6.5 hours
londoneast-uk Business & Technical Park
Starting at GBP 0
Fri, 17 Oct, 2025 at 09:00 am to 03:30 pm (GMT+01:00)
londoneast-uk Business & Technical Park
Off Rainham Road South, Dagenham, United Kingdom
Join us on 17th October 2025 for an inspiring and practical literacy conference designed to explore how reading unlocks the potential of every child!
This one-day event will bring together nationally recognised speakers and expert workshop leaders to examine the power of reading to drive achievement across the curriculum and transform life chances.
Ideal for teachers, literacy mentors, teaching assistants, literacy leads, SENCOs, and school leaders, the conference will provide research-informed strategies, inclusive approaches, and hands-on ideas for immediate classroom impact.
Be Inspired by Leading Voices in Literacy
We are proud to welcome two leaders in education to frame the day with powerful keynote addresses:
Expert-Led Workshops
Delegates will have the opportunity to attend two of four focused workshops led by specialists in literacy and inclusion:
This is a must-attend event for all those committed to improving outcomes through literacy. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, deepen your practice, and re-energise your literacy leadership.
Workshops
From Labels to Learning: Practical Strategies for Supporting Pupils with Dyslexia Jade Beech
How can we move beyond labels and unlock the true potential of pupils with dyslexia? In this practical and inspiring session, Jade Beech shares the inclusive practices that earned William Ford School a place in Jamie Oliver’s Dyslexia Revolution documentary. Drawing on real classroom strategies, staff training models, and pupil voice, Jade will explore how schools can create an environment where neurodiverse learners thrive. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to enhance your current provision, this workshop will offer actionable tools, reflective prompts, and a deep dive into what really works.
Literate Identities, Literate Lives Dr. Sue Bodman
By the end of Key Stage 1, each child’s self-image as a reader and writer is already taking shape. Their future success will depend not only on the development of cognitive skills, but also on how they view themselves in relation to literacy. In this thought-provoking workshop, Dr Sue Bodman draws on both research and classroom practice to explore the concept of literate identity—how children’s attitudes, experiences, and expectations influence their engagement with reading and writing, particularly for those who find it difficult. Participants will reflect on the role of teacher language, book choice, reading routines, and cultural context in shaping these identities. Expect rich discussion, practical insights, and strategies to build literacy-rich environments where every child can see themselves as a confident, capable reader and writer.
Oracy and Reading Development Laura Hughes
Strong oracy skills are the foundation of confident reading. This hands-on workshop, designed for Key Stage 1 and 2 teachers and teaching assistants, offers practical strategies to embed purposeful talk within guided reading sessions. Laura Hughes will share easy-to-implement techniques that deepen comprehension, build vocabulary, and encourage active participation. Teachers will leave equipped with ready-to-use ideas for dialogic questioning, talk routines, and interactive discussion prompts to support every child’s reading journey with greater engagement and success.
Reading Between the Lines: Structured Strategies to Deepen Comprehension Bex Shore
Strong readers do more than decode—they infer, question, connect, and construct meaning. In this practical and research-informed workshop, Bex Shore will present structured approaches to develop pupils’ inferential thinking and deep comprehension. Grounded in classroom-tested strategies, Bex will explore how explicit modelling, purposeful questioning, and scaffolded dialogue can transform the way children engage with texts. Whether you’re working with struggling readers, EAL learners, or aiming to stretch the more confident, this session will equip you with tools to support all pupils in becoming thoughtful, reflective readers.
Keynote Speakers
Charlotte Hacking, Author of The Balancing Act and Education Director at CLPE
How can we balance rigour and joy in reading instruction—and truly unlock the potential literacy offers? In this keynote, Charlotte Hacking explores how to build a coherent, inclusive reading curriculum that places children’s reading lives at the centre. Drawing on her book The Balancing Act, Charlotte shares practical insights and powerful reflections on how reading can open doors for every child.
Dr Jane Carter, Senior Lecturer in Education, UWE
Dr Jane Carter explores how reader identity, agency and engagement are central to unlocking literacy for all learners. Drawing on classroom research and teacher practice, she offers powerful reflections on how schools can create meaningful, inclusive reading experiences that open doors for every child.
Stalls
Reading Recovery Dr Sue Bodman and Becs Shore
Why Reading Recovery? Why now? Come and find out about the evidence supporting the efficacy of Reading Recovery.
Nick Fullarton Daisy Education UK
At Daisy Education, we support students in developing a love of learning through our adaptive, personalised online programme – DreamBox Reading Plus. We work in partnership with schools, offering free, ongoing support so you can focus on what you do best – teaching.
Sharon Gray Engage Literacy
Explore BDSIP Courses with Louise Harding & Sebastian GuinaDiscover how BDSIP’s expertly designed courses can empower literacy mentors to unlock the full potential and support struggling readers across Primary and Secondary.
Read and Shine: Inspiring a Love of Reading Through Volunteer Support
Read and Shine is a new volunteer programme from BDSIP, delivered in partnership with schools across Barking and Dagenham. The initiative pairs trained volunteers with primary school children to support reading for pleasure and confidence. By sharing stories and sparking curiosity, our volunteers help nurture a lifelong love of reading; one child, one book, one conversation at a time.
Who should attend?
Info: How can we balance rigour and joy in reading instruction—and truly unlock the potential literacy offers? In this keynote, Charlotte Hacking explores how to build a coherent, inclusive reading curriculum that places children’s reading lives at the centre. Drawing on her book The Balancing Act, Charlotte shares practical insights and powerful reflections on how reading can open doors for every child.
Info: Select workshop choice at checkout
Info: Lunch is provided as part of your ticket cost. Please declare any dietary requirements during check out.
Info: Select workshop choice at checkout
Info: Dr Jane Carter explores how reader identity, agency and engagement are central to unlocking literacy for all learners. Drawing on classroom research and teacher practice, she offers powerful reflections on how schools can create meaningful, inclusive reading experiences that open doors for every child.
Info: Conference closes at 15:30
Also check out other Workshops in Dagenham, Arts events in Dagenham, Business events in Dagenham.
Tickets for BDSIP Reading Conference 2025 can be booked here.
| Ticket type | Ticket price |
|---|---|
| General Admission | 250 GBP |
| 10:30am Workshop: From Labels to Learning | Free |
| 12:45pm Workshop: From Labels to Learning | Free |
| 12:45pm Workshop: Reading Between the Lines | Free |
| 10:30am Workshop: Literate Identities | Free |
| 12:45pm Workshop: Literate Identities | Free |
| 10:30am Workshop: Oracy and Reading Development | Free |
| 12:45pm Workshop: Oracy and Reading Development | Free |
| 10:30am Workshop: Reading Between the Lines | Free |
| 12:45pm Workshop: From Labels to Learning | Free |
| 12:45pm Workshop: Literate Lives | Free |
| 12:45pm Workshop: Oracy and Reading Development | Free |
We have gathered all the information for you in one convenient spot, but please keep in mind that these are subject to change. We do our best to keep everything updated, but something might be out of sync. For the latest updates, always check the official event details by clicking the "Find Tickets" button.
