Schools in England sidelining dressing-up for World Book Day, MPs hear
The Guardian World
by Richard Adams Education editorMarch 3, 2026
Literacy experts say move comes over cost concerns and fears costumes can detract from reading for pleasure
Schools in England are moving away from pupils dressing up as their favourite literary characters for World Book Day, with experts telling MPs they feared the cost of costumes undermined efforts to increase reading for pleasure.
Jonathan Douglas, the chief executive of the National Literacy Trust, said schools were aware of the strains that preparing costumes could place on disadvantaged families, telling MPs on the Commons’ education select committee: “Many schools are incredibly sensitive to that, and are taking away the narrative around dressing-up on World Book Day.”
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Originally published on The Guardian World on 3/3/2026