The National Literacy Trust (NLT) has announced that the primary conference Raising Voices, Raising Literacy will be a celebration of authentic self-expression.

Taking place in Bradford, the 2025 UK City of Culture, the conference will examine spoken communication as a foundation for primary literacy and consider how best to pool the expertise and resources to support young people’s written and spoken communication in the primary classroom. 

Key Information on the NLT Raising Voices, Raising Literacy Conference.

Thursday 27th March 2025
9:00am - 4:00pm
Bradford City Football Club

Book your space here

Confirmed Conference Speakers 

The NLT will welcome speakers from the world of poetry and academia to offer practical and creative ways to engage a generation of young writers. Alongside educators and a musician, the panel of speakers will include the following authors:

Jeffrey Boakye: Being a better host: How teachers can empower identity

Jeffrey will explore why tackling conversations in the primary classroom around social justice is both necessary and empowering. In addition, he will examine ways to support all children to celebrate their identity within the school environment.

A.M. Dassu: Writing yourself into your story

In her empowering keynote, A. M. Dassu will explore the importance of individuality, using your own voice when reading and writing, and giving children the confidence to write from their own unique perspectives.

Jonny Walker: Preach it before you teach it

Jonny will explore how building your love of poetry can boost your confidence in delivering lessons in the classroom.

Matt Goodfellow: Poetry as rebel writing

Matt will discuss the notion of poetry as "rebel writing" and, as such, how it can act as a valuable channel for children's self expression

You can find titles from some of the fantastic speakers below:

By Jeffrey Boakye
Kofi and the Secret Radio Station
Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer
I Heard What You Said
Musical Truth: A Musical Journey Through Modern Black Britain
Musical World: Modern World History as You’ve Never Heard it Before
Black, Listed: Black British Culture Explored

By Matt Goodfellow
The Final Year 
The First Year
Bright Bursts of Colour
Chicken on the Roof
Let's Chase Stars Together

By A.M. Dassu
Can You Find My Eid Presents? 
Kicked out
Boot It!
Fight Back

By Jonny Walker
Beside the Banyan Tree
Heroes and Quests
The Sweet Shop Clean Up
The Science of Dreaming

@Literacy_Trust | @a_reflective | @jeffreykboakye