thrive.

Designed for aspiring teachers from all backgrounds, Ambition’s in-school Teacher Training programme offers practical classroom experience, expert training and personalised support. You’ll develop the skills and confidence you need to thrive as a teacher, while making a real difference to pupils’ lives from day one.

Take the next step

From application to your first session: Feeling confident and ready to make a difference

Deciding to volunteer is an exciting choice, especially at the start of a new year! However, we know that for many prospective tutors, that initial excitement is often accompanied by a few questions: Will I know what to teach? What if I’m not a “natural” teacher? Am I really qualified to help a pupil with their GCSEs?

At Action Tutoring, we believe that your desire to make a difference is the most important starting point. Our mission is to handle the rest. We have built a comprehensive support ecosystem designed to ensure that by the time you meet your pupils for that first session, you don’t just feel ready – you feel empowered.

1. The foundation: Initial Tutor Training

Your journey begins with our initial tutor training, a two-hour session specifically designed to bridge the gap between “volunteer” and “tutor.” We don’t expect you to arrive with a teaching degree; instead, we provide the tools you need.

Our training covers the essentials of high-impact tutoring, including:

• Building rapport: Strategies for connecting with young people and creating a positive learning environment.
• The Action Tutoring method: How to structure a tutoring session for maximum impact, moving from a ‘warm-up’ to core learning and reflection.
• Safeguarding: Ensuring you feel confident and compliant in our commitment to pupil safety.

Our induction training is an interactive experience where you can ask questions, hear from experienced tutors, and practice navigating real-world tutoring scenarios.

“The growth mindset that underpins the ethos of  Action Tutoring is reflective of my beliefs and I always feel well supported by the wonderful co-ordinators, the accessible training and the technical assistance when needed.”

Helen, volunteer English tutor

2. No planning required: Expertly designed workbooks

One of the biggest hurdles for tutors can be the “burden of planning.” With Action Tutoring, that burden is entirely removed.

We provide volunteers with carefully structured workbooks targeted at the subject and age group they’re working with, developed by curriculum specialists to align precisely with SATs and major GCSE exam boards. These aren’t just collections of worksheets; they are fully-fleshed session plans with tips for tutors as they go along.

• The tutor version: Your workbook mirrors the pupil’s version but includes “cheat sheets” – detailed notes on how to explain complex topics, advice on common misconceptions, and tips for stretching a pupil’s understanding.
• Targeted support: Because we provide a baseline assessment for every pupil, you will receive a “gap report” telling you exactly which workbook sessions to focus on. You aren’t guessing what the pupil needs; you are delivering exactly what will help them progress.

3. Online Training and Vedamo

If you choose to tutor remotely, the support is just as robust. We use Vedamo, a virtual classroom purpose-built for education. To ensure you feel “tech-ready,” we provide dedicated online training and access to a “sandbox” room where you can practice using the interactive whiteboard, highlighter tools, and pre-loaded digital workbooks.

In the virtual classroom, the “planning” is even easier – your materials are pre-loaded into the session, meaning you can focus entirely on the pupils and their work, rather than worrying about screen-sharing or file uploads.

Watch an example of an online tutoring session on YouTube:

4. Your support on the ground: the Programme Coordinator (PC)

Perhaps the most reassuring part of the Action Tutoring experience is that you are never alone. Every single programme is overseen by a dedicated Programme Coordinator (PC). Your PC is a member of Action Tutoring staff who is present during every session, physically in the classroom for some programmes and virtually for others.

Your PC handles the logistics: they manage pupil attendance, help with behavior management if needed, and are there to answer any “on-the-spot” questions you might have. They are your safety net, ensuring that your only job is to tutor.

“Once, a timid Year 7 pupil asked me a question on dividing fractions that wasn’t incorporated into the prepared slides provided by Action Tutoring. I liaised with the programme coordinator in advance of the next lesson, who sent me some additional resources to share. 

There was a noticeable development in his confidence and contributions in later sessions. It made me realise that I could make a difference to these young people.”

Susan, volunteer maths tutor

Ready to start?

When you join Action Tutoring, you aren’t just a volunteer; you are part of a professionally supported team.

From your very first application click to the moment your pupil achieves that “aha!” moment, we are with you. You bring the commitment; we’ll provide the confidence.