Fun Games and Activities for Children with Dyslexia: How to Learn Smarter with a Dyslexic Brain by Alais Winton

As we mark Dyslexia Awareness Month this October, this month’s Meddwl Mawr recommendation highlights a valuable resource for educators: Fun Games and Activities for Children with Dyslexia: How to Learn Smarter with a Dyslexic Brain by Alais Winton.

Drawing on her own experiences as both a dyslexic learner and educator from Wales, Winton presents a collection of creative, hands-on activities designed to support children who learn differently. Rather than focusing on challenges, the book offers practical ideas for helping children engage with learning in ways that suit how their brains work best.

In recent years, Wales has made progress in improving support for learners with dyslexia and broader Additional Learning Needs (ALN). This is reflected through the Additional Learning Needs Code for Wales 2021, which offers guidance on early identification and provides a clear framework for creating personalised Individual Development Plans (IDPs) tailored to each learner’s needs.

Winton addresses this through exploring a variety of learning styles such as visual, musical, physical, and social, providing activities that feel natural, engaging, and easy to implement in both mainstream and neurodiverse classrooms. These approaches not only help children absorb information more effectively but also foster confidence without adding pressure.

The activities range from spelling games, to memory-enhancing tasks involving rhythm, repetition, and movement. Each one is designed to make learning more accessible, enjoyable, and personalised. The book’s clear structure and adaptable format makes it helpful for teachers to modify activities to suit different age ranges, abilities, and classroom dynamics.

A Manifesto for Excellence in Schools by Rob Carpenter

Rob Carpenter’s A Manifesto for Excellence in Schools is a passionate and inspiring guide for educators and leaders. Drawing on his extensive experience as an Executive Headteacher, educational speaker and CEO of the Inspire Partnership, Carpenter shares his journey in transforming underperforming schools into thriving learning communities. He offers a practical, values-driven roadmap for creating inclusive, high-performing environments where every learner is nurtured and encouraged to succeed.

Combining principle and practice, the manifesto highlights real-life examples, and thoughtful reflection, and outlines how teachers and leaders can create meaningful learning journeys that connect with learners' lives. Firmly believing that the quality of teaching and leadership is the key factor in raising standards, the author shares a wealth of actionable strategies to help educators and leaders design learning experiences that promote collaboration, and cultivate critical thinking to foster long term meaningful engagement. Rather than focusing solely on attainment, Carpenter advocates for a more holistic approach in education, putting collaboration and creativity at the heart of school improvement.

A Manifesto for Excellence in Schools is a compelling read, which ignites thought provoking discussions with its insight and evidence-informed practice theories. Suggesting new ways to ensure that all learners succeed, the manifesto advocates that learning journeys are connected to moral purpose and positive learning habits which are integral to learners and young people in understanding the world around them.

Educating Outside: Curriculum-linked outdoor learning ideas for primary teachers by Helen Porter

This book is aimed at helping teachers to embrace the concept of outdoor learning, arguing that this type of learning is more relevant and memorable, potentially leading to deeper learning experiences. Though outdoor learning is widely recognised for its benefits, its consumption often declines as learners and young people progress through their education. One reason for this is that educational practitioners frequently experience expansion within their roles with growing workloads and mounting accountability pressures. The requirement to implement a growing range of new initiatives, while simultaneously embedding the Curriculum for Wales often allows little time for strategic thinking and planning. Educating Outside seeks to offer a practical solution to this by outlining a variety of outdoor learning ideas, the strategies behind them and their desired outcomes to enhance and enrich the typical classroom experience across the whole of the curriculum.

The book offers clear, structured lesson plans tied to specific curriculum goals, allowing easy implementation. Each includes a list of required resources, including the logistics that need consideration, the desired learning outcomes, including the development of softer skills, as well as photos to guide the process. All activities are designed to be carried out within the school grounds, eliminating the need for extensive risk assessments, unnecessary time consumption, and additional costs. Integrating the natural environment into various areas of learning and adopting a learner-led approach, the author argues that this further encourages curiosity, autonomy and engagement. The aim of this style of learning is to support learners deepen their understanding of core subjects beyond the confines of the classroom through holistic practices fostering self-awareness, sustainability and an understanding of the environment in which they live.

For teachers looking to infuse their classroom techniques with more outdoor learning opportunities, this book is a great resource that not only provides innovative lesson ideas but also supports the Curriculum for Wales’s vision of outdoor learning as a key pedagogical approach.

We are delighted to be able to provide free access to four of Dean’s bestselling books, through EBSCO, to our registrants. The books are all highly readable and combine humour, research, and real-world relevance and help to make neuroscience both understandable and entertaining.

The Idiot Brain: A Neuroscientist Explains What Your Head Is Really Up To

Stepping into Senior Leadership: A guide for new and aspiring school leaders by Jon Tait

Whether you’re looking to refine your leadership skills or transition into a senior leadership role, Stepping into Senior Leadership is a must-read guide for educators at all stages of their career. Tait, a highly experienced and influential leader currently serving as Director of School Improvement and Deputy CEO at a multi-academy trust in North Yorkshire, brings a wealth of practical insights drawn from his extensive career in educational leadership.

The book is divided into four sections, covering a range of key topics for leaders and aspiring leaders in education: preparing for senior leadership, making the shift from middle management, leading teams, and supporting the development of others. Over 20 chapters, Tait simplifies complex leadership challenges and provides manageable, actionable advice, making it easy for educators to apply these lessons in their role.

Tait provides clear strategies for building strong connections with staff, including managing difficult conversations, maintaining accountability, and running effective meetings. He also offers actionable guidance for critical aspects of senior leadership, from creating a standout application and acing interviews to settling into a new role and establishing a vision for the future of the school. Tait encourages self-reflection throughout, offering tools to help teachers assess their personal leadership style. This book is a great resource for educators who aspire to take the next step in their leadership journey.

The Trauma and Attachment-Aware Classroom: A Practical Guide to Supporting Children Who Have Encountered Trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences by Rebecca Brooks

The Trauma and Attachment-Aware Classroom is an essential guide for educators looking to better understand and support children who have experienced trauma and attachment difficulties. Brooks draws on her background as a teacher, foster carer, adoptive parent, and Education Policy Advisor for Adoption UK, to offer an insightful perspective on how trauma affects children's ability to form connections and thrive in educational settings.

Using real-life examples from UK schools, Brooks provides guidance on how to adapt teaching strategies to better support these children, enhancing both their learning and well-being. She offers clear illustrations of how traditional school approaches can inadvertently affect children with trauma or attachment issues. The book also outlines alternative, trauma-sensitive, approaches that create more supportive classroom environments. Through this, she outlines a clear roadmap for positive transformation, encouraging meaningful change in schools.

Brooks provides key reminders of how early trauma can be displayed in a child’s behaviour, often becoming apparent in the classroom. She offers strategies for teachers to recognise and address triggers, helping children navigate their emotions and better cope with challenging situations. Therapeutic approaches such as PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy) and NVR (Non-Violent Resistance), are highlighted as practical tools to support the emotional and intellectual growth of children and young people. This book is a great resource for educators who want to create a nurturing environment for children affected by adverse childhood experiences.

How to be an Outstanding Primary School Teacher by David Dunn

David Dunn, primary school head teacher in the west midlands, draws on his wealth of experience in the second edition of How to Be an Outstanding Primary School Teacher. With a background as an advanced skills teacher, and years of collaborating with educators and school leaders, Dunn offers valuable perspectives on what truly makes an exceptional classroom.

This updated edition is filled with practical, straightforward strategies designed to enhance lessons and improve everyday teaching practices. Dunn demonstrates how to make meaningful improvements without dedicating excessive time to lesson planning, preparation, or creating complex resources.

Drawing on his deep understanding of the challenges teachers face, Dunn covers essential areas including effective lesson planning, differentiation strategies, questioning, and assessment — each aimed at fostering student progress. This revised edition also reflects the latest shifts in educational policy and teaching practices, with content focused on integrating technology into the classroom. It includes a wide array of useful activities, lesson starters, plenaries, and online resources, all designed to enhance teaching while saving valuable time.

How to Be an Outstanding Primary School Teacher is a must-read for anyone looking to create a more engaging, effective, and rewarding classroom environment. With a focus on today’s educational realities, this book is an invaluable resource for modern educators seeking to make a lasting impact on their students’ learning experiences.

Diverse Educators: A Manifesto by Bennie Kara and Hannah Wilson

Diverse Educators: A Manifesto presents a compelling exploration of the challenges and opportunities surrounding diversity and inclusion in education. Grounded in the framework of the Equality Act 2010, the book serves as both a critique of systemic inequalities in the education system and a call for meaningful change. It also brings together over 100 educators, exploring the various identities, experiences, and backgrounds that intersect within the teaching profession.

The book is organised into ten chapters, each dedicated to one of the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act. The final chapter explores the critical concept of intersectionality, examining how multiple aspects of identity intersect to shape the lived experiences of educators. Through these chapters, Kara and Wilson provide a comprehensive examination of how these characteristics influence both the day-to-day lives of educators and the broader educational landscape.

The authors weave together theoretical insights with deeply personal stories, offering a dynamic blend of professional expertise and individual narratives. Each chapter not only highlights the lived experiences of diverse educators but also provides a robust analysis of the practical and pedagogical changes needed within the education system. These reflections invite readers to engage in thoughtful dialogue and consider actionable changes, all while emphasising tangible solutions to build a more inclusive and equitable educational environment. By offering a platform for voices in education, Diverse Educators: A Manifesto provides invaluable perspectives on how we can collectively dismantle barriers to inclusion. The contributors bring a wealth of experience and passion, confronting the challenges of discrimination, bias, and exclusion, and proposing ways to improve educational practices and policies.

The book’s practical approach and commitment to systemic change make it a vital resource for those who wish to make a meaningful difference in the lives of both students and educators. Diverse Educators: A Manifesto offers inspiration to all educators interested in inclusive and equitable practice, offering essential insights into the complexities of diversity and practical steps to address the challenges educators face.

Narrowing the Attainment Gap by Daniel Sobel

A significant gap exists in Wales between the educational performance of pupils eligible for free school meals (FSM) and their non-FSM peers. This gap has widened in recent years, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disproportionately impacted pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, deepening pre-existing inequalities in education. Recognising the urgency of this issue, the Welsh Government has made raising attainment levels and closing the gap between the poorest children and their peers a key priority.

The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle, has also highlighted the Welsh Government’s commitment to improving understanding of the attainment gap and where identifying interventions could be most effectively targeted to address this challenge.

Written by a leading expert in the field of inclusion, Narrowing the Attainment Gap explores the complex issues and barriers that contribute to the attainment gap, delivering a compelling and research-driven guide aimed at education professionals grappling with the persistent challenge of educational inequality.

Drawing on extensive research from working collaboratively with over 1,000 schools, the guide uses robust evidence to identify the various causes of the attainment gap and outlines the obstacles educators face in narrowing it. The book provides school leaders with innovative and actionable strategies, including case studies and template resources, helping them to develop bespoke solutions to meet the needs of the pupils in their settings. It further serves as an insightful analysis and a practical resource, inspiring educators to rethink their approaches and work collaboratively towards a more equitable educational landscape.
Suggesting a distinctive link between poor attainment and a lack of motivation, the author argues that raising aspirations is essential for fostering success. The guide also emphasises the crucial role of addressing students' emotional needs and advocates for a holistic approach to education, prioritising the aspirations and wellbeing of all pupils through a whole school approach.

Mark. Plan. Teach. Save time. Reduce workload. Impact learning by Ross Morrison McGill

Adding to his collection of 11 other books specifically written as toolkits for educators, Ross Morrison McGill has over 30 years’ experience in teaching and educational leadership working with over 100,000 teachers across the world through his digital media platform @TeacherToolkit. This book suggests that effective teaching revolves around three essential components: marking, planning, and teaching, all of which should align with the teaching and assessment cycle ensuring productive use of time and resource. Mark. Plan. Teach. provides educators with comprehensive pedagogical strategies and practical insights aimed at enhancing their teaching practice and improving student learning outcomes. McGill offers actionable suggestions to boost the effectiveness and efficiency of each aspect, complemented by clear summaries of the research backing his recommendations.

Drawing from his experience as both a teacher and as an educational leader, McGill offers insightful approaches to reduce and manage workloads, enabling educators to maximise productivity and maintain control within the classroom. Using his wealth of experience and shrewd understanding of educational practice, the advice offered throughout the book is useful for both new and experienced practitioners.

Additionally, the book emphasises the importance of a healthy work/life balance and suggests that with confident, structured, and meaningful planning, this can be achieved regardless of the unexpected challenges that arise. This book presents practical and workable solutions to the problems that teachers face day-to-day, thereby enriching the quality of the learning provision.