Exploring Literacy in an Ever-Changing World is the theme for the UKLA National Conference 2025, which takes place online on Saturday March 1st.  The conference will address the challenges and opportunities for the teaching of literacy in an age of constant technological and social change.

A programme of key note presentations and workshops will give delegates the opportunity to hear from authors, academics and practitioners as they share insights and practical strategies that primary and secondary teachers can take back to the classroom.

Key note speakers:

• Award-winning poet and performer Coral Rumble will be discussing the need to expand our understanding of minority, difference and disadvantage with reference to characters in her own children’s books and the works of others.
• Professor Robin Banerjee, professor of developmental psychology at the University of Sussex, will share preliminary findings from an ongoing research project that is looking at the links between reading fiction and children’s empathy and prosocial behaviour.

Workshops:

• Why do we still need to learn to write? Perceptions of generative AI from the classroom: Learn how students and teachers view and use Generative AI ad explore creative ways to maximise its potential to support teaching and learning.
• Building a culture of empathy through reading: Explore the link between empathy, reading and oracy with practical activities to maximise the empathy-boosting impact of reading.
• What can we learn from the Early Years?: Explore ways to build on the pedagogy of the Early Years to develop creativity and enjoyment in reading and writing in KS1 and KS2.
• The power of ‘Poetry by Heart’: Inspiring a lifelong love of poetry: Learn how to use the Poetry by Heart competition to celebrate pupil voice, build oracy skills and develop a greater appreciation of poetry.

Cost: £30/£40 for UKLA members/Non-members. Students £10.

About UK Literacy Association: The UKLA is a registered charity dedicated to informing and supporting all those concerned with the development of language, literacy and communication.