Bradford Literature Festival has now opened bookings for its 2027 Education Programme; offering thousands of young people the chance to experience eight days of inspiring, curriculum-linked events at the University of Bradford and St George’s Hall from 11 to 18 June 2027.
One of the largest cultural education programmes of its kind, Bradford Literature Festival’s Education Programme brings together leading authors, poets, performers, scientists, historians, illustrators and specialist speakers to transform curriculum subjects into memorable live experiences.
Hosted at the University of Bradford and St George’s Hall, the 2027 programme will offer Primary and Secondary students the opportunity to explore subjects ranging from Shakespeare, Earth and Space and Performance Poetry to Rebels and Rulebreakers, Gothic literature, visual storytelling and myths and legends.
Each student place is valued at £25, but attendance is offered completely free to non-fee-paying schools, education groups and home educators, ensuring that financial circumstances do not prevent children and young people from accessing high-quality cultural and educational experiences.
The programme has grown year on year as increasing numbers of schools and families take advantage of the opportunity. Since launching in 2014, 248,792 students and educators have attended BLF’s Education Programme.
In 2026 alone, BLF’s Education Programme welcomed 38,136 children and young people across 78 live sessions, involving 60 primary and secondary schools, as well as home educators and home-educated learners.
For 2027, six specially curated Key Stage 2 days will explore Myths, Legends & Magical Creatures; Earth and Space; Great Explorers: Into the Unknown; Under the Sea; Performance and Poetry; and Introducing Shakespeare.
Six Key Stage 3 and 4 themed days will explore Rebels & Rulebreakers; The World We Live In; Gothic, Monsters & Dystopia; Manga, Anime & Visual Storytelling; Performance Poetry; and Shaking Up Shakespeare.
Rather than simply recreating classroom lessons on a larger scale, each day is designed to immerse students in its subject. Specialists, experts, writers and performers help bring topics to life through talks, demonstrations, performances and interactive sessions, encouraging students to question, participate and discover new perspectives.
Syima Aslam, CEO and Artistic Director of Bradford Literature Festival, said: “Every young person should have the opportunity to experience ideas, stories and subjects brought vividly to life, regardless of their circumstances. Our Education Programme is about creating those moments of discovery, taking learning beyond the classroom and giving children and young people access to exceptional writers, performers, experts and thinkers.
“We are incredibly proud that the programme continues to grow year on year. By offering places free of charge to non-fee-paying schools and home educators, we can remove financial barriers and ensure that thousands of young people are able to take part in enriching cultural experiences that can inspire curiosity, confidence and a lifelong love of learning.”
Each themed day has been developed with particular Key Stages and age groups in mind and is designed to complement curriculum learning while introducing students to different voices, disciplines and perspectives.
Alongside the live programme, Bradford Literature Festival also provides a growing Digital Education Programme, including free lesson plans, worksheets, teaching resources and recorded talks and performances for Key Stages 2, 3 and 4, allowing the impact of the programme to continue in classrooms throughout the year.
The Education Programme forms part of the wider Bradford Literature Festival 2027, which takes place from 11 to 18 June 2027.
Bookings for the 2027 Primary and Secondary Education Programmes are now open. For more information and to book, visit bradfordlitfest.co.uk/education-programme.