Engaging with research can play an important role in helping you develop your own ideas and practice as an education professional. That’s why we’ve started Meddwl Mawr, a book and journal club designed to support you on your professional learning journey.
We’ll be publishing regular recommendations on this page covering a range of interesting topics, pointing you to some of the great content available on your free online library.
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Your recommendations
February 2025
Diverse Educators: A Manifesto by Bennie Kara and Hannah Wilson
Diverse Educators: A Manifesto presents a compelling exploration of the challenges and opportunities surrounding diversity and inclusion in education. Grounded in the framework of the Equality Act 2010, the book serves as both a critique of systemic inequalities in the education system and a call for meaningful change. It also brings together over 100 educators, exploring the various identities, experiences, and backgrounds that intersect within the teaching profession.
The book is organised into ten chapters, each dedicated to one of the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act. The final chapter explores the critical concept of intersectionality, examining how multiple aspects of identity intersect to shape the lived experiences of educators. Through these chapters, Kara and Wilson provide a comprehensive examination of how these characteristics influence both the day-to-day lives of educators and the broader educational landscape.
The authors weave together theoretical insights with deeply personal stories, offering a dynamic blend of professional expertise and individual narratives. Each chapter not only highlights the lived experiences of diverse educators but also provides a robust analysis of the practical and pedagogical changes needed within the education system. These reflections invite readers to engage in thoughtful dialogue and consider actionable changes, all while emphasising tangible solutions to build a more inclusive and equitable educational environment. By offering a platform for voices in education, Diverse Educators: A Manifesto provides invaluable perspectives on how we can collectively dismantle barriers to inclusion. The contributors bring a wealth of experience and passion, confronting the challenges of discrimination, bias, and exclusion, and proposing ways to improve educational practices and policies.
The book’s practical approach and commitment to systemic change make it a vital resource for those who wish to make a meaningful difference in the lives of both students and educators. Diverse Educators: A Manifesto offers inspiration to all educators interested in inclusive and equitable practice, offering essential insights into the complexities of diversity and practical steps to address the challenges educators face.
January 2025
Narrowing the Attainment Gap by Daniel Sobel
A significant gap exists in Wales between the educational performance of pupils eligible for free school meals (FSM) and their non-FSM peers. This gap has widened in recent years, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disproportionately impacted pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, deepening pre-existing inequalities in education. Recognising the urgency of this issue, the Welsh Government has made raising attainment levels and closing the gap between the poorest children and their peers a key priority.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle, has also highlighted the Welsh Government’s commitment to improving understanding of the attainment gap and where identifying interventions could be most effectively targeted to address this challenge.
Written by a leading expert in the field of inclusion, Narrowing the Attainment Gap explores the complex issues and barriers that contribute to the attainment gap, delivering a compelling and research-driven guide aimed at education professionals grappling with the persistent challenge of educational inequality.
Drawing on extensive research from working collaboratively with over 1,000 schools, the guide uses robust evidence to identify the various causes of the attainment gap and outlines the obstacles educators face in narrowing it. The book provides school leaders with innovative and actionable strategies, including case studies and template resources, helping them to develop bespoke solutions to meet the needs of the pupils in their settings. It further serves as an insightful analysis and a practical resource, inspiring educators to rethink their approaches and work collaboratively towards a more equitable educational landscape.
Suggesting a distinctive link between poor attainment and a lack of motivation, the author argues that raising aspirations is essential for fostering success. The guide also emphasises the crucial role of addressing students' emotional needs and advocates for a holistic approach to education, prioritising the aspirations and wellbeing of all pupils through a whole school approach.
November 2024
Mark. Plan. Teach. Save time. Reduce workload. Impact learning by Ross Morrison McGill
Adding to his collection of 11 other books specifically written as toolkits for educators, Ross Morrison McGill has over 30 years’ experience in teaching and educational leadership working with over 100,000 teachers across the world through his digital media platform @TeacherToolkit. This book suggests that effective teaching revolves around three essential components: marking, planning, and teaching, all of which should align with the teaching and assessment cycle ensuring productive use of time and resource. Mark. Plan. Teach. provides educators with comprehensive pedagogical strategies and practical insights aimed at enhancing their teaching practice and improving student learning outcomes. McGill offers actionable suggestions to boost the effectiveness and efficiency of each aspect, complemented by clear summaries of the research backing his recommendations.
Drawing from his experience as both a teacher and as an educational leader, McGill offers insightful approaches to reduce and manage workloads, enabling educators to maximise productivity and maintain control within the classroom. Using his wealth of experience and shrewd understanding of educational practice, the advice offered throughout the book is useful for both new and experienced practitioners.
Additionally, the book emphasises the importance of a healthy work/life balance and suggests that with confident, structured, and meaningful planning, this can be achieved regardless of the unexpected challenges that arise. This book presents practical and workable solutions to the problems that teachers face day-to-day, thereby enriching the quality of the learning provision.
October 2024
Kids in the Syndrome Mix of ADHD, LD, Autism Spectrum, Tourette's, Anxiety, and More! The One-stop Guide for Parents, Teachers, and Other Professionals by Dr Martin Kutscher
Written by the American paediatric neurologist Dr Martin Kutscher, this book provides a practical guide for educators (and other professionals) on the wide range of neurodiverse conditions in children and young people, with detailed chapters exploring the broad spectrum of neurodiversity.
There has been marked progress in terms of awareness of neurodiversity in recent years, and the support that neurodiverse learners and young people need. This is reflected through the introduction of the new Additional Learning Needs (ALN) system in Wales. However, despite an improved understanding of the strengths and the varied ways in which neurodivergent people process information and engage with the world, individuals with these conditions are still sometimes misunderstood and stereotyped and not encouraged to embrace their unique perspectives.
Kutscher and his co-authors address this through providing clear information on causes, symptoms, and treatments for the various neurodiverse conditions as well as sharing insightful and practical suggestions. Advice is also provided on effective behavioural strategies for educators, parents and professionals working with and responding to children and young people who display traits of these conditions.
The book promotes a broader understanding of the complexities of neurological conditions and places a strong emphasis on holistic approaches to managing behaviour and supporting mental health challenges, which recognise that each child and young person’s needs are unique and require individualised attention
Systematic review and meta-analysis: relative age in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder by Eleni Frisira, Josephine Holland & Kapil Sayal
Research led by the University of Nottingham, published in 2024, has found that the youngest children within a school year are more likely to be diagnosed with conditions such as Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The researchers found that this was occurring as a result of teachers attributing signs of immaturity (associated with younger children being developmentally less mature than their older classmates with whom their behaviour is being compared) to these conditions. The research team noted that the findings highlight the importance of ensuring that teachers are properly trained and supported in understanding the broad spectrum of neurodivergency when assessing for and diagnosing conditions such as ADHD and ASD giving due consideration to the relative age of children within their settings. Read the full article from the journal of European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
September 2024
Emotion coaching with children and young people in schools: promoting positive behaviour, wellbeing and resilience by Louise Gilbert, Licette Gus, Janet Rose
This book includes straightforward descriptions and practical tips, case studies and signposting to resources to apply emotional coaching in educational settings. It also supports educational professionals to promote empathetic responses to challenging behaviours and situations, helping children and young people to understand their emotions and learn to manage and regulate them and their behaviour in the longer-term.
Wellbeing in the primary classroom: Practical Guide to Teaching Happiness and Positive Mental Health by Adrian Bethune
This book, written for primary schoolteachers by an experienced primary school teacher, looks at the latest evidence and research around the science of happiness and positive psychology. Full of tried-and-tested activities and techniques, including mindfulness, positive reflection, physical activity and acts of kindness, it is a helpful guide in supporting emotional and mental wellbeing in the primary classroom.
July 2024
How to survive in teaching: without imploding, exploding or walking away by Dr Emma Kell
As an educational practitioner, you will be aware of the challenges concerning recruitment and retention within education. This book discusses varying perspectives on the challenges and rewards of teaching. It explores successful models and strategies where a combination of support and challenge, accountability, and a sense of being valued have encouraged teachers to enter and remain in the profession. The book reinforces the values held by educational professionals about why they chose a career in education including the fulfilment of working with learners supporting their progress and educational development, whilst also candidly addressing the numerous challenges faced by the workforce. The author draws on their own experience and that of their colleagues, having undertaken a significant amount of research including the evaluation of nearly 4,000 survey responses and interviews with teachers, former teachers and education professionals.
Slow teaching: on finding calm, clarity and impact in the classroom by Jamie Thom
Slow Teaching is a thoughtful exploration of how slowing down in all aspects of education can lead to improved student outcomes. It explores how this method of reflective practice results in improved feedback, more nuanced and skilled classroom management and relationships, meaningful classroom dialogue and retention of knowledge and school leadership, and ultimately better learning. The ‘slow teaching’ technique aims to deepen the craft of teaching thereby growing expert practitioners who are committed to mastering their practice. The author organises the book into seven sections, all easy to read and drawing upon relevant, recent research and literature interwoven with personal experience. Reflecting on strategies that will enable teachers to feel calm, confident and organised, each chapter ends with several ‘slow’ questions to help the reader consider the content and how it applies to them and their situation.
June 2024
Focusing and Calming Games for Children: Mindfulness Strategies and Activities to Help Children to Relax, Concentrate and Take Control. By Deborah M. Plummer
This engaging book offers a practical guide to incorporating mindful play into the classroom, promoting the wellbeing of children and young people by enhancing their awareness of both their inner and outer worlds. The first half of the book provides a theoretical and practical foundation for facilitating mindfulness through play. The latter half focuses more on icebreakers, games and activities.
Ideas and concepts are presented with an open and adaptable approach, encouraging educators to mindfully integrate the games into their practice. The straightforward methodology and emphasis on play mean that the book is accessible for practitioners. The activities are particularly well suited to group settings, making the book an invaluable resource for those interested in fostering mindfulness amongst children and young people.
The Early Years Movement Handbook: A Principles-Based Approach to Supporting Young Children’s Physical Development, Health and Wellbeing. By Dr Lala Manners
Movement is vital for early learners, and Dr. Manners thoroughly outlines its importance for physical development in a structured and accessible format. This book offers practical, straightforward advice for both experienced practitioners and students, blending theoretical perspectives with practical applications. Dr. Manners uses eight core principles to elucidate the central role of physical activity and play in shaping the development of children and young people. Throughout the book, readers will find practical frameworks, activities, ideas, and rationales that highlight the significance of movement. This handbook is an excellent resource for anyone interested in understanding the crucial role of physical activity in early childhood development.
May 2024
Preparing Teachers to Work with Multilingual Learners: (Bilingual Education & Bilingualism) by Meike Wernicke, Svenja Hammer, Antje Hansen a Tobias Schroedler
This book covers a range of approaches to multilingualism in teacher education, drawing from education programmes across Europe and North America.
The authors researched how teachers are trained to work in multilingual contexts and how they are taught about cultural diversity. The book further explores the impact of multilingualism and migrant-background learners and the experiences of students’ different backgrounds.
The writers contextualise their findings with background histories of the countries they are researching, to understand how multilingualism has developed over time. The book also addresses how educational landscapes, history, language policies, and institutional priorities shape teacher training and education alongside multilingualism.
Using Linguistically Appropriate Practice: A Guide for Teaching in Multilingual Classrooms by Dr Roma Chumak-Horbatsch
The presence of students for whom the school language is not their first language creates unique challenges and opportunities for teachers. The author has a wealth of experience in early childhood studies and argues that multilingualism can benefit every child within a class. The book goes into depth on the relationship between theory and multilingual practices and examines how to integrate linguistically appropriate principles into classrooms.
April 2024
Running the room: the teacher's guide to behaviour by Tom Bennett
Every child enters the classroom with different skills, habits, values, and expectations. Running the Room is the teacher’s guide to addressing classroom behaviour and treat it as another area of the curriculum.
Classroom management can be complex, however this book offers evidence-informed and practical strategies for all teachers, regardless of their career stage. Bennett offers readers more than just punish and reward and outlines how improvements begin when you address and identify classroom behaviour. Bennett explains the science of behaviour through common metaphors to encourage the reader, and argues that creating a positive classroom culture has to be deliberate and consistent. For Bennett the emphasis is on behaviours being taught rather than told. Running the room addresses common behaviour myths, and offers new and experienced teacher practical tools and solutions in addressing behaviour.
Why are you shouting at us? The dos and don’ts of behaviour management by Phil Beadle and John Murphy
Phil Beadle and John Murphy guide teachers through the dos and don’ts of behaviour management based on their own teaching experience in some of the most challenging schools. They discuss the importance of managing your own behaviour, and how this is essential when understanding the behaviour of students. The authors use humour to highlight how behaviour management is relatable for everyone. Their honest approach allows readers to fully understand behaviour management and appreciate that it is not just about a tick box exercise.
This book is essential reading for any educators working in challenging schools, or who are looking at how to improve their own behaviour management.
March 2024
Making and Tinkering with STEM: Solving Design Challenges with Young Children by Cate Heroman
This practical, hands-on resource for early years and primary school teachers includes 25 engineering design challenges appropriate for children ages 3–8. There are suggestions for creating a makerspace environment where children can tinker with materials, use tools to make creations, and improve on their ideas. This book encourages STEM-rich exploration and learning, and provides questions and ideas for expanding children’s understanding of STEM concepts. It also equips teachers with a planning template to create their own design challenges to extend children's problem-solving skills and creative thinking.
STEM Education: An Emerging Field of Inquiry by Tasos Barkatsas, Nicky Carr and Grant Cooper
This book presents a contemporary focus on significant issues in STEM teaching, learning and research that are valuable in preparing students for a digital 21st century. The book chapters cover a wide spectrum of issues and topics using a wealth of research methodologies including:
- STEM definition
- virtual reality in the classroom
- multiplicative thinking
- STEM in pre-school, primary, secondary, and tertiary education
- opportunities and obstacles in STEM
- inquiry-based learning in statistics
- values in STEM education
- building academic leadership in STEM
The rise of ChatGPT and what it means for schools by Ryan Fisk – academic journal article
This brief and timely article explores the challenges and pitfalls of AI tools like ChatGPT in schools, for both students submitting work and teachers marking it. It discusses how human input is ultimately crucial to the effectiveness of AI technologies, and how authenticity of school work must be preserved.
February 2024
Celebrating Difference: A whole-school approach to LGBT+ inclusion by Shaun Dellenty
Shaun Dellenty is an ex-primary school leader, he has been named twice by the Independent on Sunday as one of the ‘101 most influential U.K. LGBT figures’ and he was named as one of the Top 100 Global Leaders in Diversity and Inclusion.
Celebrating Difference is an inspirational guide for LGBTQ+ inclusion in schools. The opening of the book details the difficulties Shaun faced growing up, with a lack of role models, open dialogue about diverse identities and homophobic bullying at school in the 1980s. The remainder of the text is a handbook for how individuals can facilitate cultural and organisation change, featuring enquiry questions, case studies and testimonials from people who have used Shaun’s methods in their classrooms.
The book serves to tackle internal biases and prejudices in an intersectional manner, and is relevant to contemporary discussions of race and broader concepts of human diversity.
Previous editions
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