Are you a senior leader, multi-academy trust leader, teacher, teaching assistant or librarian? Sign up for the International Reading Conference 2025!
Are you interested in evidence-based reading strategies, innovative literacy solutions and learning from renowned education experts?
Reading Solutions UK presents the free online International Reading Conference, which will be held on 10th, 11th and 12th June 2025.
Attendance is FREE for all delegates.
The event is for primary and secondary educators who want to foster confident, lifelong readers through best practices and innovative strategies.
Uncover how you can:
- Cultivate a reading culture within your school, academy or trust.
- Ensure students continue accelerating their reading growth by feeling motivated and empowered to read.
- Utilise adaptive technology to develop digital reading strategies for success.
- Discover innovative approaches to nurture a thriving reading environment.
We’ll soon unveil all the details of our sessions. Stay tuned – you won’t want to miss it!
Reading Plus is an adaptive, online reading development programme that identifies reading gaps and provides personalised instruction to close them – all while saving teachers time.
Reading Plus supports high-quality teaching.
Guided by the most prominent reading and pedagogical research from the last 30 years, Reading Plus isn’t here to replace books. It is designed to:
- Develop fluency, vocabulary and comprehension – bridging the gap between learning to read and reading to learn.
- Help KS2-KS4 students become better readers – it has a readability range from Year 2 to Year 11.
- Expose students to a diverse range of topical content in line with their ability.
Host
-
Baasit Siddiqui – TV personality, entrepreneur in all things education and proud director of Siddiqui Education.
Speakers
We’ll soon unveil our 2025 lineup of speakers and provide all the details of our sessions.
- Michael Rosen – Writer and performance poet for children and adults
- Tim Rasinski – Professor of Literacy Education
- Teresa Cremin – Professor of Education (Literacy) at The Open University, UK, and co-Director of the Literacy and Social Justice Centre
- Amanda Uffendell – Professional Development Lead for Reading at Whole Education
- Alys Finch – Director of Education at Great Academies Education Trust
- Martin Bailey – Digital Enrichment Leader at Ellington Primary School (Northumberland), Director of Animate 2 Educate Ltd and Lecturer in Primary Computing at Sunderland University.
- David Anderson (Aka Pep the Poet) – Author, poet, speaker
- Dr. Molly Ness – Reading researcher and teacher educator
- Jon Biddle – Y5/6 teacher and English lead
- Phoebe Demeger – Librarian at the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education
- Richard Anderton – Digital Transformation Lead at The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership
Tuesday, Jun 10, 2025
- Poetry Alchemy: Plucking Poems Out of Thin Air
- Raising the Bar on Reading for Pleasure
- Digging Deeper into Reading Fluency – The Fluency Development Lesson
- Building Vocabulary through Morphology Instruction and More
Wednesday, Jun 11, 2025
- Tech Tools for Inclusive Reading
- Leading Reading Strategically for Whole School Improvement
- Crafting a Digital Strategy with Pedagogical Intent
Thursday, Jun 12, 2025
- The Importance of Graphic Novels in the Classroom
- Reading as the gateway to excellent learning: a whole organisation approach to reading
- Building Comprehension and Engagement through Read Alouds
About the host
Baasit Siddiqui
TV personality, entrepreneur in all things education, Director of Siddiqui Education, and creator of the National School Competitions ‘Let’s Pitch It’ and ‘Books on the Box’.
Baasit’s journey on the BAFTA and NTA award-winning ‘Gogglebox’ has allowed him to merge his teaching expertise with his entertainment background to effectively educate, motivate and foster the development of children across the UK. Much of Baasit’s work forwards his mission of supporting upward mobility in young people. Since 2018, Baasit has also worked closely with the TES Institute, supporting teachers in gaining their QTS qualification.
As an educator, teacher trainer and business owner, Baasit has developed his skill set and fostered collaborative relationships over shared commitments to supporting disadvantaged students. These collaborations support Baasit in ensuring that his endeavours have a positive, far-reaching impact on the children and young people he supports.
Speakers and Session
Tuesday 10th of June
Michael Rosen, Tuesday 10th, 10 am
One of Britain’s best-loved writers and performance poets for children and adults.
Author of “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt,” Michael Rosen has produced several materials for children and teachers on writing poetry, available through his website, www.michaelrosen.co.uk. He also writes a monthly news page and blog for teachers.
Michael’s dedication to children’s education is unwavering as he writes a monthly open “letter” to the Secretary of State for Education in The Guardian critiquing Government policy on schools from a parent’s standpoint.
In addition to receiving many awards and honours for his contribution to children’s literature, Michael is an acclaimed BBC Radio 3 and 4 broadcaster and currently a Professor of Children’s Literature at Goldsmiths, University of London.
Click here to register now
David Anderson (Aka Pep the Poet)
A UK-based performance poet and wellbeing champion residing in Rugeley, Staffordshire. After a long and varied career that included teaching and eventually becoming a deputy headteacher, David found his true passion in poetry. Despite harboring a love for writing from a young age, he lacked the confidence to share his work for many years, battling imposter syndrome.
It was in his late fifties that David overcame his fear and embraced his talent, leading to the creation of “Pep the Poet.” His mission is to “scatter sunshine one poem at a time,” and he achieves this through lively performances, engaging workshops for schools, and the publication of his children’s poetry books.
He aims to make poetry fun and accessible, encouraging creativity and self-expression in children. His work reflects a journey of self-discovery and a commitment to using his experiences and his love of language to bring positivity and encouragement to others.
Session: Poetry Alchemy: Plucking Poems Out of Thin Air
Teresa Cremin – Tuesday 10th, 1 pm
Professor of Education (Literacy) at The Open University, UK, and co-Director of the Literacy and Social Justice Centre, which creates space for research, practice and advocacy to enrich educational opportunities for all.
An ex-teacher and teacher trainer, Teresa’s conceptual and pedagogic research focuses on understanding and supporting children’s reading motivation and engagement, and the relationship between this and teachers’ knowledge, practice and identities as readers and writers.
Session: Raising the Bar on Reading for Pleasure
In this session, attendees will explore:
- Revisiting our social justice goals
- Becoming more reader identity focused
- Exploring quality RfP practice
- Documenting impact on students’ Rfp
Tim Rasinski – Tuesday 10th, 3:00 pm
Top 2% of Scientists in the world, Author, and Professor of Reading Education, Kent State University, USA.
Timothy Rasinski is professor emeritus of literacy education at Kent State University and former director of its award-winning reading clinic. He has written over 200 articles and has authored, co-authored or edited over 50 books or curriculum programs on reading education. His scholarly interests include reading fluency and word study, reading in the elementary and middle grades, and readers who struggle.
Session: Digging Deeper into Reading Fluency – The Fluency Development Lesson
In this session, attendees will explore:
- Review the importance of reading fluency for proficient reading.
- Identify the essential tools for teaching fluency.
- Describe and do a simulation of the Fluency Development Lesson, a fluency lesson designed to help struggling readers.
- Provide scientific evidence of the efficacy and impact of employing the Fluency Development Lesson with readers who struggle with reading.
Tim Rasinski – Tuesday 10th, 4:00 pm
Top 2% of Scientists in the world, Author, and Professor of Reading Education, Kent State University, USA.
Session: Building Vocabulary through Morphology Instruction and more
In this session, attendees will:`
- Define the importance of vocabulary and morphology (word roots) in becoming proficient in reading.
- Describe a weekly approach for teaching morphology (word roots).
- Evidence of the impact of morphology instruction in becoming proficient in reading.
- Identify and describe other approaches for developing students’ vocabularies in ways that are effective and engaging.
Wednesday 11th of June
Martin Bailey, Wednesday 11th – 11 am
Digital Enrichment Leader at Ellington Primary School (Northumberland), Director of Animate 2 Educte Ltd and Lecturer in Primary Computing at Sunderland University.
Currently, Martin serves as a part-time teacher and Computer Subject Leader at Ellington Primary School in Northumberland and Birchwood Primary School in Tamworth. He passionately delivers the Computing curriculum to students from Early Years Foundation Stage to Year 6 while spearheading digital enrichment activities and shaping the schools’ digital strategies.
Beyond his classroom commitments, Martin is the driving force behind Animate 2 Educate Ltd, where he acts as a Primary Computing Advisor. Through this platform, he extends his expertise globally, conducting engaging workshops for students and comprehensive training sessions for staff on all aspects of Primary Computing and technology integration.
Session: Tech Tools for Inclusive Reading
This session will explore how technology can be used to support reading accessibility for all pupils, including those with SEND, EAL learners, and those who struggle with literacy.
Attendees will gain practical insights into digital tools and strategies that can enhance reading engagement, comprehension, and fluency.
Throughout the session, attendees will see demonstrations of a range of tools in action and gain practical takeaways for immediate classroom implementation.
Amanda Uffendell – Wednesday 11th, 1 pm
Professional Development Lead for Reading at Whole Education
Before joining Whole Education in April 2023, Amanda held the positions of Second in Department and Key Stage 3 Curriculum Lead for English.
With 17 years of classroom experience, her current mission is to advocate for the academic and moral imperatives of the strategic planning for reading across the curriculum.
Session: Leading Reading Strategically for Whole School Improvement
In this session, Amanda will talk to us about the 5 key areas of the strategic leadership for reading for whole school improvement: Vision and Rationale, Data, Diagnostics and Assessment, Curriculum and Pedagogy, CPD and Leadership.
Attendees will have a deeper understanding of how they might approach the leadership of reading within their school or trust, and apply critical thinking to their unique context to enhance strategic planning for reading.
Click here to register now
Richard Anderton – Wednesday 11th, 2 pm
Digital Transformation Lead for the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP), a Multi-Academy Trust comprising 24 schools, 12,000 students, and 1,500 staff. He spearheads Learning Futures, ATLP’s equitable 1:1 device initiative, leading the deployment and integration of over 12,500 iPads for students and staff. This initiative drives a vision of empowering learning and shaping futures through a pedagogy-first approach.
As a key stakeholder within the trust, Richard also oversees the organisation’s broader digital strategy. His work focuses on enhancing operational efficiencies, achieving cost savings, and pioneering ATLP’s AI strategy to further innovation and progress.
Session: Crafting a Digital Strategy with Pedagogical Intent
- Hear the journey of ATLP and their vision to empower learners and shape futures through equitable access to technology
- Discover approaches to ensure that your vision is implemented with evidenced-informed approaches
- How can you quantify impact for all of your stakeholders?
Thursday 12th of June
Jon Biddle, Thursday 12th, 9 am
Y5/6 teacher and English lead
Jon Biddle is an experienced primary school teacher and English lead. Jon is a passionate advocate of Reading for Pleasure, winning the 2018 RfP Experienced Teacher of the Year award and the 2021 RfP School of the Year award. He coordinates the national Patron of Reading initiative, which is focused on schools and authors developing long-term relationships, is an advisor for Empathy Lab and is part of the UKLA national council.
Jon writes a regular column about Reading for Pleasure for the NEU Educate magazine, where he shares practical ideas that can be introduced into the classroom, and regularly contributes to other publications. He is also part of the editorial team for English 4-11 magazine. Jon loves reading children’s books, and is a particular fan of graphic novels.
Session: The Importance of Graphic Novels in the Classroom
- Exploring how graphic novels support RfP
- Book recommendations
- Strategies and practical ideas for embedding graphic novels in the classroom
Alys Finch – Thursday 12th, 11 am
Alys has worked across the education sector for the past 20 years, with senior and executive leadership roles at local, regional, and national levels. Though she started her career as a Secondary English and Drama specialist, Alys has worked and led cross-phase for most of her career: this vital relationship between the phases, ensuring children’s entitlement to secure their great futures through a continuous, collegiate and creative approach to education, sits at the heart of her work Director of Education.
Session: Reading as the gateway to excellent learning: a whole organisation approach to reading
This session will cover:
- Practical steps for developing reading and the impact these can have.
- Opportunities to think about reading as both a discrete strand and as an integral part of learning.
- Opportunities to think about reading within literacy as a broader part of education in your setting.
- Exploring the impact of implementing the online reading programme Reading Plus at the core of literacy strategy.
Phoebe Demeger – Thursday 12th, 1 pm
Librarian at the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE)
A former Bookseller, she manages CLPE’s extensive library of children’s books, hosts regular visitors to the library, and assists the wider team in their delivery of training programmes and special events. She produces book reviews and recommendations for CLPE, ensuring that the very best titles find their way into classrooms and schools.
Dr. Molly Ness, Thursday 12th, 2 pm
Reading researcher and teacher educator
Molly Ness is a former classroom teacher, a reading researcher, and a teacher educator. The author of five books, Molly served on the Board of Directors for the International Literacy Association and is a New York state chapter founder of the Reading League.
Dr. Ness has extensive experience in reading clinics, consulting with school districts, leading professional development, and advising school systems on research-based reading instruction.
A frequent speaker and presenter, her happy place is translating the science of reading to schools and teachers. As a tireless literacy advocate, Molly created the End Book Deserts podcast, which brings awareness to the 32 million American children who lack access to books.
Session: Building Comprehension and Engagement through Read Alouds
- Supporting Word Identification for Grades 3 – 8 (Year 4 to 9) Readers who Struggle
- Helping educators identify phonics skills gaps in older struggling readers.
- Implement an effective reading intervention program using evidence-based methodology and materials