The purpose of the conference is to bring together experts with valuable, evidence-based ideas on how we can best support children to develop strong literacy skills and reach their potential. The programme will offer senior leaders, teachers, TAs, literacy advisors, librarians and anyone involved with children’s literacy development, a wonderful CPD opportunity with a packed programme of speakers, workshops, exhibitors and professional networking.

The speaker programme is confirmed as follows:

• Award-winning author Andy Seed: The power of author inspiration 
• Deborah Bullivant, Director of Grimm & Co: Unleashing imagination and changing lives one story at a time
• Dr Paula Clarke of the University of Leeds: Shifting the lens from decoding to language comprehension: Evidence based methods to support pupils understanding of text
• Reading Matters in conjunction with two Bradford schools: Using peer mentors to raise aspirations and attainment
• Rachel Van Riel of Opening the Book: Making space for reading – how to improve your physical environment to increase reader engagement
• Education Consultant and Writer Matt Bromley: Closing the literacy gap

We've recently added local author Tom Palmer to our programme. Tom will be delivering a workshop in conjunction with Barrington Stoke and Madeleine Lindley bookshop, looking at ways of encouraging children to read. Below is the full list of workshops available. Please note, delegates must choose one workshop from options A-C and a second workshop from options 1-3.

• Workshop A: Tom Palmer and Jane Walker of Barrington Stoke: Removing barriers to reading
• Workshop B: Alan Heath of Learning Solutions: Improving reading, from the bottom up!
• Workshop C: Marj Newbury: Back to basics; how to lay strong phonics foundations and help struggling readers of any age
• Workshop 1: Oksana Afitska, The University of Sheffield: Supporting bilingual and multilingual learners in mainstream schools
• Workshop 2: Tim Perkins of Curriculum Comics: Using comics to enhance learning and close the literacy gap
• Workshop 3: Professor Clare Wood: Understanding speech rhythm and how to use it to enhance reading development

Exhibitors on the day include Browns Books, Ransom, Schofield and Sims, Direct Ed, Learning Solutions, Opening the Book, Grimm & Co, First News, Oxford University Press, Madeleine Lindley Bookshop, Jolly Learning, Bradford’s Multicultural Bookshop, ReadingWise, Rising Stars, Fiction Express and Leeds for Learning.

Tickets for this inspiring event cost just £100 and include a two course lunch and goody bag packed with wonderful stuff! There will also be a raffle to win some reading resources for your school.

Don't miss out! Avoid disappointment and BOOK YOUR PLACE TODAY!