Readers to Writers 2027 Creative Writing CPD Conference for Teachers

The only conference of its kind in Shropshire for anyone involved in primary school education, with workshops delivered by recognised expert practitioners. 

As well as providing practical information about Shropshire Bookfest's Readers to Writers creative writing project, the aim of the Conference is to equip Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 teachers in raising engagement with writing for pleasure for all children and providing an inspiring enrichment to schools’ existing writing lessons. 

During the day, all teachers will have the chance to work with each of our three workshop leaders:

• Kathy Roe, Lead Advisor in Primary English at HFL Education (formerly Herts for Learning)
  In Kathy's workshop 'Reading as Writers: Making Meaningful Connections Between Reading and Writing', participants will discover how to strengthen pupils' writing through the purposeful study of high-quality texts. This session explores what it means to 'read as a writer', helping teachers move beyond comprehension to notice and teach the craft choices that authors make. 
  
  Participants will learn how to select effective mentor texts, develop pupils' understanding of the writer's craft, build meaningful success criteria, and integrate grammar teaching through authentic texts. 
  
  Packed with practical examples and classroom strategies, this session will support teachers in creating stronger links between reading and writing, enabling children to write with greater confidence, purpose and sophistication.
  
  HFL Education is a not-for-profit organisation providing all the services, training and resources needed to deliver a great education to every child, to help them flourish and reach their full potential. Their experienced English advisers work alongside schools and policy-makers to help leaders develop ambitious curricula, strengthen teaching and learning, and improve outcomes for all pupils.
  
  
• Martin Brown, illustrator of the Horrible Histories series, author of Lesser Spotted Animals Books 1 and 2, Patron of Shropshire Bookfest. Martin's workshop will explore the powerful link between writing and drawing, guiding teachers through character creation, visual storytelling and conveying emotion through illustration.
  
  
• Ros Roberts, author of Digger and Me (shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award), Every Cloud (nominated for the Carnegie medal) and Knowing the Score
  Ros led a series of fantastic school workshops for Shropshire Bookfest’s Readers to Writers creative writing project in 2025. With many years of primary teaching experience before becoming a published author, Ros will focus her workshop on what teachers can do after their author visit in January 2027—practical, purposeful activities to continue developing pupils’ writing back in the classroom. 

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Conference programme:

9.15 - 9.45am -    Arrival and registration

9.45 - 10.00     -    Welcome

10.00 - 11.00     -    Workshop 1

11.00 - 11.20      -    Coffee

11.20 - 12.20     -    Workshop 2

12.20 - 13.20    -    Lunch (provided)

13.20 - 14.20   -    Workshop 3

14.20 - 15.00  -    Readers to Writers 2027 - making the most of taking part