TAMESIDE’S libraries have led a pilot scheme that brought together young readers from across the borough to read, debate and choose a single winner in the council’s inaugural Young Readers Award.
Scope and structure of the pilot
Over a three-month period, teams drawn from 10 secondary schools — each selecting pupils from Years 7 to 9 — read and discussed three shortlisted books by writers linked to the North West. The programme was delivered through Tameside libraries as part of the 2026 National Year of Reading, with activities designed to promote reading for pleasure among younger secondary pupils.
The culminating event saw representatives from each school present creative cases for their chosen book onstage before peers and organisers. After the presentations and a period of deliberation, Doug Naylor’s Sin Bin Island emerged as the overall favourite.
Workshops, library visits and author sessions
Alongside reading the shortlist, participants visited their local branches and took part in creative writing workshops run by authors Lis Jardine and Ashley Thorpe. The sessions focused on helping pupils develop crime and fantasy stories of their own.
- School teams: pupils from Years 7–9 representing 10 secondary schools in Tameside
- Duration: the pilot ran for three months
- Activities: reading groups, library visits, creative writing workshops, live Q&A with authors
Pupils were also able to put questions to the visiting authors in live Q&A sessions, gaining insight into the writing process and life as a professional author — intended to demystify careers in writing and to encourage continued creative practice after the pilot finishes.
“What a fantastic event to celebrate students’ love of reading. As part of the National Year of Reading, we are encouraging a greater focus on reading and fostering a lasting interest in books,” said Cllr Leanne Feeley, Tameside’s Executive Member for Lifelong Learning and Culture.
The council highlighted the pupils’ creative presentations as a notable component of the celebration, with teams using drama and other formats to champion their chosen title.
Local consequences and next steps
As a pilot, the Young Readers Award has two practical aims for Tameside: to increase engagement with local library services among secondary-age pupils and to foster a habit of reading for enjoyment. The inclusion of local authors and hands-on workshops sought to connect reading with creative practice, offering participants tools to continue writing beyond the programme.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Participating schools | 10 secondary schools across Tameside |
| Pupil years involved | Years 7–9 |
| Duration | Three months |
| Winning book | Doug Naylor's Sin Bin Island |
| Workshop leaders | Lis Jardine and Ashley Thorpe |
How the council evaluates the pilot — and whether the award becomes an annual fixture — will be of interest to schools and parents in Tameside. For now, organisers are celebrating the young people who took part and the creative work they produced during the programme.
The Young Readers Award forms part of the wider National Year of Reading activity, but its local delivery has been shaped by Tameside libraries and cultural services with a specific focus on nurturing reading and writing among early secondary pupils in the borough.
