NEWS
Lit in Colour Pioneers programme launches to support more schools
Almost 8 in 10 English teachers in secondary schools have diversified their texts in the past three years according to new research from digital media learning company Pearson. With more than a third reporting increased student engagement and more enjoyable lessons as a direct result, more than half would like to further diversify their English texts in the coming years.
Commissioned in January to mark the launch of the fourth year of the popular Lit in Colour Pioneers Pilot Programme, the nationally representative survey asked secondary English teachers to consider the use of diverse texts in their subject over the last three years and assess progress. It found that 53% of teachers feel English lessons are more representative of their students and the world around them than in 2020, while 45% now feel more confident teaching diverse texts than they did before.
Reflecting on the context of the most recent findings, Pam McLoughlin, Lit in Colour programme lead at Pearson, said: “For so long now we have heard calls by communities around the world for greater inclusion and representation. In 2020, these calls were amplified via landmark research
by organisations like the National Literacy Trust, which reported that a third of students aged 9 to 18 do not see themselves in what they read. “In 2020 Penguin Books and the Runnymede Trust launched the Lit in Colour campaign to support UK schools to make the learning and teaching of English literature more inclusive of writers of colour. In 2021, they published research which found that fewer than 1% of students in England study a book by a writer of colour at GCSE – despite 34.4% of school-age students identifying as Black, Asian or minority ethnic.
“These findings helped kickstart the Lit in Colour Pioneers Pilot Programme, through which we’ve since helped over 26,000 students from over 220 schools and colleges have access to a text by a writer from the global majority. To hear in our findings that so many English teachers have witnessed positive developments in their schools over the past three years is encouraging, but we know that there is more to do. We want all schools and learners to have access to diverse texts and we know that the majority of English teachers are eager, ready and motivated to be part of the change – which is why truly diverse, accessible programmes like Lit in Colour are so important.”
To apply to be a Lit in Colour Pioneer this year, a school or college must commit to changing one of their set texts (at GCSE and /or A Level) to a text on the Lit in Colour programme. They will begin teaching their new set text from September 2024, with the first examination in 2025 or 2026.
go.pearson.com/litincolour
Up-and-coming musicians strike chords beyond the classroom
Xaverian students have set their sights on success by forming bands and increasing their following on Spotify. The students all attend Xaverian College to study a mix of A Levels and BTEC courses whilst all sharing the burning ambition to be successful in the music industry.
Founded when they were in Year 10 at St Ambrose College by Cole Johnson and Elliott Carson, Crook On The Wall is an up-and-coming indie rock band who recently released their debut single, ‘Imperial Mind’, on October 14th.
Since its release, the single has gained lots of traction on streaming platforms and has featured on Radio X and numerous local radio stations. The band is now preparing to play at their first festival this year and gigs across their hometown of Manchester.
Cole commented: “We’re really excited for the future! We’ve all put so much time and effort into making music and are really proud of what we have achieved so far.
“We’re really lucky that Xaverian has been so supportive. We chose to study at the college because of the diverse community and the sense of freedom to find yourself alongside your studies.”
Elliott added: “The teachers are great! They made the transition between school and College as smooth as possible and have helped us find a nice balance between completing our A Levels whilst still prioritising making music.”
https://xaverian.ac.uk
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www.education-today.co.uk
February 2024
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