Brighton & Hove Reading Conference launches the city’s reading charter

On Wednesday 28 January, we hosted the first Brighton & Hove Reading Conference for schools at the University of Sussex. This launched the city’s Reading Charter, which coincides with the National Year of Reading, a campaign aiming to encourage more people to discover the joy of reading.

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. 

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. 

The event included presentations from the council’s Teaching and Learning Consultants, school colleagues, Springhill English Hub and the University of Sussex.

A keynote speech was delivered by children’s 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’s Laureate (2015-17), providing illustrations throughout the day and closing the conference with his reflections. 

Reading Charter

Brighton & Hove’s 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.

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’s English Hub project. 

If you’re a teacher, you can register your school to begin your journey to achieving the Brighton & Hove Reading Charter Bronze Award.

Promoting the joys of reading 

Councillor Emma Daniel, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Youth Services, said: “The Brighton & Hove Reading Conference was a fantastic day, with exciting and engaging discussions highlighting how we can all work together to create a culture of confident and enthusiastic readers. 

“I’m delighted that we have launched the Brighton & Hove Reading Charter in the National Year of Reading. We look forward to supporting schools across the city to work towards achieving bronze status while promoting the joys of reading and literacy.”