Are you passionate about promoting reading for pleasure and looking to expand your knowledge of children’s and YA literature? Why not join our friendly and supportive group, now in its fifth year.
Set up in 2016, Cheltenham Festivals’ RTRP is a national network of teachers’ reading groups which aims to inspire reading for pleasure. EMC is delighted once again to be hosting a secondary RTRP programme again this year as an Independent Partner.
What does RTRP involve?
Five books are chosen from a longlist of recently published and classic children’s/YA literature by a panel of experts.
During the year, groups of teachers and school librarians across the UK meet to talk about each book. Discussion focuses on personal responses, followed by ideas for sharing the book with pupils. Teachers receive a free copy of each of the five titles and access to national RTRP events such as a Q&A with one of the authors.
RTRP is FREE to attend.
You can find out more at www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/rtrp
EMC’s RTRP programme
We meet in-person on Tuesdays from 4.30-6.00pm at The English and Media Centre, 44 Webber Street, London, SE1 8QW (dates below).
If the Centre is not easy for you to get to after school, have a look on the Cheltenham Festivals RTRP website to see if there is a group running near you, or find out how to set up your own.
Apply for a place on the EMC programme 2025-26
The group is limited to 15 participants. To include as many schools as possible, places are limited to two participants per school. This may include one KS3 English teacher and one librarian or two KS3 English teachers. If you’ve taken part before, you’re welcome to apply again.
The group is free to attend and the books will be provided. You are asked to commit to attending all seven sessions – see below for dates.
- Applications close 5pm on Tuesday 22nd September.
- You will hear by Tuesday 30th September whether your application has been successful.
- The first session is Tuesday 14th October.
To apply for a place in the EMC group, click here for an application form.
If you have any questions, please email Kate.
Launch event
- Tuesday 14th October 2025
Book talk meetings:
- Tuesday 2nd December 2025 – Book 1
- Tuesday 20th January 2026 – Book 2
- Tuesday 3rd March 2026 – Book 3
- Tuesday 14th April 2026 – Book 4
- Tuesday 16th June 2026 – Book 5
Sharing session
- Tuesday 7th July 2026