Every summer term BLF’s Education Programme offers a week of eye-opening talks, workshops, and interactive experiences. These events promote curiosity and support developing students into well-rounded and open-minded individuals. Each student ticket is worth £25, but BLF is pleased to offer attendance for free to non-fee-paying schools.
Our Education Programme is bigger and better than ever, offering an opportunity for students to engage with amazing, life-changing literature in all forms from poetry to big ideas. Our Secondary 2026 programme will run from Friday 3 July to Friday 10 July 2026. Our themes include Shakespeare, American Independence, Classic Literature, Performance Poetry, Dystopia & Utopia, and more!
Themed days run from 10:00 to 14:15, with arrival from 09:30. Each day includes four 45-minute sessions, with short breaks in between and a 45-minute lunch break. All our Secondary events are held at St George’s Hall, Bradford.
Book now: Education Programme 2026Book on to our 2026 Programme
Shaking Up Shakespeare
Friday 3 July 2026
Key Stage 3 and 4 English, Drama and History
Shake up everything you thought you knew about the Bard in this lively exploration of his works and their relevance today. Begin with Shakespeare’s world; the people, places, and events that inspired his famous plays.
Dive into his dazzling language, from rhythm and imagery to wordplay and invention, and see how these techniques echo through rap, slang, and contemporary culture. Encounter the emotional intensity of his sonnets, guided by a poet who will bring their beauty and musicality to life. Alongside iconic characters and timeless themes, the day blends performance, creativity, and analysis to reveal why Shakespeare continues to resonate with each new generation.
Venue: St George’s Hall, Bradford.
Time: 10:00 to 14:15, with arrival from 09:30. Each day includes four 45-minute sessions, with short breaks in between and a 45-minute lunch break.
Classic Fiction Everyone Should Read
Monday 6 July 2026
Key Stage 3 and 4 English Literature
What makes a novel a classic, and why do these stories still matter today? Students will explore the enduring power of literature across three key strands. They will see women who defied convention in works like The Handmaid’s Tale.
Examine novels that fought back against injustice, such as To Kill a Mockingbird and Orwell’s work. Revisit Victorian tales that shocked their world, from Dickens and Brontë to Gothic thrillers. Together, these themes show how writers across centuries and cultures continue to shape the way we read and think today.
Venue: St George’s Hall, Bradford.
Time: 10:00 to 14:15, with arrival from 09:30. Each day includes four 45-minute sessions, with short breaks in between and a 45-minute lunch break.
Dystopia & Utopia
Tuesday 7 July 2026
Key Stage 3 and 4 English Literature
Why do writers imagine perfect worlds or worlds gone wrong? Join us to explore how utopian dreams and dystopian nightmares challenge us to think differently about society, freedom and justice. Explore landmark texts from Orwell classic 1984 to modern best-seller The Hunger Games, alongside other visions that shaped and shocked readers across generations.
Students will be invited to design their own alternative worlds, debating what makes a society fair, flawed or fragile. Linking literature to the issues of today, from surveillance and technology to climate and human rights, students will understand why dystopian and utopian stories continue to captivate and provoke debate.
Venue: St George’s Hall, Bradford.
Time: 10:00 to 14:15, with arrival from 09:30. Each day includes four 45-minute sessions, with short breaks in between and a 45-minute lunch break.
The Gothic
Wednesday 8 July 2026
Key Stage 3 and 4 English Literature
Step into the Gothic and uncover why its dark power continues to fascinate. Journey into the haunted mind, exploring paranoia, dreams, and the uncanny in stories that blur the line between reality and imagination. Discover how Mary Shelley reshaped the genre with Frankenstein, introducing science and philosophy into Gothic writing.
Trace how Gothic traditions like eerie settings, outsiders, monsters, secrets, are reimagined in today’s culture through books, film, and digital storytelling. The day also looks towards Gothic futures, where science fiction collides with the supernatural to create new visions of fear. Blending psychology, literature, and creativity, the day shows how the Gothic continues to capture the imagination.
Venue: St George’s Hall, Bradford.
Time: 10:00 to 14:15, with arrival from 09:30. Each day includes four 45-minute sessions, with short breaks in between and a 45-minute lunch break.
Performance Poetry
Thursday 9 July 2026
Key Stage 3 and 4 English and Spoken Language
Performance poetry comes alive in this vibrant day of spoken word and creativity. Across the day, four distinctive poets will take to the stage, each bringing a unique performance style and writing approach, from slam and spoken word to lyrical and narrative traditions.
Alongside performing their own work, poets will share insights into the craft, from choosing words and shaping rhyme to the themes and experiences that inspire new writing. The day culminates in the creation of a mass poem written together with guidance from a skilled facilitator, celebrating poetry as both personal expression and collective art.
Venue: St George’s Hall, Bradford.
Time: 10:00 to 14:15, with arrival from 09:30. Each day includes four 45-minute sessions, with short breaks in between and a 45-minute lunch break.
American Independence
Friday 10 July 2026
Key Stage 3 and 4 History, PSHE and English
2026 marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, a bold document that declared freedom and self-government and reshaped history. This themed day explores the revolution it sparked, the powerful words of the Declaration, and how its call for rights still echoes in movements for change today.
Through stories, debate, and creative sessions, students will connect past and present struggles for justice. Practical workshops on language and voice show how ideas are not only written but spoken, performed, and lived, bringing the drama and urgency of independence to life for a new generation.
Venue: St George’s Hall, Bradford.
Time: 10:00 to 14:15, with arrival from 09:30. Each day includes four 45-minute sessions, with short breaks in between and a 45-minute lunch break.
Additional Information
Cancellation Policy and Incurred Fees
We are pleased to offer our events free of charge to non-fee-paying schools and home educators across the North. However, organising these events incurs significant costs. If you need to amend or cancel your booking, please inform us as early as possible.
Cancellations can be made up to 2 months after your booking, up until 2 March 2026. After this date, all cancellations will incur a charge of £10 per pupil per event. Please note, each student ticket is worth £25, but BLF will reduce this to £10 per ticket for cancellations. We understand that exceptional circumstances may arise and are happy to work with you to find a suitable solution.
Event Locations and Transport
Key Stage 3 & 4 (Secondary) events will take place at St. George’s Hall, Bradford.
Please note, schools are responsible for arranging their own transport. Please confirm transport arrangements and availability before booking your places.
Event Schedule
Themed days run from 10:00 to 14:15, with arrival from 09:30. Each day includes four 45-minute sessions, with short breaks in between and a 45-minute lunch break.
Booking Information
You may bring as many students as you’d like, whether it’s a class or an entire year group. You can also bring students on multiple days. By booking, you are committing to a full event day (four sessions), from 10:00 – 14:15. To avoid wasted spaces, we ask that you only book tickets you are confident will be used.
Tickets are required for all attendees (students and staff). A Lead Teacher ticket is needed for each booking, which includes your school’s details. Additional staff should be booked using Additional Staff tickets.
No tickets or QR codes are needed on the day. At registration, simply provide your school name and event details to check in.
To ensure a smooth booking process, please obtain senior leadership approval and confirm transport arrangements before making your reservation. This helps avoid late cancellations due to unavailable transport, unexpected costs, or staffing issues. By taking these steps in advance, you can help us prevent administrative challenges and reduce wasted tickets. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].
Visitor Pack
After your booking is confirmed, we will send a visitor pack with practical details, including parking and risk assessment information. A detailed itinerary, including the day’s events and participating artists, will be sent closer to the event date.
Lunch Arrangements
Students should bring a packed lunch, as no food is available for purchase on-site. Lunch breaks will be held in outdoor spaces near the venue. In case of severe weather, alternative arrangements will be made.
An event I want to book is sold out – can I join a waiting list?
Yes, if an event is sold out you will see the option to join a waiting list. For our Secondary Key Stage 3 & 4 events, if we receive a cancellation suitable for the size of your school group we will be in touch to confirm your booking. Adding your details to the waiting list gives our team an estimate of interest levels.
First Aid Provision
A first aider will be available at all event sites throughout the day.
Photography and Videography
We request that all parents and guardians are informed that photographs and video will be taken.
If parents/guardians do not wish for their child to be photographed or recorded then these students will be identified with a yellow lanyard – this enables our team to ensure that they are excluded from event recordings.
These will be provided by Bradford Literature Festival, and school staff are responsible for distributing these lanyards and ensuring they are visible at all times.
Access Requirements and Seating Information
If any of your students have specific access needs (e.g., sensory processing, physical accommodations, visual or hearing support), please let us know in advance so we can provide appropriate resources. To discuss access needs, contact us at [email protected].
Seating is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, with school groups seated together. If a student needs a break, quiet spaces are available. Students may take time out as needed, but must be supervised by a staff member.
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