Making the Classics Accessible

At Wordsworth Editions, we have one simple belief: every young person should have the chance to fall in love with great literature. Classics shouldn’t be a privilege - they should be available to everyone, regardless of background, budget, or postcode.

This belief has guided everything we do for over 30 years, and it continues to shape our future.

Why Access Matters

When I talk to teachers, one thing comes up again and again: students need their own copy of a book. Not a photocopy, not a shared class text, but something they can hold, annotate, and make their own.

That’s why affordability has always been central to our mission. By keeping prices low, we make it possible for schools to put a copy into the hands of every student. This simple step can transform engagement - suddenly, a novel or play is no longer an abstract assignment but a personal experience.

More Than Just Books

At Wordsworth, we know that simply reprinting classic texts isn’t enough. We add value by providing:

Complete, unabridged texts, faithful to the author’s words.
Introductions and notes that give students the background they need.

We’ve also invested in improved paper quality, ensuring that our books are more durable, easier to read, and able to stand up to busy classroom life. And with our new, more appealing covers, we hope students will be proud to carry them - making the books something they want to pick up, not just something they have to.

Our aim is to make classics approachable rather than intimidating, to give every learner the tools to understand - and enjoy - some of the greatest works ever written.

Supporting Teachers

I also know that teachers are under immense pressure. Choosing the right set texts, staying on budget, and making sure students are exam-ready is no small task. Wordsworth Editions exists to make that job easier.

Our wide range of titles allows schools to source everything they need in one place - whether it’s Shakespeare’s tragedies, Austen’s novels, or modern classics like The Great Gatsby. And because our books are robustly produced, they’ll stand up to the realities of classroom life.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Ultimately, my vision for Wordsworth is about more than exam results. It’s about giving young people a doorway into ideas, stories, and voices that will stay with them for life.

I still remember the first time I read Jane Eyre - and the impact it had on me. I want every student to have that same moment: when a book stops being just words on a page and becomes something that speaks to them personally.

Partnering with Schools

We’re proud to work with schools, libraries, and booksellers across the UK, including Browns Books, to make this vision a reality. Together, we can ensure that no student is left behind - and that every young reader has the chance to discover the joy of the classics.

Nichola Trayler - Managing Director, Wordsworth Editions