Reading Ambassadors

Reading Ambassadors are pupils who help to promote a culture of reading for pleasure within schools. Here are some suggestions about how to choose Reading Ambassadors and roles and responsibilities that they might have. 

Choosing Reading Ambassadors

Some schools select pupils based on their enthusiasm for reading, others based on their diverse reading interests or good reading behaviours. 

Whereas other schools will encourage pupils to volunteer. Or encourage pupils to apply, by writing a letter or maybe giving a presentation in assembly.

Set up for Success

Once you have chosen your Reading Ambassadors, create a plan to support them. Here are some suggestions.

• Provide guidance to Reading Ambassadors about their responsibilities and how to effectively promote reading

• Have regular meetings to share ideas and plan activities thinking about any themed days or events in the future, like Reading for Empathy Month.

• If you are part of a Trust consider connecting with Reading Ambassadors from other Trust schools to exchange best practices. They could even meet regularly to discuss ways reading could be improved across the different schools. 

• Encourage them to work closely with school librarians and teachers.

  
  

  

  
  

Reading Ambassador Responsibilities

Some schools use Reading Ambassadors to:

• Share book recommendations and reviews. PageTicker will be able to support with this in the future, watch this space!

• Help to organise books in classrooms or in the library. 

• Suggest new books for the school to buy, or create a book wishlist based on feedback from other pupils.

• Assist with reading events or create competitions and reading activities.

• Promote library events or support with arranging a visit to a library or local bookshop. 

• Create content to promote reading, like newsletter articles, reading blogs or podcasts.

• Create displays with book recommendations or themed displays, for example, a Roald Dahl display ahead of Roald Dahl Day. 

• Read to younger students or run a pupil led book club. 

Reading Ambassadors can support the development of a reading for pleasure culture in lots of ways. Keep in mind the roles and responsibilities you would like them to have, how you are going to support them and adjust their roles to maximise their impact.

If you enjoyed this article, take a look at our suggestions for ways to build a community of engaged readers.