Hello colleague
It’s good to be in touch with the latest resources, opportunities and updates.
As ever, the focus is on things that might make a genuine difference to pupils’ thinking and learning - without adding unnecessary workload or reaching for quick fixes.
The response to KS3: The Ambitious Years continues to be enormously encouraging.
Thank you to everyone who has bought the book, shared it with colleagues, used it for staff reading or taken the time to leave a review. I’ve been particularly pleased to hear from schools using it to prompt conversations about transition, curriculum ambition and what Years 7–9 are really for.
The argument at the heart of the book is simple:
KS3 should not be a reset point, a holding pattern or merely preparation for GCSE.
It is where pupils should build on what they bring from primary, encounter rich and demanding content, deepen their knowledge and vocabulary, and become increasingly confident thinkers within subjects.
- depth before pace
- rich and demanding texts
- high challenge with strong support
- curriculum entitlement for all pupils
- building on prior learning rather than unnecessarily starting again
- keeping the intellectual thread from primary through KS3 and beyond
When KS3 is strong, pupils arrive at KS4 with more to build on rather than more to repair.
The book is available here and has just been published on Audible
Schools wanting ten or more copies at a discounted rate can email hello@marymyatt.com
Steve Willshaw and Simon Day have created a new course on reading aloud across the curriculum.
Done well, reading aloud gives pupils access to demanding texts, rich vocabulary and ideas they might not otherwise encounter, while helping to sustain attention and build confidence with complex language.
The 9 part course offers practical guidance for making reading aloud purposeful, inclusive and ambitious. Find out more here.
Abbie Ing and I will be hosting a dedicated online INSET day for schools using The Teachers’ Collection.
The focus is on starting the year with clarity and purpose: using the resources and texts thoughtfully, strengthening the wider reading culture and avoiding another layer of initiatives.
We’ll also introduce our half-termly TTC check-ins, giving schools regular opportunities to reflect on what is working, what they are noticing and what deserves attention next.
- why a story-rich curriculum matters
- identifying a small number of worthwhile priorities
- what a strong start to the year might look like
- making rich reading visible and valued
- using texts and resources to provoke curiosity and deepen learning
- keeping approaches manageable and sustainable
More details are here.
PiXL’s Secondary National Conference brings school leaders together for a full day of practical thinking, keynote input and contributions from leaders working through current challenges in their own schools.
The focus is on having impact now, planning ahead and preparing for the changes facing the sector. I’ll also be speaking at the conference and am really looking forward to being part of the day.
Central Hall, Westminster | 9.00am–3.15pm
There is no charge for PiXL member schools. Non-members interested in attending can contact events@pixl.org.uk
The Literacy Community
Jennifer Webb’s Literacy Community is back for 2026–27 with a free webinar series for literacy teachers and leaders across all phases.
Autumn sessions include secondary reading, Year 7 writing transition, disciplinary literacy and oracy in history, and lessons from the National Year of Reading. Speakers include Jennifer Webb, Helen Bowman, Dr Alex Fairlamb and Martin Galway from the National Literacy Trust.
Registration links are available via The Literacy Community if you sign up to the mailing list here.
A reminder that The Governors’ Gateway is free to access.
It offers short, practical professional learning for school governors, including an introduction series, Catherine Priggs’ 10-part Foundation Series and regular briefings on issues affecting schools.
The aim is simple: to help governors cut through complexity and lead with greater confidence and you can access here.
The National Attendance Portal brings together practical guidance, tools and resources for schools, trusts, families and young people. Its emphasis is on looking beyond attendance percentages to understand the barriers behind absence, strengthen belonging and support better outcomes.
The core resources and Attendance Magazine are free, with additional tools available for schools and leaders who want more structured support with attendance improvement, professional learning and evaluation. More information here.
Safeguarding Scenarios uses short, real-world situations to help staff practise professional judgement and build confidence in responding to safeguarding concerns.
Each scenario takes less than two minutes and can then be discussed in teams. They can also help DSLs identify patterns, assumptions and areas for further professional learning.
I like the principle behind this: moving safeguarding beyond annual compliance training and into regular, thoughtful professional conversation, more info here.
Amjad Ali and Try This Teaching are launching the TA CPD Hub in September - a new online professional development platform designed specifically for teaching assistants.
It will include short monthly video modules, a practical resource library, live webinars and a private professional community.
Group booking reductions are available for trusts and learning partnerships. To register interest, contact Katie Cavill at katie@thelearningline.co.uk or visit Try this Teaching
A few Substacks worth following
- 100% Assessment from Matthew Evans, sharp thinking about assessment, evidence and what we can reasonably infer about learning.
- Ziggy Moore is an Assistant Headteacher and founder of Moore Education, specialising in supporting vulnerable learners
- The Joy Imperative by Joanna Brown, a welcome reminder to keep joy, humanity and purpose in view alongside the serious work of teaching and leadership.
- Alex Fairlamb excellent on history, disciplinary literacy and curriculum.
Two books worth a look
How I Wish I’d Taught Writing by Tim Mills and Clare Sealy
I’ve just started this and am already finding it extremely useful. It tackles some persistent myths about teaching writing and makes a clear, research-informed case for writing as something that can, and should be taught explicitly and systematically.
Calm Leadership by Patrick Cozier
A warm, practical and deeply humane book about sustaining leadership over the long term. Patrick explores how leaders can remain grounded, optimistic and compassionate while still having difficult conversations, making tough decisions and holding high expectations. One I was very pleased to recommend.
Finally, if you’re not already on Teacher Tapp, do give it a go – quick questions and insightful updates!
Please do forward this update to a colleague who might find it useful.
Until next time
Mary