On Wednesday 28 January, we hosted the first Brighton & Hove Reading Conference for schools at the University of Sussex. This launched the city\u2019s Reading Charter, which coincides with the National Year of Reading, a campaign aiming to encourage more people to discover the joy of reading.<\/p>\n
The event was organised in partnership with Springhill English Hub, one of 34 Department for Education hubs established to promote a love of reading and provide tailored literacy support.\u00a0<\/p>\n
More than 100 delegates from 50 schools and education providers across the city attended the conference, from all education phases from nursery to Key Stage 4.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The event included presentations from the council\u2019s Teaching and Learning Consultants, school colleagues, Springhill English Hub and the University of Sussex.<\/p>\n
A keynote speech was delivered by children\u2019s author M.G. Leonard, alongside a guest talk from Vanessa Lewis, co-founder of The Book Nook bookshop in Hove, with Chris Riddell, UK Children\u2019s Laureate (2015-17), providing illustrations throughout the day and closing the conference with his reflections.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Reading Charter<\/p>\n
Brighton & Hove\u2019s Reading Charter was launched at the conference inviting schools to pledge to develop a culture of reading in our city that celebrates our children and their enjoyment of reading, so they become life-long readers.<\/p>\n
The Brighton & Hove Reading Charter has been developed by a team of local teachers and council officers in partnership with Springhill English Hub and funded by the Department for Education\u2019s English Hub project.\u00a0<\/p>\n