Understand
Peterborough's literacy rates improve during the National Year of Reading
Overview
Peterborough has seen an improvement in its literacy rates during 2026, the National Year of Reading, with schools like St Augustine's Junior School promoting a love of reading by letting children choose what interests them. At St Augustine's, 77% of children achieved the expected reading rate in 2026, surpassing the national average of 75%. Initiatives by the National Literacy Trust, the Department for Education, and local council support have helped improve engagement, although local libraries like Woodston Library have recently faced closure threats before campaigns successfully kept them open.
Key points
- In 2026, 77% of children at St Augustine's Junior School achieved the expected reading rate, exceeding the national average of 75%.
- St Augustine's encourages literacy by allowing pupils to choose their own reading materials, ranging from recipe books to novels.
- The Department for Education and the National Literacy Trust designated 2026 as the National Year of Reading to improve literacy rates.
- Peterborough City Council supported reading initiatives, though the city also faced recent financial pressures and considered closing smaller local libraries.
- Woodston Library, frequently visited by pupils from St Augustine's, was kept open following local campaigns.