Costumes at the Ready...World Book Day 2026 is Nearly Here!
The Department for Education and National Literacy Trust has designated 2026 as the National Year of Reading and we're ensuring Paddington is turning the page in style. We'll be hosting a week full of events for World Book Day in March; bringing local schools, businesses and volunteers together to spark a love of stories across our neighbourhood.
Across the week, we’ll be running four exciting reading events, each designed to inspire children, boost reading confidence and bring books to life. From character costumes to 1:1 reading sessions, it’s time to say it loud: let’s get reading, Paddington!
World Book Week Events in Paddington
Wednesday 4 March – Reading assessments at Edward Wilson Primary School
We kick off mid‑week with a major literacy boost at Edward Wilson Primary School, where volunteers from Vodafone will spend the day supporting pupils from Year 1 to Year 6. Having received training, the team will carry out miscue analysis reading assessments, helping teachers understand how children develop reading fluency and identifying where extra support can make the biggest difference. It’s hands-on, impactful volunteering and a brilliant opportunity to help young readers build confidence and unlock new worlds through books.
Thursday 5 March – A Triple Celebration of Reading
Thursday is set to be a blockbuster day, with three events taking place across Paddington.
St Peter’s Primary: Storybook Characters Come to Life
Volunteers from Tapestry will be swapping lanyards for costumes as they arrive dressed as their favourite storybook characters. They’ll join pupils at St Peter’s Primary School for a themed assembly before heading into classrooms for group reading and 1:1 reading support. Expect colour, creativity and lots of laughter as characters leap off the page and into real life.
Volunteer Team Needed
Gateway Academy: 1:1 Reading Support
We are looking to recruit a team of around ten colleagues to visit Gateway Academy in the Church Street community on Thursday 5 March. This is the first time we will have worked with the school on a volunteering project and their Literacy Lead is excited to welcome volunteers who love stories. Volunteers will focus on reading one-to-one with the children, giving them the focused attention that helps transform reading ability, and which in a busy school day can be so hard for teachers to deliver.
The school would love to establish ongoing reading support, with volunteers visiting on a regular basis and supporting pupils. This event is an excellent taster opportunity.
Essendine Primary visit The Point: A Special Reading Event
Meanwhile, Year 5 pupils from Essendine Primary School will be making a special trip to The Point for a memorable reading experience. Children will read in small groups with volunteers and - to make the day even more special - each pupil will receive a brand‑new book to take home. A story to read, a story to keep, and hopefully the start of many more to come.
Volunteer Team Needed
Friday 6 March – Intergenerational reading
Whilst the World Book Day campaign concentrates its efforts on children’s reading, there are so many benefits to reading at all stages of life, especially for mental health and wellbeing.
We are looking for a group of 6 – 8 colleagues who could spend an hour or two visiting Penfold Hub, a care home and community centre for local older residents in Church Street, on the morning of Friday 6 March. The team will spend time reading to their residents and centre members, providing companionship and reminiscing over treasured stories and poems.
Opportunities are being explored to include primary pupils in this activity too, for a truly intergenerational celebration.
World Book Day is always a highlight of the year, but with 2026 marking the National Year of Reading, this one feels particularly special. Across three days; dozens of volunteers and hundreds of children will come together to celebrate stories, literacy and imagination.
If you’d be interested in signing up for one of our remaining volunteer places, or talking to the team about other opportunities that champion reading and books, please send us an email. We would love to hear from you.