Penguin, in collaboration with The Runnymede Trust, has launched a new campaign called Lit in Colour to explore ways it can support schools with making the teaching and learning of English literature more inclusive. The project aims to help increase students' access to more books by writers of colour and those from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Campaign aims:

• Commission research from The Runnymede Trust to better understand the scale of the issue and the barriers and make practical recommendations for change. You can access a full description of the research. 
• Offer long-term support for schools by providing tools, resources, training, book donations and author involvement to equip and empower teachers and students to make changes.
• Develop alliances with experts and organisations already fighting for education reform.

External Advisory Board

NAHT is a member of the Lit in Colour External Advisory Board, represented by NAHT's president Ruth Davies. The Board aims to provide insight, thoughts and experiences and to help shape the campaign proposals and work. 

Latest updates

• Access the ‘Lit in Colour’ campaign’s list of ‘Best new children's books by Black authors and illustrators'.
• Read the full research report from Penguin Random House and the Runnymede Trust​, which sets out the state of diversity in literature teaching from KS2 to KS5 in England.  A shorter summary of the key findings from the report is also available here.

Resources

As part of the campaign, Penguin is releasing a range of free resources for all age groups. These resources will be aimed both at the English literature and language curriculum, and also to support reading for pleasure and extracurricular activity.

Newsletter

You can sign up for the Lit in Colour newsletter. The newsletter will share news about the campaign as well as opportunities to access practical support from Penguin, including future book donations and free teaching resources, as well as opportunities to share your views.

First published 26 February 2021