Tabatha Sheehan, Head of English at Westonbirt School, looks at how by taking the time to introduce diverse texts to your GCSE English Lit curriculum, you are preparing students for life beyond the classroom.
Offering more diverse texts isn’t just about expanding your GCSE English Literature curriculum, it’s about preparing your students for the outside world
National Poetry Day is here – and with it, a chance to celebrate the amazing work that pupils have created for Pearson through poetry. Today we take a look at how learners have led the way in shining a light on their journeys and experiences, by sharing our top selection of powerful lines.
Read on for wonderful work from across the UK, plus ideas to help your young bards find fresh inspiration.
Captain Louise Sara is a Fleet Captain and Director of Maritime Standards for a large cruise and travel company. In this personal post for Pearson, she shares her journey to captaincy, using maths to navigate the way.
Deborah Maclaren, MD of LoveReading, LoveReading4Kids and LoveReading4Schools explains why reading isn’t just for term time and why it is important to encourage children and young people to read for pleasure over the summer break.
Every teacher encourages their children and young people to read, in class and at home, but when the summer holidays come around, six full weeks off school, how can you encourage your children to not only continue reading, but continue reading for pleasure?
When I was growing up, we weren’t a household with many books, but from the age of five, I fell in love with books - the characters, the illustrations, I was hooked! I was a regular at my local library and right through my formative years, I continued to read voraciously but didn’t really have any advice as to what I should read next.
Each year thousands of children's books are published for all ages so it’s not often easy to recommend books – the choice is vast! At LoveReading4Kids and at LoveReading4Schools we feature our favourite books to help guide children, parents, and teachers across the country to books that will engage and excite.
After much debate, here are some of the 2022 stars that could be great summer holiday reads – a selection of brilliant books for every age range, from primary through to teens.
Reception/ Year 1/ Year 2
Marv and the Pool of Peril
This 5+ age range is critical for the newly independent reader finding their feet. They’re starting to lose interest in picture books and want chapter books, but illustrations are key as full scary pages of text can be off putting. And Alex Falase-Koya delivers this in spades in Marv and the Pool of Peril, with a fast-paced adventure set at a
waterpark birthday party. This action-packed story is lively and fun, and with cartoon illustrations on every page, it’s a delight for this age range!
Year 3/ Year 4
Neon’s Secret Universe
Neon Gallop is trying to be as normal as she can when her family move home. But all her plans go wrong when a green lipstick found in goo opens the portal to the Universe! From Sibéal Pounder, the best-selling author of the fabulous Witch Wars and Bad Mermaids series, this quirky fantasy tale will transport your young readers through the summer holidays.
Year 5 / Year 6
The Shark Caller
Zillah Bethell was born in the shadow of the volcano Mount Lamington in Papua New Guinea. She grew up without shoes, toys or technology. Consequently, she spent a lot of time in the sea swimming and in canoes and we are glad she did as we join her, diving beneath the waves, with this spell-binding adventure of friendship,
forgiveness and bravery, set on the shores of Papua New Guinea. I defy you to find anyone that has read The Shark Caller since it hit the shelves last year, and not adored it. A gripping and inspiring read.
Year 7 - Year 11
We Were Wolves
The award-winning illustrator Jason Cockroft returns with a beautifully atmospheric book for 11+ readers, rich with symbolism and deep in the natural world. Readers will be captivated by the tale of Medal Boy, who lives alone in a caravan in the woods, while his dad is away in prison. Carefully handles themes of father-son bonds and PTSD with a powerful, artistic style.
Oxygen Mask
Our July 2022 Graphic Novel of the Month is an outstanding collaboration between Carnegie medal-winning Jason Reynolds and acclaimed artist Jason Griffin. Created to resemble a lined notebook – a written artefact of 2020 – Oxygen Mask connects the death of George Floyd with the rise of Covid, the grip of pollution and protesting victims of tear gas. Though anchored in the age of pandemic, this must-read has a timeless set of messages to share.
Year 12 – Year 13
If You Still Recognise Me
Cynthia So’s compassionate debut is a sparkling story of queer fandom, finding love, and finding your tribe that explores issues of racism, sexism, homophobia and abusive relationships in a coming-of-age story with unexpected complications. Born in Hong Kong, and now based in London, So’s sweetly satisfying first book is sure to win the hearts of many a teenage reader.
Happy holiday – and happy reading!
Deborah Maclaren
MD of LoveReading, LoveReading4Kids, LoveReading4Schools
The LoveReading family — LoveReading, LoveReading4kids and LoveReading4Schools — a keen supporter of Pearson’s My Twist on a Tale writing competition, exists because reading matters, and books change lives.
Reading for pleasure can have a significant impact on the outlook and interactions of entire communities. Pearson heavily supports the need for children and young people to read for pleasure.
Find out more about Pearson’s Primary and Secondary resources.
From forecasting weather to filming deep seas - exploring students’ Future in Maths with a new film series
When most students think of careers that use maths, what first comes to their minds?
Could it be teaching? Accountancy? Something solitary?
How far does their imagination stretch?
Robert McGregor is a teacher and the founder and director of STEAM Powered Education, created to help children get a head start in Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) through after-school club and holiday workshops in local schools. In this blog, Robert explains the value of a STEAM education in Primary school.
Chris Seager and Melanie Muldowney are Co-founders of Just Maths and Maths Teachers who have previously worked at the "most improved school in England”. They were also part of the team that won "TES Maths Team of the 2016".
Launched in 2012, Just Maths is an online community and network of resources - born from the passion and spirit of three full-time teachers who have a genuine belief in the power of collaboration and sharing ideas and best practice.
After their recent appearance on The Right Angle podcast, Chris and Mel talk about how to prepare your GCSE Maths students as we approach the first summer exams series in two years.
On 11th May, the Department for Education published the provisional list of technical qualifications that would be in scope for defunding from 1 August 2024 in England. Read our full response.
Matt Parker is a renowned stand-up comedian and maths author, with a popular YouTube channel attracting almost one million subscribers. Originally a maths teacher from Australia, Matt now lives and works in the UK. His new book, Humble Pi, is a Number 1 Bestseller.
Following Matt’s recent appearance on Pearson’s The Right Angle Podcast, Subject Lead and Podcast Host Nicola Woodford-Smith, reflects on their discussion and shares learnings on ways that teachers can foster a passion for maths among learners – not least by encouraging acceptance of mistakes and failures.
