As part of their commitment to reducing inequality and increasing diversity in literature, Pearson have partnered with publisher, Penguin Random House UK and race equality thinktank, The Runnymede Trust, to support UK schools in diversifying their English Literature curriculum.

The partnership sees Pearson joining Lit in Colour, an initiative launched by Penguin and The Runnymede Trust in 2020 to explore how to increase UK students’ access to books by writers of colour and those from minority ethnic backgrounds, in order to ensure the teaching and learning of English Literature better reflects contemporary culture and society.

The Lit in Colour Pioneers programme will see Pearson work with an initial group of 100 schools to offer guidance and resources for teaching GCSE and A Level English Literature set texts by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic writers in the new academic year. They will receive free access to:

• Copies of the set texts for every student in the relevant year group.
• A programme of work and series of free resources including CPD training webinars for teachers and school librarians, plus qualification switching support and training where required
• Support programmes of work for each set text, including creative content from authors including videos and a range of resources to support the specification
• A Lit in Colour mini library including 300 free Penguin books by writers of colour designed for all age groups, together with colourful posters and artwork
• A student ambassador programme

In addition to the bespoke support for 100 schools, the Lit in Colour Pioneers programme will offer all secondary schools across the UK free access to the online training events and workshops, as well as free digital teaching resources.

The programme opens for applications in March, but schools can keep up-to-date by registering their interest here.