From Emerging to Exceeding: Understanding Reading Progression

Caroline Derby, Oxford University Press

Caroline Derby is Head of Reading and Languages at Oxford University Press She works closely with teachers, academics and publishing teams to create evidence informed resources that improve outcomes for learners.

In Caroline's session Right book, right reader, right time, discover how Oxford Reading levels can help you put the right book into a child's hands at the right time, and explore how levelled books can form part of a rich and motivating reading culture. 

Jude Evans, Peters

As Head of Buying at Peters, Jude works closely with publishers to ensure we always have the best accessible books available for schools.

In her session 'A book for every child,' Jude will discuss the latest publishing trends and recommend some of the best new books to suit young readers of all abilities, and across a wide range of interests.

Mel Glazzard, Independent Literacy Specialist

Mel Glazzard is a consultant in Education providing English Curriculum support and leadership development in Early Years, KS1 and KS2. Mel divides her time working for St John Bosco English Hub; programme lead for early reading support, delivering CPD, providing audits and in-school support and in recent years, has taken on a substantive role working with Manor Teaching School Hub to deliver curriculum and writing support for PEIA schools in the Black Country.

Mel played a substantive role in writing, developing and delivering content for the RISE Universal offers to schools, developing conferences and masterclasses on reading, writing, vocabulary development, adaptive teaching and utilising assessments. 

Christopher Lloyd

Christopher Lloyd is an author, publisher and educational entrepreneur. He is the founder of What on Earth Publishing, an independent children’s publishing company specialising in highly visual non-fiction books that encourage young people to explore the connections between history, science, nature and the wider world.

He is also the founder of What on Earth! Magazine, an award-winning children’s current affairs and knowledge magazine published in the UK and United States. 

Lucy Strange

Lucy Strange is a former secondary school English teacher and now a multi-award-winning children’s and YA author. Often inspired by British landscapes, history, folklore and the gothic genre, Lucy’s stories capture elements of classic children’s literature in a style that is engaging and accessible for today’s young readers.

Her latest Barrington Stoke book, Murder on a Midsummer Night, is the first in a brand new, quick-read cosy crime series. The Boy At The Window was the Peters Children's Book of the Year in 2026. 

Jane Walker, Barrington Stoke

Jane Walker is Sales and Marketing Director at award-winning publisher Barrington Stoke, with over 25 years' experience publishing top-quality short novels by the UK's best writers. Barrington Stoke's books are expertly edited and produced to ensure they are accessible to all – as a quick engaging win for confident readers and a satisfying achievement for those who have to work harder. 

Jane will share insights into Barrington Stoke's publishing process that looks to remove the barriers to reading at every step, to enable every child the opportunity to develop a love of reading.