March brings longer days, the first signs of spring and a renewed sense of energy across schools. It’s the perfect moment to celebrate growth, renewal and, of course, reading. This spring, we encourage schools to embrace the National Year of Reading and its Go All In theme, making reading visible, exciting and a central part of everyday school life. World Book Day provides the ideal opportunity to combine these celebrations, bringing stories, books and shared reading to the forefront of school life.  The Go All In theme encourages schools to think creatively about how reading is celebrated, modelled and embedded. Rather than seeing World Book Day as a standalone event, it can be used as a springboard to inspire wider reading engagement throughout the school year. By connecting World Book Day to the National Year of Reading, schools can create a culture where reading is joyful, valued and shared.

One way to bring this to life is by widening the circle of reading role models. Children are more likely to engage with reading when they see adults around them reading and talking about books with enthusiasm. Staff might share books linked to their own hobbies or passions, whether that’s football, gardening, space, art, or music. Seeing adults read books connected to real-life interests shows children that reading is relevant, enjoyable, and connected to the wider world.  External visitors can also bring reading to life. Firefighters, scientists, artists, engineers, healthcare workers or sports coaches could read stories connected to their jobs or passions, helping children make links between books, the world around them and their own aspirations. These experiences highlight that reading is not just a classroom activity, but something that inspires curiosity and imagination in everyday life.

Schools can also take advantage of a wide range of online World Book Day events, including author readings, illustrator sessions, and virtual assemblies. These free resources can complement in-school celebrations or be revisited throughout the term to maintain momentum and reinforce the National Year of Reading message. Details can be found on the World Book Day website.

At Roade English Hub, we are also inviting schools to show us how they are celebrating World Book Day by going all in on reading. Share photos and videos of your events, creative reading activities, staff and visitor reads, or book displays on Instagram and tag us at @roade_englishhub. We love seeing your ideas and sharing them with our wider community.

Linking World Book Day celebrations to the National Year of Reading ensures that reading is celebrated beyond one day, helping build a lasting culture of reading for pleasure, reading aloud, and valuing stories. Going all in doesn’t need grand gestures; small, consistent actions often make the biggest difference. Making time for stories, sharing reading role models, and connecting books to children’s interests can have a lasting impact on engagement and enjoyment.

As spring arrives, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how reading is positioned in school life. The National Year of Reading invites schools to renew their commitment to reading, while World Book Day offers a moment to celebrate it. By bringing the two together, schools can inspire children, staff, and communities to grow a love of reading that lasts well beyond March.