If you work in a school, you’ll see, hear and feel the pain and the ensuing impact of school budgets being stretched day in day out. UK schools are grappling with significant financial challenges, leading to strained budgets and difficult decisions that impact educational quality.  

Rising Operational Costs in Schools

Despite a planned 2.8% increase in school funding for 2025-26, costs are projected to rise by 3.6%, primarily due to teacher salary increases and higher expenses for special educational needs (SEN) provisions. This discrepancy is forcing schools to make untenable cuts in areas such as pastoral support, curriculum options, and class sizes. 

Historical Funding Reductions in Schools

Since 2015, the average per-pupil expenditure has decreased from £5,000 to just under £4,700, necessitating an additional £2.4 billion annually to restore funding to previous levels. Consequently, 83% of schools in England are expected to receive less funding next year compared to 2015. 

Special Educational Needs (SEN) Funding Crisis

The escalating costs of SEN provisions are significantly straining school budgets. Despite increased government spending, much of it is consumed by SEN expenses, leaving little extra to benefit other pupils. The National Audit Office warns of a potential £3.4 billion funding gap for councils by 2027-28 due to these rising costs. 

And schools cannot afford books.

I know, right.
Did you know that

  • Approximately 1 in 8 primary schools in the UK do not have a library, a figure that rises to 1 in 4 in the most deprived areas.*
  • More than 60% of classrooms have no access to a budget for new books.***

Well, LoveReading and LoveReading4Kids can help fund books in schools.

Who is LoveReading?

The LoveReading family exists because reading matters, and books change lives. Cheerleaders of authors and illustrators everywhere, the leading book recommendation websites feature an online bookstore with social purpose where 25% of money spent can be donated to a school close to the buyer's heart, or to schools in need. Over 14,000 schools across the nation use the LoveReading4Schools Portal which is housed within LoveReading4Kids to further engender reading for pleasure in their setting and fund new books, with £85,000 already donated to schools.

Buy a Book. Support a School. Make a Difference

How can LoveReading4Kids help fund books in schools?

Any school can sign up to be a member of LoveReading4Schools. It’s totally free. You can sign up or sign in here enabling you to access unadulterated reading for pleasure content.

Our editorial team reads and reviews between 75-100 children’s books every single month, curating lists of the very best books being published for children today.

If you are a UK-based school you can also utilise our funding opportunities to help buy more books for your school.

It’s well-documented that reading for pleasure, and improving reading standards, has a huge impact on children’s wellbeing, academic achievements, and future success.

But the sad truth is, cuts to school funding means many children don’t have access to well-stocked libraries. Many don’t get to experience the magic of reading that may well have made you a reader for life.

As a result, LoveReading has created a way to redress that shortfall; an easy way for people to share the magic of reading through supporting a school in their local community. By simply utilising LoveReading or LoveReading4Kids as their online bookstores and buying books through this platform with social purpose, you will make a difference.

When a book is purchased from LoveReading or LoveReading4Kids, 25% of the cover price can be donated to a school close to your heart. The recipient school can then spend their funds on LoveReading or LoveReading4Kids. If you’re buying as a school the 10% discount and 25% cashback means you are getting 35% off the retail price of books, and postage is free.

If the shopper doesn’t have an affinity with a specific school, a contribution of 10% goes into a funding pot which schools across the UK can apply for, prioritising schools with severe disadvantage. 

The LoveReading4Kids Funding for Schools Scheme.

The LoveReading4Kids Funding for Schools Scheme accepts applications from state funded schools in the UK.  Primaries, secondaries and early years’ settings are all eligible to apply. Find out more about how to apply. 

The LoveReading4Schools Portal is a one-stop-shop for reading for pleasure

Via the LoveReading4Schools purpose-built platform schools can create wishlists of books that they would love to have gifted.

Utilising the LoveReading Donate button, parents, carers and any member of your community can donate to your school.

Why?

Reading for pleasure has been extensively studied in the UK, revealing significant positive impacts on individuals' outcomes later in life.

Educational Attainment:

A study by the Centre for Education and Youth found that children who read for pleasure regularly are likely to do significantly better across educational outcomes.*

Cognitive Development:

Research from the University of Cambridge indicates that children who begin reading for pleasure early in life tend to perform better at cognitive tests and have better mental health when they enter adolescence.**

Mental Wellbeing:

The BookTrust reports that children who regularly read for pleasure have better self-esteem and emotional regulation, with lower levels of emotional and behavioural challenges such as anxiety and aggression.***

Social and Emotional Skills:

The Reading Agency highlights that reading for pleasure enhances empathy, understanding of social identities, and knowledge of other cultures, contributing to improved interpersonal relationships and social cohesion.****

These findings underscore the importance of fostering a love for reading from an early age, as it not only enhances academic performance but also contributes to overall personal development and well-being throughout life.

Sources:

* CFEY.org

** University of Cambridge 2023

*** Book Trust Benefits of Reading June 2024

**** The Reading Agency Literature Review 2015

So if you’re still wondering where do I buy books for my school?

Join the LoveReading4Schools community today

Sign up to our fortnightly newsletter

Create a wishlist of books you’d like gifted to your school

View our recommended reading lists for every year group and curriculum area

Dive into our LoveReading4Schools blog for inspiration

Share the bookstore with your community utilising these resources and encourage them to utilise LoveReading4Kids and create a new funding stream for your school

Apply for funding