This exciting UKLA/OU Quality Mark, now in its fourth year, recognises and rewards primary and secondary schools that have developed, embedded and enriched their Reading for Pleasure (RfP) culture and ethos with demonstrable impact on staff knowledge and practice, on parents and, most significantly, on young people’s recreational reading.
Achieving the UKLA/OU Quality Mark will position schools as centres of excellence for nurturing young readers who choose to read widely and frequently, within and beyond school. The Quality Mark is open to all secondary, primary, junior and infant schools in the UK.
Recognising, developing and sustaining whole-school cultures of Reading for Pleasure
The UKLA/OU Reading for Pleasure Quality Mark (RfP QM) is the first and only international, research-informed award dedicated to supporting schools to establish, embed and enrich a whole-school culture of Reading for Pleasure.
It recognises schools that prioritise children’s volitional, recreational reading and celebrates their impact on young people, families and communities.
Open to primary, secondary, infant and junior schools across the UK.
Attend the Introductory CPD & QM
Information Session: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/97929?
Michael Rosen, UKLA Ambassador says that the RfP QM is
“A yardstick by which schools can assess their whole-school reading for pleasure programme. A clear signal to parents that a school prioritises RfP.”
Reading for pleasure is one of the most significant contributors to children’s life chances.
International evidence shows strong links between childhood reading and:
- Higher reading attainment (McGrane et al., 2017)
- Enhanced vocabulary and wider knowledge (Sullivan & Brown, 2015)
- Improved writing and spelling (Sénéchal et al., 2018)
- Psychological wellbeing and resilience (Mak & Fancourt, 2019)
- Stronger relationships and reading communities (Cremin et al., 2014)
“Finding ways to engage students in reading may be one of the most effective ways to leverage social change.” — OECD (2021)
Reading for pleasure is a matter of social justice, yet national surveys reveal declining enjoyment—particularly among boys and disadvantaged pupils. Schools need coherent, evidence-informed approaches to rebuild reading cultures.
The RfP QM offers exactly that.
The UKLA/OU RfP Quality Mark is distinct from other reading awards because it offers:
✔ A robust, research-informed framework
Developed through 18 years of OU/UKLA research
✔ Expert mentorship from specialist RfP researchers
Each school is paired with an OU/UKLA-trained mentor who supports rigorous review, evaluation and impact analysis.
✔ A structured, evidence-based process
Schools examine knowledge, provision, pedagogy, reading communities and ethos using a nationally recognised framework.
✔ A community of practice
Schools join a national network committed to developing lifelong readers.
✔ Alignment with national policy
The award reflects guidance from:
- Ofsted English Subject Review (2022)
- National Curriculum (DfE, 2014)
- English Hubs Programme (DfE, 2018)
- Reading Framework (2020; 2023)
✔ Focus on reading for pleasure—not just attainment
The RfP QM centres on:
- volitional reading
- teacher knowledge
- reading communities
- pedagogical practice
- sustainability and inclusion
Unmatched expertise. Unparalleled credibility. A partnership unlike any other in the UK.
The UKLA: The Voice of the Literacy Profession
Since 1963, the UKLA has been the UK’s leading subject association for literacy.
UKLA brings:
- decades of research-informed guidance
- nationally recognised literacy expertise
- a commitment to social justice and equitable literacy education
- policy influence, including representation on national curriculum groups
- award-winning publications and professional development
- annual book awards that broaden teachers’ knowledge of children’s literature
UKLA has long championed the significance of Reading for Pleasure and continues to support teachers and schools in building rich reading cultures.
The Open University: The UK’s Leading Research Centre for Reading for Pleasure
The OU brings the strongest evidence base in the country for RfP practice:
- 20+ years of RfP research
- 15 funded RfP research projects in the last decade
- 400+ OU/UKLA Teacher Reading Groups since 2017
- National Reading Schools Programme using EEF implementation models
- A dedicated evidence-rich RfP website, accessed globally
- Consultancy for DfE, charities, publishers and third-sector organisations
- Free RfP CPD including badged open courses
Together, UKLA and OU offer unrivalled authority, rigour and professional expertise.
No other reading award in the UK has this depth of research, mentorship and credibility behind it.
Silver
Recognises developing RfP cultures with clear evidence of impact on teacher knowledge, pedagogy and children’s recreational reading.
Gold
Recognises embedded RfP cultures with measurable impact on pupils, staff and parents.
Platinum
Recognises settings that have developed, embedded and enriched their RfP culture over time.
Platinum schools:
- demonstrate sustained impact on all pupils
- offer targeted RfP support for less-engaged readers
- work outwardly with families and communities
- support other schools and share practice nationally
- Introductory CPD Session
A research-informed overview of RfP and detailed guidance on the QM process.
- Application & Selection
Schools demonstrate at least 2 years of RfP development.
25 diverse schools are selected annually (primary, secondary, across UK regions).
- Launch Meeting
Schools meet their mentor and explore the research-informed RfP Framework.
- Review of Provision
Using the framework, schools evaluate:
- teacher knowledge
- reading environments
- pedagogy
- reading communities
- leadership and ethos
- Mentor Support
Three structured mentoring meetings guide evidence-gathering and practice reflection.
- Impact Statement
Schools compile an evidence-based account of the impact of their RfP culture.
- Moderation & Award
Awards (Silver, Gold, Platinum) are confirmed.
Each award lasts 2 years and can be renewed or upgraded.
Schools identified:
- Improved teacher knowledge of children’s reading habits
- Newly embedded RfP pedagogies
- Increased engagement from less-enthused readers
- Stronger home-school reading connections
Teacher reflections include:
“It challenged us to ask, ‘How do we know this works?’ and to find evidence of genuine impact.”
“We’d been working on RfP for years—but this process helped us understand it as a whole.”
The full cost of the Reading for Pleasure quality mark is £850. £40 is the cost of the introduction session.
Schools who are successful in being shortlisted to take part in the programme following the introduction session, will be invoiced for the remaining £810.
Schools who are not successful in being shortlisted will be eligible to apply again for the quality mark introduction session in the following year with no payment for that session.
Ready to take the first step towards becoming a Reading for Pleasure Quality Mark school?
Join our Introductory Briefing Session (£40) — a high-quality, research-informed CPD event that offers new insights into Reading for Pleasure pedagogy and a full overview of the QM process.
Schools who choose to progress will receive the application form after the session, and the £40 fee will be deducted from the final Quality Mark cost.
Not applying this year?
You’re welcome to attend the briefing again in future years at no extra cost, ensuring you stay up to date and ready to apply when the time is right.
Book your place and begin your RfP QM journey: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/97929?
Schools that have successfully held the UKLA / Open University Reading for Pleasure Quality Mark for two years are warmly invited to apply for reaccreditation.
Reaccreditation supports schools to sustain, refine and extend their Reading for Pleasure culture, while continuing to benefit from expert mentorship and national recognition.
Your Reaccreditation Options
Eligible schools may choose one of two pathways:
- Renew your current award level
(Silver, Gold or Platinum)
- Apply to be reassessed for a different award level
(for example, moving from Gold to Platinum)
Both pathways involve a supported, research-informed process focused on impact, sustainability and continued development.
The Reaccreditation Process
- Complete the online application form
Access the reaccreditation form via the link on this page.
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Join us on Wednesday 25th March 12 Noon for a 1hr session explaining the reaccreditation process and expectations.
- Mentor allocation
Each school is assigned an experienced OU/UKLA-trained Reading for Pleasure mentor.
- Payment and portal access
Following payment, schools gain access to the secure online portal containing:
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- the RfP Quality Mark Framework
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- the Impact Statement guidance and template
- Mentor support across the year
Schools receive three mentor meetings during the year to support reflection, evidence-gathering and impact evaluation.
Who Can Apply Now?
Schools that:
- completed the RfP Quality Mark in 2023–24 or earlier, and
- are entering or completing their second year of the award
may apply now for reaccreditation in the 2026–27 academic year.
This enables schools to maintain continuity and plan strategically for the next phase of their Reading for Pleasure journey.
Cost
Reaccreditation fee: £625
This includes:
- expert mentor support
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access to all QM materials and the online portal
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the core sessions across the year (briefing, sharing and impact)
- moderation and award confirmation
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continued national recognition as a UKLA/OU RfP Quality Mark school