Join our Story Starter Programme
Help your reception pupils spark a love of reading through stories, games and family reading support.
Get Your Early Years Children Reading-Ready
Many children start school with limited access to books and reading experiences at home. The Story Starter Programme helps schools build strong relationships with families by providing the resources and support they need to develop children’s language, confidence and enjoyment of reading from the very start.
Eligible schools receive free specially curated packs for children aged 4 – 5 that include brand new books, storytelling activities, stationery and family reading resources to help children at the start of their educational journey.
Check your school meets the eligibility criteria below and register your interest by 31 Oct.
What’s included:
Join the programme to receive your free pack including:
- High-quality books and a special edition of The Story Corner magazine
- Storytelling activities, finger puppets and creative learning tools
- Family reading support
What schools are eligible?
We partner with schools in areas of deprivation with higher than national average levels of pupil premium and IDACI figures (Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index) along with lower than national average figures for Key Stage 2 reading levels.
Our programme’s impact in 24/25
In the 2024/25 academic year, 3,970 children across 84 schools received our Story Starter Programme packs.
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97%
of teachers at participating schools told us the packs encouraged children to read
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100%
of teachers told us the packs provided an opportunity for parental and family engagement
What schools and parents are saying
Our programme generates excitement around reading, encouraging positive reading behaviours and supporting families to instil a love of reading from an early age.
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Lots of our children say they haven’t got books at home. So they all got their own.... It was a lovely picture book that you’d go and buy in a bookshop, which was perfect. They could write their name in it because it was theirs. It wasn’t dog-eared. It was all nice and shiny and new.
Teacher at a partner school 
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They had their books out together… they were all sitting reading the same book in little groups.... They were making up little stories already with their puppets on their fingers…
Teacher at a partner school 
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We have made stories together with the story builder game cards. Sofia enjoyed speaking with the puppets. What a lovely starter programme package, we are thoroughly enjoying it. Thank you.
Parent of a child receiving the pack 
