Supporting leaders, teachers and librarians to get teenagers reading for pleasure

Building whole-school reading for pleasure cultures that last.

I work with secondary schools to provide the expertise, training and resources they need to build a meaningful, lasting reading for pleasure culture and get your students reading. 

What I offer
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Design 1 – Why reading for pleasure matters

Twenty-year low

The latest research shows that young people’s reading habits are at their lowest in two decades.

Proven impact

The benefits of reading for pleasure include improved academic outcomes, mental wellbeing and long-term life chances.

Sustainable strategy

One-off initiatives are not enough – schools need an approach that embeds reading for pleasure across the whole school.

Why reading for pleasure matters

Twenty-year low

The latest research shows that young people’s reading habits are at their lowest in two decades.

Proven impact

The benefits of reading for pleasure include improved academic outcomes, mental wellbeing and long-term life chances.

Sustainable strategy

One-off initiatives are not enough – schools need an approach that embeds reading for pleasure across the whole school.

Design 3 – Why reading for pleasure matters

Twenty-year low

The latest research shows that young people’s reading habits are at their lowest in two decades.

Proven impact

The benefits of reading for pleasure include improved academic outcomes, mental wellbeing and long-term life chances.

Sustainable strategy

One-off initiatives are not enough – schools need an approach that embeds reading for pleasure across the whole school.

Design 4 – Why reading for pleasure matters

Twenty-year low

The latest research shows that young people’s reading habits are at their lowest in two decades.

Proven impact

The benefits of reading for pleasure include improved academic outcomes, mental wellbeing and long-term life chances.

Sustainable strategy

One-off initiatives are not enough – schools need an approach that embeds reading for pleasure across the whole school.

How I support your school

Expertise

Eighteen years’ experience of working in education as an English teacher and leader, a Masters in Children’s Literature and a deep knowledge of the research around reading for pleasure.

Training

Practical, evidence-informed workshops and professional development for leaders, teachers and librarians – designed to make an immediate difference.

Resources

Bespoke action plans, lesson frameworks, practical models and reading strategies, all tailored to your school’s context and priorities.

Anna Szpakowska – Founder of Get Them Reading

How I support your school

Expertise

Eighteen years as an English teacher and leader, a Masters in Children’s Literature and a deep knowledge of the research around reading for pleasure.

Training

Practical, evidence-informed workshops and professional development for leaders, teachers and librarians – designed to make an immediate difference.

Resources

Bespoke action plans, lesson frameworks, practical models and reading strategies, all tailored to your school’s context and priorities.

What challenges does this help schools solve?

I work with schools facing a range of challenges, including:

Low student engagement with reading
Declining reading habits among teenagers
Difficulty finding effective, lasting strategies
Low staff confidence in promoting reading for pleasure
Research consistently shows that reading for pleasure significantly improves academic outcomes, mental wellbeing and long-term life chances. It is one of the strongest indicators of future success in young people – stronger even than family background or socioeconomic status.

Testimonial

“Anna’s knowledge of young adult fiction is second to none.  Her enthusiasm and total joy for reading for pleasure is obvious to all who meet her. Her expertise and guidance proved invaluable in supporting me to get more young people engaged with reading.”
Lara CowanSchool Librarian, Park View School

How I work with schools

Partnerships

I offer three partnership tiers, each designed to meet your school where it is and take you where you need to be.

Half-term partnership

Foundations
Partnership

For schools taking their first strategic steps to a reading for pleasure culture.

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Whole-term partnership

Sustained
Development

For schools ready to move from aspiration to embedded practice.

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Two-term partnership

Whole School
Transformation

For schools seeking deep, sustainable change in culture and practice.

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CPD workshops for your team

As well as longer partnerships, I offer three focused workshops that can be booked as standalone sessions or as part of a wider programme. Each is practical, research-informed and immediately applicable.

Whole-school reading for pleasure culture

For senior leaders and heads of English.


Explore the research, see what effective practice looks like and leave with a concrete action plan.

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Read aloud: the power of bringing texts to life

For English departments and subject teachers.

Build confidence reading aloud and leave with strategies to bring texts to life for young people.

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Designing lessons for the enjoyment of text

For English departments, subject teachers and librarians.

Design lessons built around exploration, discussion and genuine enjoyment of reading.

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Ready to get your students reading?

Book a free 15-minute call – no commitment, just a conversation about how I can support your school.

Book a free call
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