Responding to a survey of more than 1,000 teachers by education technology company Renaissance on the challenges children face with reading, Sarah Hannafin, head of policy at school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“Reading is crucial in laying the foundations for children to learn and thrive, and it’s important that a love of reading is fostered both at home and in school.

“While many school leaders and teachers will recognise the challenges posed by the distraction of screentime and a lack of reading at home, they also raise concerns that opportunities to read for pleasure have been squeezed out of the curriculum.

“We hope the review of programmes of study following the Curriculum and Assessment Review will give schools the space to make genuine decisions on their wider curriculum and free up more time for pupils to read for enjoyment.

“Alongside this, the family hubs being rolled out by the government present an ideal opportunity to promote the importance of parents reading to children, and offer support with this, as well as help accessing books.”