Reading Year 2026

"Reading Year" refers to the National Year of Reading 2026, a major UK-wide campaign led by the Department for Education and the National Literacy Trust, launching in January 2026 to combat declining reading habits by making reading modern, meaningful, and social for all ages, with a goal of building a lasting culture of reading for pleasure. The initiative, branded "Go All In," involves events, resources, and community engagement to encourage reading across schools, libraries, and workplaces.

The Conference takes place at the Bedford Campus at the Gateway Building, facing Polhill Avenue. The postcode is MK41 9EA. 

NAPE has organised this conference to inspire your teaching in reading in all its different forms. You can choose up to two workshops. Students will be booking through the University. The timetable for the day is setout below and you will see there is a break for lunch.  Lunch is included in the cost of the booking for visitors.

Details about the Key Note speaker and Workshop leaders can be found here.

 

Programme for the day

9.30am Welcome by : Dr Perry Knight, Head of School of Education

 What is NAPE? : Mick Waters, President of NAPE

9.45 am Key Conference Speech by Dr Roger McDonald, Associate Professor (Literacy)

10.35 am Any questions?

10.45am Thanks by the Chair of NAPE, Mike Aylen

10.50 am A reminder about the NAPE Table.

10.55 am Speaker: The Volunteer Readers Table

11am Coffee

11.30 am 1st Breakout groups (Choice of 4)

12.45 pm Lunch

1.45 pm 2nd Breakout Groups (Choice of 4)

3.00pm Tea

3.15 pm Q & A final session and thanks

4.00 pm Finish

 

 

Students of the University of Bedfordshire are free.

Visitors £60 or £50 if you are a NAPE member. Details of joining NAPE can be found here.