.jpg?v=d7f1b62159b21f52fe14df30fdc0f34b)
UK school students 'read less challenging books as they get older'
A new study has indicated that UK schoolchildren are generally reading less challenging books as they get older.
Carried out by the University of Dundee and the education assessment provider Renaissance UK, the 2017 What Kids Are Reading Report analysed the reading habits of 848,219 young people across almost 4,000 schools to identify the favourite books of pupils of different ages.
In the final year of primary school, it was shown that pupils' actual ages typically matched up with their reading age, but by the first year of secondary school at age 11, pupils' reading ages had started to fall behind their chronological age by one year.
By the time they reached the age of 16, their reading age typically fell at least three years behind, showing many of these students are not pushing their literacy skills in the same way they did when they were younger.
This trend was reflected across the UK, although outcomes varied on a school-by-school basis. According to Renaissance UK, this issue may be due to a decreased emphasis on reading between the ages of 11 and 16, suggesting a change in educational policy could be necessary to address the problem.
As such, the organisation called for secondary schools to consider building dedicated reading time into the curriculum to ensure that pupils do not fall behind.
Keith Topping, professor of education and social research at the University of Dundee, said: "The brain is a muscle that literacy skills help train. As it gets more toned, like all muscles, it needs more exercise.
"Currently, primary schools are exercising it more vigorously by reading more challenging books - we now need to replicate this in secondary schools."
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£89.38 - 95.00 per day
Location free text
Newport
Job Type
Part Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Newport
Description
Location: Newport, South Wales Pay Rate: £89.38 per day Hours: 8:30am – 3:30pm Contract: Start October 2025 for full academic year About the RoleAre you passionate about working with young people
Reference
MC1509TANew
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Newport Primary & SENAuthor
Newport Primary & SENSalary
£25 - 35 per hour
Location free text
Newcastle upon Tyne
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Newcastle upon Tyne
Description
TP Tutors have an amazing opportunity to work with schools and the local authority across Newcastle upon Tyne. We are seeking confident tutors to provide functional maths and English skills to childre
Reference
RWNCLFunctionalTutor
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North East TuitionAuthor
North East TuitionSalary
£120 - 135 per day
Location free text
Yeovil
Job Type
Part Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Somerset
Description
Supply Teachers Wanted! – Explore, Teach, Inspire Location: Yeovil & Surrounding Areas Position: Day-to-Day Supply Teacher Type: Flexible | PrimaryAre you a qualified teacher with a passion for makin
Reference
15092025abb
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset PrimaryAuthor
Dorset PrimarySalary
£25 - 35 per hour
Location free text
Hull
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Hull
Description
Teaching Personnel – Education Recruitment in HullTeaching Personnel is the UK’s leading education recruitment agency, providing qualified teachers, tutors, and support staff to mainstream and SEN sch
Reference
RT1509HullSEMH
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North East TuitionAuthor
North East TuitionSalary
£120 - 135 per day
Location free text
South Tidworth
Job Type
Part Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Wiltshire
Description
Supply Teachers Wanted! – Explore, Teach, Inspire Location: Salisbury & Surrounding Areas Position: Day-to-Day Supply Teacher Type: Flexible | PrimaryAre you a qualified teacher with a passion for ma
Reference
15092025ab
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset PrimaryAuthor
Dorset PrimarySalary
£162.31 - 223.63 per day
Location free text
Northampton
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
KS2 - Year 4
Location
Northampton
Description
Job Title: Year 4 Class Teacher (Full-Time) Location: Northampton Hours: Full-Time, 8:30am – 3:30pm Start Date: ASAPWe’re hiring! A welcoming and vibrant primary school in Northampton is seeking a ded
Reference
KS2 (Year 4) Class
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Northants & Counties PrimaryAuthor
Northants & Counties PrimarySalary
£100 - 125 per day
Location free text
Taunton
Job Type
Part Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Secondary
Location
Taunton
Description
Catering Assistant – Taunton Start Date: ASAP Part-time, Permanent PositionAre you passionate about food, friendly service, and making a difference in children’s lives? Teaching Personnel are looking
Reference
CABFJD25
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Exeter BranchAuthor
Exeter BranchSalary
£120 - 170 per day
Location free text
Northampton
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Drama
Location
Northampton
Description
Are you a passionate and enthusiatic Drama teacher.Are you ready to inspire and build a students confidence in performing we might have the role for you.TP are looking for a Drama teacher to work in a
Reference
17Northants
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£89.44 - 100.00 per day
Location free text
Wigan
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Wigan
Description
Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) – WN2 (Hindley area of Wigan) Contract: Temporary – full-time or part-time Start Date: September 2025A welcoming primary school in Hindley is seeking a skilled H
Reference
HLTA WIG 1509
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Wigan and Warrington BranchAuthor
Wigan and Warrington BranchSalary
£89.44 - 100.00 per day
Location free text
Warrington
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Warrington
Description
Role: Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) – WA3 areaContract: Temporary – full-time or part-timeStart date: September 2025A welcoming primary school in the WA3 area is looking for an experienced HL
Reference
HLTA 1509
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Wigan and Warrington BranchAuthor
Wigan and Warrington BranchRelated posts
.jpg)
Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Walking into a teaching interview can be nerve-wracking, even for experienced teachers. The secret? Preparation. Knowing what to expect, understanding the school, and thinking through your answer

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Pay is always a big topic for teachers and school leaders, and with good reason. It affects career choices, retention, and how schools plan. With a 4% rise confirmed for the next academic term, 20

Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
The start of a new academic year brings a mix of excitement and challenge. New timetables and faces are balanced with the realities of staffing, planning, and ensuring the school settles quickly i

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
Schools are under pressure. Behaviour issues are rising, pupil needs are more complex, and staff are stretched. In 2024, 18.4% of children in England were reported to have some form of special edu

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
Today’s classroom is a busy, complex, and emotionally charged environment. Educators need to teach, support, manage behaviour, and connect with learners who may be carrying far more than their sch

Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
The future of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support in the UK is undergoing significant focus and reform. It’s a complicated landscape as the government considers tightening th

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
In December 2024, the government announced new specialist places in mainstream schools to better support pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Yet, staff shortages limit s

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
Recent statistics highlight gaps in SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) training and support for educators. The government wants more SEND pupils in mainstream schools. At the same t

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
In 2024, the National Audit Office (NAO) highlighted the crisis in the SEND system, noting limited progress in making mainstream schools more inclusive. Without further investment and changes, t

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
How to navigate SEND funding for 2025-26 As government funding for special education needs and disabilities (SEND) evolves, schools face critical challenges securing essential resources. Sch
Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job