Pearson Schools Blog

GCSE English will be our first exams in a core subject to go fully onscreen, subject to Ofqual approval. But why GCSE English first?  

The answer builds on ongoing research, pilot schemes and conversations we’ve undertaken to better understand how onscreen assessments might work, why and in what way they’re useful for students (and schools and colleges) and importantly, why and when we should implement them.

What gets measured tends to get done. In primary schools this means a curriculum driven largely by English and maths.

But perhaps assessment needs to help us look below the surface of these headline measures. Why? Consider these research findings:

• Children with poor language at age five are six times less likely to reach the expected standard in literacy at age 11 than those with good language, and 11 times less likely to reach the expected standard in maths.
• Children’s reading ability is dependent on their oral language skills – their vocabulary and language structures. The contribution of spoken language skills to reading is not confined to reading comprehension; it also predicts how easily they will learn phonics.

In this blog, Mr Bates Creates reviews Pearson's Primary Interactive Library – a great time-saving resource which can support any classroom and can help you deliver a well-rounded lesson.

Pearson, the world’s leading learning company, and Persona Education, the online personal development provider for schools and colleges, have entered into a new pilot project. Together, we’re creating a series of digital badge programmes aimed to support GCSE learners with the development of 22 social-emotional skills, or “life skills”. 

Reading is an integral skill to life and one which we need to unlock in order to open many other doors to learning. We know that not all children learn in the same way and that many of them face barriers, especially in reading.

Research has shown that enjoyment of reading is key to future success. However, we also live in a digital age, where our pupils spend a vast amount of their time consuming information via digital and social media platforms. Although print is important, access to digital books on a range of devices can give children more opportunities to read.

It’s said that a picture paints a thousand words and Art Director, Kate Johnson, couldn’t agree more. Kate shares her perspective on the importance of imagery and how you can support pupils to build literacy skills in a creative (and colourful) way.

Ahead of COP27 and Pearson’s Sustainability Webinar, young environmental activist James Miller shares his take on the positive impact education can make on the world and what needs to be considered to achieve it. 

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