Book Clubs in Schools

Book Clubs in Schools provides a format for interactive, inclusive and lively book clubs, where there are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers.

Book Clubs in Schools (BCiS) works in secondary and primary schools. Older secondary school pupils lead book clubs for Y7 pupils or Y4, 5, 6 in primary school. BCiS encourages students to bring their own knowledge and experiences to discussions. The younger pupils develop confidence, resilience, creativity, oracy, and critical thinking. They develop friendships with older pupils and gain role models that are positive and accessible. Book Club leaders learn how to lead a group discussion, become mentors, and volunteer which can be used for DofE or UCAS applications.

BCiS’s curated list brings together diverse authors and styles, designed to stimulate discussion and encourage a love of reading.

Give a Book supplies books for school book clubs with above-average numbers of pupils receiving pupil premium.

Over 40,000 pupils have participated in Book Clubs in Schools core programme in over 90 schools.

Among Book Clubbers, 70% of participants enjoy reading more, 61% made new friends, 58% feel more comfortable debating and 57% feel more confident speaking. Amongst the Book Club Leaders, 97% would recommend others to become leaders, 82% learnt how to facilitate conversations and to be more inclusive and 76% felt more confident leading. 

Working with MediaTrust we created a film which shows the impact our programme, you can watch it here.

“Book Club is a relaxed and enjoyable session for both the leaders and children who partake in the activity. It is also a place where we enjoy books together and have intriguing discussions about them whilst also doing other activities to try and take the children’s minds off of their school work and explore different, more creative aspects of literature.” Book Club Leader

“We wouldn’t be able to take part in the Book Clubs In Schools initiative if it wasn’t for Give A Book. Since starting the programme in September we’ve been given over 100 books, books which have been vital for our book clubs to run. By providing us with sets of these books – from such a diverse range of so many fantastic books – we’re able to see such amazing progress. The students get to read books they quickly fall in love with, as well as having the social and personal development from taking part in book club. I cannot show my appreciation enough for how big a contribution they have made to so many students.“ Bishop Challoner School