Reading Conference Friday 8th May 2026
About
"Reading Year" refers to the National Year of Reading 2026, a major UK-wide campaign led by the Department for Education and the National Literacy Trust, launching in January 2026 to combat declining reading habits by making reading modern, meaningful, and social for all ages, with a goal of building a lasting culture of reading for pleasure. The initiative, branded "Go All In," involves events, resources, and community engagement to encourage reading across schools, libraries, and workplaces.National Association for Primary Education has organised this conference to inspire your teaching in reading in all its different forms.
https://www.nape.org.uk/conference-2026
Keynote Speaker - Professor Roger McDonald
Drawing on my work with The Open University’s Reading for Pleasure (RfP) programme this lecture will examine what we know about effective reading cultures in schools and why pleasure, choice, and teacher knowledge of children’s literature are central to success.
The session will challenge narrow, skills-driven approaches to reading and instead highlight practical, evidence-informed strategies that schools can use to nurture enthusiastic, motivated readers. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the research base underpinning reading for pleasure and actionable ideas to embed it meaningfully within everyday classroom practice and whole-school culture.
Your ticket also includes 2 of the following workshops.
1 morning and 1 afternoon session. Please select when completing your booking.
Dr Gareth Farmer : Poetry
Dr Nicola Darwood: Writing
Dr Claudia Saraceni: TESOL
Dr Audrey Wood: Oracy
Mia Hanson: Drama and Story Telling:
For more details of our workshop leaders please visit
https://www.nape.org.uk/reading-conference-2026-speakers
BOOKING COST
Teachers, Schools or Academies
£60 per person or £50 if you are a NAPE member (Use promotion code at checkout).
To join https://www.nape.org.uk/membership
Date
Friday 8 May 2026 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM (UTC+00)Location
University of Bedfordshire
The Gateway building, Bedford campus, facing Polhill Avenue, Bedford, MK41 9EA
Contact Form
Reading Conference Friday 8th May 2026
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