Turning Pages, Changing Futures: a conference on Reading for Pleasure, social justice and opportunity.

Fri 26 Jun 2026 9:00 AM - 4:15 PM BST Online, Livestream

Reading for Pleasure is a powerful force for change. Choosing to read opens doors, expands horizons and empowers children to shape their own futures. But too many young people face barriers to reading; barriers rooted in poverty, economic inequality and systemic challenges.

Back for its second year, this conference is brought to you in partnership with the British Library. The day will bring together teachers, school leaders, researchers and authors to explore how we can build inclusive reading cultures to ensure every child has the opportunity to experience the joy of reading. 

📖 Keynote speakers: Leading voices in literacy, education, and social justice
🎤 Panel discussions: Teachers, reading culture experts and school leaders on breaking barriers
💬 Author conversations: Stories that inspire and connect

Speakers include:

• Prof. Teresa Cremin: Professor of Education (Literacy) at The Open University,

• Patrice Lawrence: Award winning children's author

• Andrew O’Hagan: Booker Prize nominated Author and ambassador of Bookbanks

• Dr Darren Chetty: Lecturer in English Education at UCL and former primary school teacher

• Alex Wharton: author, poet and former Children’s Laureate for Wales

Who should attend?

The face-to-face conference is open to staff working in state-funded primary schools in the following London boroughs: Bexley, Bromley, Camden, City of London, Croydon, Greenwich, Hounslow, Kingston, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Richmond upon Thames, Southwark, Sutton, Wandsworth and Westminster

If you are based outside of these boroughs, you are very welcome to join us by registering for the live stream via this page. If you work within these boroughs and would like to attend live, please sign up here. 

We are looking forward to welcoming teachers, school leaders, librarians anyone working in primary schools who is passionate about ensuring every child can experience the transformative power of reading.

📢 Let’s turn the page on inequality, together.