Roger Morris, Librarian at Washwood Heath Academy, was invited to share his expertise at the National Literacy Trust's annual conference on 6 July.

Through the academy's ongoing collaboration with academics from the University of Birmingham, Washwood Heath Academy has played a key role in a number of literacy engagement projects designed to foster a love of reading among young people.

At the conference, Roger joined Dr Amy Burge from the University of Birmingham to present their pilot study exploring how schools can build a stronger culture of reading for pleasure. Their work focused on increasing the representation of authors and texts from diverse backgrounds within the school library, helping students to see themselves reflected in the books they read while broadening their understanding of the world around them.

Roger's innovative approach has attracted significant interest from schools across the country, with many librarians keen to replicate the academy's distinctive 'Tapestry' section within their own libraries. Roger's presentation showcased not only his expertise and creativity, but also his unwavering passion for literacy and reading.

We are incredibly proud of Roger for representing Washwood Heath Academy and the Multi-Academy Trust on a national stage. His work continues to inspire colleagues and demonstrates the powerful impact that a well-curated, inclusive library can have on young people's reading lives.