I am a Secondary English teacher and KS5 Curriculum Leader currently working in Dudley. I am the co-lead of the Sandwell and Dudley TRG and I have worked as a long lister and shortlisted for the UKLA Book Awards over several years. I have a keen interest in promoting reading for pleasure with older readers and using picture books to enhance the curriculum at KS3 and encourage affective engagement with texts. As a Chartered Teacher, I have developed research into the impact of reading for pleasure pedagogy on boys and how we can challenge the ‘reluctant reader’ label in our classrooms.