03 December 2020
Q&A with Crime Writer Ryan Gattis
Find out more about crime writer Ryan Gattis and his latest book The System. Take a look at our other resources by Ryan Gattis in the Reading Ahead resources database: How to Read like a Writer and a Creative Writing Competition...

03 December 2020
How To Read Like A Writer - Guide by Crime Writer Ryan Gattis
This resource contains tips from crime writer Ryan Gattis on the importance of reading to be a good writer and what to look out for to build your skills. Take a look at our other resources by Ryan Gattis in the...

03 December 2020
Prison Libraries: Short Story Writing Competition and Creative Writing Top Tips
This competition is only open to people in prison. Publisher Picador and national charity The Reading Agency are holding a 500-word writing competition! This resource contains instructions for entering the competition and creative writing top tips designed for use in prison....

23 November 2020
Setting up your Reading Ahead 2021 admin account
Thank-you for purchasing your materials for Reading Ahead 2021. Please fill out this form and email it to readingahead@readingagency.org.uk so that we can create your Reading Ahead admin account. You must have purchased either a print or digital core pack to...

26 October 2020
The Reading Agency booklist for ESOL learners
This booklist has been compiled as part of the Reading Ahead with ESOL in prisons project funded by The Bell Foundation together with some guidance provided by NATECLA. Originally created for use in prisons, these books are useful for anyone...

15 October 2020
Social media assets for Lowborn by Kerry Hudson + creative writing guide
Download this free digital pack containing ready-to-use social media assets, an extract from the book and a guide to creative writing written by the author, Kerry Hudson.
01 October 2020
Emergent Reader titles by Ransom
Ransom Publishing have a broad range of titles available to support emergent adult readers at various levels. Find out more in this leaflet and visit their website here: https://www.ransom.co.uk/catalogsearch/advanced

23 July 2020
Education & Training Foundation ESOL for Refugees: resources for new arrivals
Visit the Education & Training foundation for resources and teaching materials to support ESOL learners and specifically refugees. These resources aim to help ESOL practitioners better meet the early integration needs of refugees who are New to ESOL i.e. working below,...

23 July 2020
Beyond Words: Coping with Coronavirus Picture Stories
Free picture stories and illustrated guides to support people with learning disabilities and autism through the coronavirus pandemic. Take a look at the Beyond Words books for: Beating the Virus Mental health, end of life and bereavement Secure settings Here: https://booksbeyondwords.co.uk/coping-with-coronavirus/#secure-settings

29 May 2020
Reading Ahead for prisons during Covid-19 toolkit
This toolkit contains ideas and resources for continuing with Reading Ahead in prison settings responding to the current lockdown during Covid-19. This is a working document and will be updated as more resources become available. Do get in touch if you...

20 May 2020
Reading Ahead during Covid-19 toolkit
This toolkit contains ideas and resources for continuing with Reading Ahead despite closures of public libraries, colleges and workplaces during Covid-19. This is a working document and will be updated as more resources become available. Do get in touch if you...

19 May 2020
This Is Going To Hurt: Diary Writing Challenge
This activity sheet has been designed for use alongside reading the Quick Reads version of Adam Kay’s This Is Going To Hurt. It provides inspiration and a framework for starting a diary.

30 April 2020
The Reading Agency Hub
Here you can access The Reading Agency at home. You’ll find ideas, activities and challenges from across our programmes to entertain and educate yourself, your family or those you are teaching remotely. The activities will be refreshed every couple of weeks...

29 April 2020
Penned By A Prisoner Daily Writing Challenge (days 21-30)
Resources for days 21 – 30 of the Penned By A Prisoner daily writing challenge created by HMP Brixton. Tweet #PennedByAPrisoner to share writing. Some of the challenges are in collaboration with PACT, a charity that support prisoners and their families...

06 April 2020
Penned By A Prisoner Daily Writing Challenge (days 11-20)
Resources for days 11 – 20 of the Penned By A Prisoner daily writing challenge created by HMP Brixton. Tweet #PennedByAPrisoner to share writing.

06 April 2020
Penned By A Prisoner Drawing Challenge 2
Second drawing challenge for those who struggle with literacy and/ or prefer art created by HMP Brixton. Tweet #PennedByAPrisoner to share art.

27 March 2020
10 x Quick Reads promotional posters for social media
These posters feature quotes from authors, readers and practitioners about why Quick Reads are so important. Use them to promote your collection and share on social media.

27 March 2020
Penned By A Prisoner Drawing Challenge 1
Drawing challenge for those who struggle with literacy and/ or prefer art created by HMP Brixton. Tweet #PennedByAPrisoner to share art.

27 March 2020
Penned By A Prisoner Daily Writing Challenge (days 1-10)
Resources for days 1 – 10 of the Penned By A Prisoner daily writing challenge created by HMP Brixton. Tweet #PennedByAPrisoner to share writing.

26 March 2020
Covid-19 Toolkit to Stay Connected
We know many of our partners have had to close their buildings and are working remotely. We want to share our resources and ideas that will help us all stay connected.

24 February 2020
Reading Ahead evaluation report 2018-19
Please use and share our evaluation report to demonstrate the impact of the programme.

20 January 2020
Quick Reads Learning Resources
Quick Reads are often seen as suitable for those at Entry 3, Level 1 or Level 2. They can be used both as a first read or to work towards to as a final goal, depending on the starting level...

02 December 2019
Making Reading Ahead work for prisoners with ESOL
This four-page leaflet draws together the findings, practical tips and creative tools from our three-year project to support prisoners with ESOL funded by The Bell Foundation. Please scroll down this resources page to find other downloadable items.

17 October 2019
Guide to running Reading Ahead 2019-20
This is a comprehensive guide to running Reading Ahead which explains how the programme works, some best practice case studies, key contacts and how we evaluate the programme. Please do get in touch if you have any further questions.

09 October 2019
Publishers with books for emergent and reluctant readers
This short document suggests some publishers that are producing books for emergent and reluctant readers and dyslexia friendly books.

26 September 2019
Reading Ahead 2018-19 Roll of honour
We would like to congratulate all organisations who have taken part in Reading Ahead over the past year for welcoming so many people to the world of reading and all the benefits that brings. Each year we produce a roll...

25 September 2019
Quick Reads back catalogue 2006 - 2020
Quick Reads began in 2006. Since then 4.8 million copies of more than 100 titles have been distributed! The books have been loaned more than five million times through libraries. The 2020 list are currently available to pre-order from all major...

11 September 2019
The Wilbur & Niso Smith Adventure Writing resources
The Reading Agency has been working with The Wilbur & Niso Smith Foundation to promote adventure writing. These resources are mainly targeted at students in further education and sixth form colleges who may also be taking part in Reading Ahead....

06 September 2019
Reading Ahead best practice and participant case studies 2019
Please use this link to see our best practice case studies from practitioners around the country. If you’re looking for some inspiration or to illustrate the impact of your work, we also have participant case studies with new readers sharing...

09 November 2018
Evaluation of the Reading Ahead ESOL pilot
This reports on the third year of our project for prisoners with ESOL funded by The Bell Foundation and draws on evidence from the previous two years.
