UK organisations and associations
Bookstart
Bookstart is a national programme that works through locally-based organisations to give a free pack of books to babies with guidance materials for parents and carers. It aims to promote a lifelong love of books and is based on the principle that every child in the UK should enjoy and benefit from books from as early an age as possible. The website is broken into four sections for different interested groups including carers, parents, journalists and health professionals.
Booktrusted
Booktrust is an independent educational charity working to bring books and people together. It administers book prizes including the Nestlé Children's Book Prize and the Early Years Awards, as well as a number of projects including the 'books for babies' scheme Bookstart and the Children's Laureate award.
The Booktrusted website is designed to help teachers, librarians and parents find out about books for young people. It details children's book awards, news articles and research on literacy and books with a dedicated area for parents, free resources for teachers and a topical talking point area on all aspcts of literacy and reading.
The Federation of Children’s Book Groups
The Federation is a national, voluntary organisation concerned with children and their books. The aim is to promote enjoyment and interest in children's books and reading, and to encourage the availability of a range of literature for all ages, from pre-school to teenage. The Federation liaises with schools, playgroups, publishers, libraries and other official bodies. We provide a meeting point for parents, professionals and everyone who shares our aim.
National Association for the Teaching of English (NATE)
NATE is the UK subject teacher association for all aspects of English from pre-school to university. NATE supports effective teaching and learning, keeps teachers informed about current developments and provides them with a voice at a national level. In addition to its periodicals, NATE publishes a varied list of books including teaching resources and critical theory across the full range of English teaching - from early years to university, and initial teacher training.
National Centre for Language and Literacy (NCLL)
The National Centre for Language and Literacy supports teachers, parents and governors in a wide range of ways – through their unique collection of resources; publications; an extensive programme of courses and conferences; ongoing research; and a membership scheme designed to meet the needs of individual schools. Formerly the Reading and Language Information Centre (RALIC), this is an important centre for research, training, information and resources relating to children's language development, based in Reading University. Website includes detailed information on finding authors, illustrators and storytellers for your school.
The National Literacy Trust
A major source of information relating to literacy. The website has a Scottish section, but many of the non-Scottish areas are also of great value. National campaigns include Reading Connects, Reading Champions, the Vital Link and Talk To Your Baby. It offers a free online support network to help get the whole school reading by connecting families, children and all members of the school community to a culture where reading is accessible and acceptable to all. Detailed sections on literacy research, and literacy events and training around the UK.
The reading agency
The Reading Agency was formed in 2002 by merging three smaller agencies - LaunchPad, The Reading Partnership and Well Worth Reading - all of whom worked with libraries to promote reading. Their mission is to inspire a reading nation by working in new ways with readers, writers, libraries and their partners. Main activities include developing projects, resources and training. Extensive section of projects going on around the country including Orange Chatterbooks, Children’s Book day, Richard and Judy book-club, Enjoy Reading and the Big Book Share.
Reading is Fundamental
Reading Is Fundamental, UK is an initiative of the National Literacy Trust that helps children and young people (aged 0 to 19) to realise their potential by motivating them to read. They promote the fun of reading, the importance of book choice and the benefits to families of having books at home. Projects provide motivational activities, opportunities for family and community involvement, and free books for children to choose and keep. Projects have taken place in Scotland, in particular Dundee City. The website has useful material for parents on helping children to read at all stages.
United Kingdom Literacy Association (UKLA)
The sole object of the United Kingdom Literacy Association (UKLA) is the advancement of education in literacy. The Association is committed to promoting good practice nationally and internationally in language teaching and research; a unique network for teachers and researchers; a voice for language and literacy issues; a forum for discussion; a means of providing professional support. The UKLA was formerly the United Kingdom Reading Association (UKRA). Provides a forum for professional support and discussion and publishes a journal, Reading, three times a year.