Portsmouth calls on primary educators to join once-in-a-lifetime Guinness World Record reading attempt

Portsmouth Creates is calling for Reception to Year 7 teachers, home educators, SEN and alternative provision settings - to help attempt the Largest Reading Lesson at Fratton Park, home of Portsmouth FC.

The deadline for sign-ups is January 16, 2026, with the mammoth lesson set to bring together 12,000 children and young people to the iconic football ground on Thursday, March 5, 2026 in an inspirational celebration of reading.

The ground-breaking event will mark the culmination of In Our Words, Portsmouth’s year-long literacy campaign, designed to boost reading across the city through events, workshops and community activities.

“This is the chance to make real history in Portsmouth, especially as we come straight off the back of the city’s centenary celebrations,” said Erica Smith, Interim Executive Director at Portsmouth Creates.

“With the In Our Words campaign already proving such a resounding success, this World Book Day moment feels like the perfect way to bring everyone together for something truly unforgettable.”

On the day, schools will begin arriving from 10:30am, ready for the record attempt to start at 11:15am. All pupils will take part in one big shared reading session in the stadium and the event will also include live entertainment to keep the atmosphere fun and engaging for the children.

“As the home of Dickens, and a source of renowned literary inspiration for writers such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and H.G. Wells, Portsmouth’s storytelling heritage is a force to be reckoned with,” Erica added.

“We’re proud to promote this next chapter and inspire a new generation to discover the joy of reading and the power words hold in shaping creativity and imagination.”

There is a range of support available to help schools get there including travel and world book day costumes. To register, please email [email protected]