CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES BOOK CLUBS IN SCHOOLS Trustee8' Annual Report for the perlod From 1•t September 2023 31•1 August 2024 Charity name.. Book Clubs in Schools Charlly registration number: 1185409 Charity's principal addrèss: 37 Southdean Gardens, London, SW19 6NT Summary of tho purpo4•8 Ot tho charlty Book Clubs in Schools IBCIS) was establish8d to advance the education of children and young people in the UK lor the public benelil, giving priority to those pupils who are affected by social and econornic disadvantage, by the 8ncouragement of reading and the promotion of literacy skills through the provision of book clubs and related literacy aclivilies. BCIS began as a Community Interest Cornpany in March 2014 and becam8 a charity in September 2019. The Iruslees have had regard lo the Charlty CommSssion's guidance on publlc benellt. Book Clubs in Schools, core purpose is to tackle Ihese gaps and to revengage pupils in reading for pleasure and the wide benefits il brings. Our Book Club programme provides framework for children and young people lo access and discuss books. It provides a format that allows students lo engage with books in a more informal way, where Ihere are no 'right' or 'wrong' answers and Ihey are encouraged lo bring iheir own know18dge and experiences to discussions. The younger pupils engage in reading lor pleasure and develop social and communication skills such as confid8nce, resilience, creativity and cri11c￿ ihinking. They develop friendships with older pupils who lead Ihe clubs, and gain role models that are FN)Sitlve and accessibl8. AloThJside the skills Ihe younger pupils develop, the older pupils learn lo lead a group discussion, become menlors and volunte8r, possibly for the first time. A book club formal positions reading for pleasure as a social actiwty wher8 pupils can share views about books and Iheir reactions to Ihe themes they cover. 'Book lalk, is identified in research as a key means lor children lo develop their knowledge ot books, how to choose books they will enjoy and develop their confidence and idenlty as a reader. Books also ofler a v8hicle for discussion ab¢)ut difficull topics le.g. bullying or anxiety) or current affairs le.g. climate change or immigration) where the issues can be discussed in a fictional context that allows for a more open discussion and allows young people to practic8 articulating and sharing views and listening io others, This bvilds Iheir Confiden￿ not only as readers but as learners able to participate in discussions across all ujrriculum areas. We priorits'se schools in disadvantaged areas with over 40Vo pupil premium (national average is 26.90kl and use books that rellecl the diversity of the pupils and a lull range of reading levels. Since we started ten years ago, over 40,000 pupils have participated in Book Clubs in Schools. BCIS provides all resources, support and training lor teachers and older pupils and free books to schools which qualify Iwilh more than 40% Pupil Premium pupils). 8CiS promotes diversity through its curated book list so that young people can relate lo the characters and stories they rèad. We SUPPOrt th8 Diverse Book Awards. Achlevernent8 and Pertormanca Our feedback suNeys find that schools and teachers see increased participation and motivation in class, as w811 as a stronger sense of community and sense ol belonging to the school due lo our unique p88r led approach. Partieipanl feedback indicates that 55% of pupils enjoy reading more, 539/0 feel a greater connection lo their school community and 91 O/a feel more confident leading a group discusslon. Plcture Book Club has been sent to 45 schools who are using the curated book boxes which include all resources including stickers, bookmarks and a little activity lor the younger pupils 10 complètè. Year 516 read aloud lo Year1 and boih galn in confidence and have fun. Ywl