Debra is Professor Emerita of Education at the University of Exeter, UK, and a Fellow of the British Academy. Her research has focused particularly on the inter-relationship between metalinguistic understanding and writing; and writing pedagogy.  Underpinning this research is the principle that literacy, especially writing, is a pathway to empowerment. 

Emma Mudge has over 20 years of experience working in primary education. Throughout this time, she has become a leader in a wide variety of areas throughout the school including Assessment, Teaching and Learning, Curriculum Management and Lead DSL, to name but a few. As Deputy Head Teacher and Acting Head Teacher, she has been at the forefront of school leadership and improvement. During her role as English leader, she successfully introduced new approaches which significantly raised attainment. This led her to be approached to support other English coordinators across Birmingham, make presentations to school leaders and become a member of a small group of specialist teachers and leaders, tasked with improving the reading attainment in a number of schools across the city.

Martin is Head of School Programmes at the National Literacy Trust. Previously he worked as a Teaching and Learning Adviser for HFL’s Primary English Team, a leading teacher for English, primary school teacher & lecturer in film. Martin specialises in reading and writing development with interests including reading fluency instruction, grammar,  literacy difficulties, and oracy. 

Sonia Thompson is the Headteacher at St Matthew’s C.E. Primary School and the Director of St Matthew’s EEF (Education Endowment Foundation) Research School, in Nechells Birmingham. St Matthew’s is a Talk for Writing Training Centre and previously held DfE Teaching School status. Her school regularly hosts’ visits for teachers, Headteachers and MATs, who want to see evidence-informed practice across the curriculum. Sonia recently published a book called, An Ethic of Excellence in Action; has had articles published and regularly reviews blogs for SchoolsWeek. She has a chapter in, the researchED Guide to the Curriculum and is a contributor to the new WALKTHRUs 3 book. Sonia is a board member of the UKLA National Council and the Birmingham Diocese. She is also a trustee for the Church of England National Society, Classics for All and the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF). Sonia is regularly asked to deliver keynotes and training at various conferences and events, across the country.