Improving children’s reading AND writing: Connecting research and practice
Five online sessions focusing on children’s reading and writing will take place across April-June from 4pm – 5pm. These sessions are designed for UK primary school teachers, primary school leaders, literacy leads and education consultants.
The sessions are designed to provide research insights to support children’s reading and writing acquisition and development. With a focus on supporting both reading and writing skill, all those attending will have greater access and insight into contemporary research to inform their classroom practice.
Participants will gain insight into implications for practice, a curated collection of key open access research articles and, if all sessions are attended, a certificate of completion.
Sessions can be booked individually for £15 each or all four sessions can be booked at a discounted price of £50.
Sessions overview
Free webinar:
Supporting reading for pleasure in primary schools: Examining the evidence and children’s perspectives – Tuesday 14 April, 16:00- 17:00pm
Delivered by Professor Sarah McGeown
Supporting children to reading for pleasure is a key priority in this National Year of Reading, but which ‘reading for pleasure’ practices work? This session will explore common practices, from independent reading and teacher read-aloud, to book-talk, reading diaries, annual celebrations, and the use of rewards. It will examine the research evidence, and children’s perspectives of these practices, to provide teachers with useful insights to support their classroom practice.
Four paid online sessions:
Session 1: Learning to read – Thursday 30 April 2026, 16:00-17:00pm
Delivered by Professor Sarah McGeown
This session highlights the core skills underpinning reading development, research-informed practice to support children’s word reading, and the importance of nurturing an early love and interest in books, words, and stories.
Session 2: Reading motivation and engagement – Thursday 14 May 2026, 16:00-17:00pm
Delivered by Professor Sarah McGeown
This session provides insight into the importance of reading motivation and engagement throughout primary school, research-informed principles to support reading engagement, and the reading, language, social and emotional benefits accrued from reading.
Session 3: Learning to write – Monday 1 June 2026, 16:00-17:00pm
Delivered by Ross Young
This session explores key aspects of writing development, research-informed strategies to support children as apprentice writers, and the importance of nurturing a lifelong love of writing.
Session 4: Writing motivation and engagement – Monday 22 June 2026, 16:00-17:00pm
Delivered by Ross Young
This session provides insight into the importance of writing motivation and engagement throughout primary school, research-informed principles to support children’s engagement with writing, and the social, emotional, and expressive benefits gained through the experience of being a young writer.
Biographies
Professor Sarah McGeown is Director of the University of Edinburgh’s Literacy Lab. She has published widely in academic and professional journals, with research focusing on early reading acquisition and development to motivation and engagement in reading. She is an advocate for research-practice partners and closing the gap between research and practice to improve children’s reading experiences and outcomes.
Ross Young is a former primary school teacher and co-founder of The Writing for Pleasure Centre. His work focuses on translating writing research into effective classroom practice, and he regularly collaborates with teachers and children in schools. He has written several books on teaching writing and leads professional development through organisations such as the UKLA. Ross is currently a PhD researcher at the University of Edinburgh’s Literacy Lab, studying children’s writing lives in partnership with the National Literacy Trust.