Penguin Lit in Colour
Books create belonging. They help us see each other and understand one another. They shine a light on the world.
It’s vital that the books we read in our formative years reflect the rich diversity of the society we live in.
That’s why Penguin have joined forces with The Runnymede Trust to explore how to support schools to make the teaching and learning of English literature more inclusive. Together with a range of partners, like Tes, the Lit in Colour campaign is increasing students’ access to more books by writers of colour.
To help do this, Penguin has commissioned ground-breaking research to shine a light on barriers preventing more books by Black, Asian and minority ethnic writers being taught in the classroom and to make recommendations for what needs to change.
Since Lit in Colour began in 2020, Penguin have worked with partners to bring books by authors of colour into schools through the creation of book lists, by collaboration with various partners to create a steady pipeline of free educational resources and facilitating author events around the UK.
Penguin Lit in Colour Conference recordings and resources
You can now watch all the primary and secondary sessions from our Lit in Colour conference and download these Lit in Colour commissioned free resources that will support you to deliver the topics and texts covered in the conference in your classroom.
Diversity in English
In this webinar four secondary school teachers explore some of the issues that stem from the lack of diversity in English teaching that they’ve written about in The National Association for the Teaching of English (NATE)’s magazine ‘Teaching English’.
Topics covered include: Discussing race: Adjusting the ‘safe space’ in the English classroom by Dr Furzeen Ahmed, Embracing vulnerability: Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable when discussing race by Jessica Tacon, It’s never too early to teach the truth about Empire by Aaishah Rauf and Beyond curriculum changes: A closer look at race and assessment by Lesley Nelson-Addy.
Panellists also provide practical tips and best practice methods to help teachers bring more diversity into their English classrooms.
Secondary resources
KS3 Teaching Resource: The Boy with the Topknot by Sathnam Sanghera
KS3 Resource Pack: Becoming: Adapted for Younger Readers
KS3 Teaching Resource: The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman
KS3 Teaching Resource: A Dutiful Boy by Mohsin Zaidi
KS3/4 Teaching Resource: Run, Rebel by Manjeet Mann
KS4 Teaching Resource: Burnt Sugar by Avni Doshi
In partnership with the Penguin and Runnymede Trust Lit in Colour campaign, these webinars offer an exclusive early look at the Lit in Colour research report, and practical tips and recommendations for how you can make change in your classroom.
Penguin and The Runnymede Trust commissioned a team of academic experts to carry out research to better understand what barriers might be preventing more diverse texts from being taught in school, and to make practical recommendations for change.
Hear exclusive insights from the research team – Dr Velda Elliot, Lesley Nelson-Addy and Rose Chantiluke.
Please watch and send your thoughts to @tesresources #litincolour
Primary Teachers Preview Webinar PowerPoint
Secondary Teachers Preview Webinar PowerPoint
Lit in Colour: State of Change Report 2023
