School events and opportunities

Bring the magic of books and reading to your school – become a Reading School this year! The program provides practical resources, friendly support and a variety of accreditation levels designed to help you succeed and celebrate reading for pleasure in your school.

Explore our resources and apply now at readingschools.scot

Through Live Literature part–funded sessions we contribute over half the fees to run in-person and remote author sessions and events. Applications for funding are now open for sessions taking place before 31 March 2024.

Apply for Live Literature funding

If you would like to continue using First Minister's Reading Challenge reading passports, we have remaining stock available that we can send to you free of charge. Group passport charts and Gaelic passports are also available. Please email sarah.dore@scottishbooktrust.com and let us know what type of passport and how many you’d like to order.

Our ASN schools residencies programme provides a fully-funded opportunity for schools to work with professional writers, storytellers and creators from the Live Literature directory.

This programme aims to increase opportunities for pupils with Additional Support Needs, their teachers, parents and carers to benefit from working alongside an author-in-residence on an extended project.

For all residencies, we are happy to facilitate blended models and freedom to work remotely or in-person, depending on your school circumstances.

Find out more and apply now to ASN Schools Residencies fund

We are looking to fund projects and purchases that will help your school achieve Reading School accreditation. Grants of up to £500 are available to purchase books or reading materials for your school Furnishings for reading spaces.

Eligibility criteria:

The Reading Fund is open to all state-funded primary and secondary schools in Scotland that are working towards Reading School accreditation. In order to be eligible for funding you should have a submitted and approved action plan, and be working towards Reading School accreditation at Core, Silver or Gold level.

Find out more and apply now to Reading Schools fund

We are looking to fund projects and purchases that will help your school achieve Reading School accreditation. Grants of up to £500 are available to purchase books or reading materials for your school Furnishings for reading spaces.

Eligibility criteria

The Reading Fund is open to all state-funded primary and secondary schools in Scotland that are working towards Reading School accreditation. In order to be eligible for funding you should have a submitted and approved action plan, and be working towards Reading School accreditation at Core, Silver or Gold level.

Find out more and apply now to Reading Schools fund

Come along to this webinar on how to take the first steps towards building a reading culture in your setting, from within your classroom. Find out how to start your reading journey with practical and fun activities, get inspiration based on in-practice examples and hear about the resources and programmes at Scottish Book Trust which will support you.

This is a general session so all are welcome to attend. The webinar will be held on Microsoft Teams, with meeting details and a ink to access the session circulated in advance.

When: 4:30pm 19 September

Register for building a reading culture in your classroom CLPL

Libraries play a key role in the delivery of Read, Write, Count. Come along to this session to find out what you can expect in this year's Read, Write, Count bags, including free resources and activity ideas to try in public library settings. Get inspiration on how to make the most of participation in the RWC programme and hear about how other public libraries have embedded the programme into their work with children, schools and families.

The training session is suitable for public library staff. The webinar will be held on Microsoft Teams, with meeting details and a link to access the session shared in advance.

When: 4:30pm 20 September

Sign up to Read, Write, Count in Public Libraries webinar

Get involved with Reading Schools.

Join us for a drop-in session with the Reading Schools team for an opportunity to ask for any help or advice on your Reading Schools accreditation application. You will also have the opportunity to network with other schools working towards their Reading Schools accreditation.

These sessions are suitable for all schools and will be held as a meeting on Microsoft Teams. The link to access the session will be emailed close to the event.

Register for drop-in session

Read Write Count is a national campaign to improve the literacy and numeracy skills of Scotland’s children. As part of the campaign, every child in Primary 2–3 receives a free bag with books and activities to support their learning. It aims to build parents' confidence, and encourage families to include easy and fun reading, writing and counting activities in their everyday lives.

In this CLPL session we will: explain how a paired reading project fits within the Reading Schools framework; share how the new 2023 Read, Write, Count book bags could be used for a mixed-level paired reading project; and highlight how our fantastic paired reading toolkit can support this activity.

This is a two-part offering – attendees should register and participate in both sessions.

Register for Starting a paired reading project with Read, Write, Count – Part 1

As part of Book Week Scotland, we want to bring one of these bestselling authors to your community, to participate in events that fit this year's theme of Adventure.

We want innovative, unusual and creative slants on book events that will inspire people. Events should be engaging and welcoming to audiences and communities in inclusive and interesting ways. This is your chance to plan a book event that creates the adventurers of tomorrow. We will support up to £500 to help with event costs and we will cover the author's fee and any travel expenses, as well as providing tailored support to help make your event the best it can be.

We would suggest that Kiran Millwood Hargrave could be suitable for secondary schools looking to host an event.

Find out more about Kiran Millwood Hargrave and apply.

Register now and tune in to Authors Live with award-winning author and illustrator Nadia Shireen!

Nadia Shireen is the award-winning author/illustrator of beloved picture books such as Barbara Throws a Wobbler, The Bumblebear and Hey Presto! On this episode of Authors Live, Nadia will be introducing us to the wonderful wacky world of Grimwood.

Nadia will show us how to draw some of her favourite Grimwood characters and share with us how she created this memorable and highly original comedy series.

Cost: Fully funded

Audience: P2–5.

Sign up to Authors Live with Nadia Shireen

This CLPL is for all staff in education settings working towards their Reading School accreditation. It will cover the evidence submission process – from collecting your evidence to submitting it through our Reading Schools website. We will also share examples of WAGOLLs to ensure you are aware of the standard requirements for accreditation.

The webinar will be held on Microsoft Teams, with meeting details and a link to access the session shared in advance.

Thursday 28 September, 16:30–17:30

Register for Submitting your Reading Schools evidence

Primary schools play a key role in the delivery of the Bookbug Primary 1 Family Bag and Read, Write, Count by gifting the bags to Primary 1, 2 and 3 pupils. Come along to this webinar to find out what you can expect in this year's bags, including free resources and ideas to maximise the impact of gifting. Get inspiration on how to help your pupils get the most out of the bags and hear about how other schools have used the programme to promote parental engagement.

The training session is suitable for Primary 1-3 teachers, librarians and support staff. The webinar will be held on Microsoft Teams, with meeting details and a link to access the session shared in advance.

When: 4.30pm 7 September

Register now for Making the Making the most of Bookbug P1 bag CLPL

Get involved with Reading Schools.

Read Write Count is a national campaign to improve the literacy and numeracy skills of Scotland’s children. As part of the campaign, every child in Primary 2–3 receives a free bag with books and activities to support their learning. It aims to build parents' confidence, and encourage families to include easy and fun reading, writing and counting activities in their everyday lives.

In this CLPL session we will: explain how a paired reading project fits within the Reading Schools framework; share how the new 2023 Read, Write, Count book bags could be used for a mixed-level paired reading project; and highlight how our fantastic paired reading toolkit can support this activity.

This is a two-part offering – attendees should register and participate in both sessions.

Register for Starting a paired reading project with Read, Write, Count – Part 2

Victoria Williamson is joining the Scottish Friendly Children's Book Tour for an exciting virtual event on the publication day of her new YA fantasy novel, Feast of Ashes.

Date: Thursday 5 October

Time: 10–10:55am

Audience: S1–3

Audience size: Any size

Deadline to register: Tuesday 3 October

Register to apply for Victoria's event.

Join us for a drop-in session with the Reading Schools team for an opportunity to ask for any help or advice on your Reading Schools accreditation application. You will also have the opportunity to network with other schools working towards their Reading Schools accreditation.

These sessions are suitable for all schools and will be held as a meeting on Microsoft Teams. The link to access the session will be emailed close to the event.

Register for drop-in session

Register now and tune in to a live author event with award-winning children's author, actor, and scriptwriter, Joseph Elliott. Joseph Elliott is the award-winning author of the Shadow Skye trilogy, as well as a popular children's television actor (CBeebies' Swashbuckle) and script writer.

Date: Friday 3 November

Time: 11–11:45am

Platform: Microsoft Teams

Cost: Fully funded

Audience age: 11–14 years old

Deadline to register: Wednesday 1 November

Register for Joseph Elliot's digital event.

Apply now to host a visit from award-winning author Joseph Elliott at your school in Inverclyde, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire or East Ayrshire with the Scottish Friendly Children's Book Tour.

Joseph Elliott is the award-winning author of the Shadow Skye trilogy, as well as a popular children's television actor (CBeebies' Swashbuckle) and script writer.

When: 6–10 November 2023

Where: Your school (Inverclyde, Renfrewshire, East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire)

Cost: Fully funded

Audience: P7–S2. Audiences of all sizes will be considered.

Deadline for applications: Friday 29 September

Register to apply for Joseph Elliot's tour.

Book Week Scotland is an annual celebration of books and reading, which will take place on 13–19 November this year.

This year's theme is Adventure. Adventure is about the promise of a fresh start, the excitement of a new opportunity and the warm embrace of the familiar. It’s making time for our loved ones, getting lost in our imaginations or challenging ourselves to achieve something big.

There are lots of ways to get involved and there will also be ways to take part online, and events taking place in communities across Scotland. Keep an eye on our social media channels and website for details on these as they’re announced.

Find out more about Book Week Scotland.

Join us for an online shared practice showcase, full of presentations, breakout sessions, and the sharing of practical ideas and inspiration on how to engage families and communities.

This event is a great opportunity for schools at any stage of their Reading Schools journey to hear from Reading Schools who have been granted accreditation, as they discuss their learning, successes and challenges.

There will be opportunities to share practice together, speak to others across the country about their experiences, ask us questions, and come away inspired and enthused about Reading Schools.

When: 4:30pm 16 November

Register for Shared Practice: Interdisciplinary book projects

Live Literature makes author events affordable.

The author is paid £175 plus expenses per session

We cover £100 of the author's fee, and all of their expenses, within set guidelines After the event takes place, Scottish Book Trust pays the author everything that they are owed directly Scottish Book Trust then invoices you for a set contribution of £75 plus VAT per session Events can take place in person or remotely, allowing you to be flexible when planning Alongside financial support, the team at Scottish Book Trust can be on hand with help and advice for planning and promoting your session.

You will hear our decision within two weeks of the first panel meeting following your application – dates are listed below.

Apply for Live Literature part-funded sessions

Join us for a drop-in session with the Reading Schools team for an opportunity to ask for any help or advice on your Reading Schools accreditation application. You will also have the opportunity to network with other schools working towards their Reading Schools accreditation.

These sessions are suitable for all schools and will be held as a meeting on Microsoft Teams. The link to access the session will be emailed close to the event.

Register for drop-in session