Latest news and insights

There are two high-frequency themes that arise in the engagement of parents/guardians in the development of reading at home: reaching those that you really, really want to reach; and moving others away from thinking that listening to their child read more challenging words is the goal. This latter has a related issue: once the child can read independently, there can be a perception that no more parent-level engagement is required – and we’ll come back to that.

Who do we see in the imagined worlds of literature – do we see ourselves, and do we see others? 

Stop. Just stop whatever you are doing and go and have a look at the book corner in Year 5. What does it look like? What does it tell you about the reading culture in your school? What do the children think of it? Do they want to grab a book? Do they want to immerse themselves in a new world, a new dimension or a story about someone just like them? 

Dear Learner 

Huge congratulations to all of you who will be receiving your results this week. Over the last eighteen months you will have heard the word ‘unprecedented’ repeated regularly and, through these extraordinary times, I have been in awe of the resilience, fortitude, agility and determination of you all as you’ve faced the challenges and new landscape of learning head on. 

Today, twelve organisations that represent and support staff and students in schools, colleges and universities have written to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson urging him to reconsider restricting students’ choice of qualifications at the age of 16. 

Carol Vorderman and Pearson set to make maths an adventure this summer with free six-week course for children.