Last month saw the proud launch of our new Impact pages. Here, you’ll find the first tranche of case studies and evidence showing exactly how our programmes and professional development help teachers to have the biggest impact on each of their children.

Don’t get us wrong. We’re not trying to lay claim to credit that belongs to you. One of the central tenets of the Pearson Primary manifesto is that we support teachers to do what they do best.

We know that it’s the quality and the passion of your teaching that has the greatest impact on children’s learning. But we also know that teaching is a huge job. You have to be an expert in all things: the subjects you teach, pedagogy, assessment, classroom management, curriculum design… and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

So let us take some of the pressure off your shoulders. You can trust us to support you with fantastic resources and training that help you do your job as brilliantly as you want to. We know, though, that trust is won, not given, and that’s what our impact site is all about.

Evidence through to impact

It matters to us that the programmes and professional development we create really do help children to achieve in their education. That’s why we build our programmes on respected research and evidence - such as the Clackmannanshire Study into Synthetic Phonics - and why we sponsor studies by leading academics into key areas of Primary assessment, pedagogy and policy.

When we're talking about children's futures, though, it's not good enough simply to create a resource and send it out into the world to make its own way.  That's why Pearson is committed to evaluating and reporting on the impact of our resources – and improving them, when necessary, to make sure they do not just a good, but a great job for the teachers and children using them.

We do this while we are developing them - road-testing them with real teachers and children. We do this by checking in with our customers once they have bought them to see how they are using them in their school, and to what effect. We do this by giving them to Local Authorities to test with groups of schools in their area.

So, please do check out the case studies, infographics and research summaries to see the positive impact that the partnership of great teachers and great Pearson programmes and professional development have been having in schools like yours.

Then, if you would like to, get in touch with us to tell us about your experiences with them. Perhaps you'd be willing for us to do a case study based on your school, or perhaps you would just like to tell us what you think works best, or what you would do differently if you could. Please use the comment function below and we'll be in touch.

P.S. - This is an evolving site, with more to come for maths and intervention, so why not bookmark it to make sure you get updates?

At Pearson Primary, one of our main manifesto pledges is that we put learners at the centre of everything we do. For us that means every child getting their chance to shine.

That's why we're so proud of the work of our colleagues at Pearson Clinical Assessment, who, along with the Communication Trust, sponsor the annual Shine a Light Awards.

These awards recognise the amazing work done by organisations and individuals to help children and young people with language and communication difficulties.

Host of the award ceremony, David Baddiel, summed up why it is so important to recognise this contribution: “Speech and language problems too often go under the radar, so everyone should not only be congratulated for their work but for bringing this important issue to the attention of others."

He went on say, "I would like to say well done to all those shortlisted who have shown true grit and determination to better themselves and others. They are all a true inspiration - keep up the good work.”

We at Pearson Primary couldn't have put it better ourselves. In the Primary sector, there was one outright winner and two highly commended finalists:

Winner 

Aerodrome Primary Academy School (featured in picture above). Aerodrome Primary Academy has introduced numerous initiatives to support their pupils from the Children’s Centre and Nursery through to Year 6, focusing on improving the communication skills of all pupils.

Aerodrome Academy is dedicated to providing a whole school approach and has developed a strong commitment to working closely with parents. The school's “A chance for all” approach impressed the judges resulting in amazing pupil progress and we are delighted to announce Aerodrome Academy as this year’s winner.

Highly commended

John Ruskin Primary School, which was praised for its creative support for children with speech, language and communication needs and its systematic approach to developing the communication skills of all its pupils.

Lark Hall Primary School. The judges particularly liked the fact the school shop was run by the students as it gave them valuable opportunities to develop communication skills. Congratulations to the three winners and to all of the finalists, for all of the incredible work they do.    

Parents: 7.45 a.m. So, the Age 5 trousers look a little short but the Age 6 trousers are dragging on the ground – which looks least stupid?

8.15 a.m. Before the summer I had 14 water bottles, now I only have 1… which kid do I like most?

8.30 a.m. Can’t believe we’re going to be late on the very first day. If I was a pair of black school shoes where would I have put myself for six weeks?

8.45 a.m. Can’t wait to see my mummy friends again… Ooh, and yes of course, hope you have a lovely first day back, darling!  

Kids:

6.00 a.m. Yep, I’m awake. I think I’ll go and jump on mummy.

7.45 a.m. I want a chocolate biscuit for breakfast. No, not cereals. No, not toast. No, not even Pain au chocolat. I want a Wagonwheeeeeeeeellll!

8.30 a.m. Why is mummy in such a flap about this? I wish she’d stop asking where I put my shoes – that was like YEARS ago.

8.45 a.m. Yay! It’s like a giant reunion party.

9.30 a.m. I miss my old teacher

3.15 p.m. I LOVE my new teacher!  

Teachers:

8.30 a.m. Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more

8.45 a.m. Are you going to be a problem, Mrs Parent?

8.50 a.m. Name labels. Need name labels!

10.00 a.m. Blur

11.00 a.m. Blur

12.00 p.m. Blur

1.00 p.m. Blur

2.00 p.m. Blur

3.15 p.m. Must match children to correct parent. Aaaarggh, escapee. Back ‘ere, Jones!

3.30 p.m. Only six more parents in the line to see me.

3.45 p.m. Shattered!