The Working Classroom

The Working Classroom should be essential reading for anyone concerned about the disadvantage gap in schools. It is both sensitive and punchy: sensitive in its framing of the considerable disadvantages for many pupils and punchy in its bold, yet workable, suggestions for addressing these.Mary Myatt
A compelling and important read. The justifiable anger that the authors feel about the inequities of our society and education system fizzes through the book. As they say, 'We need to do more; we need to take affirmative action'. And The Working Classroom gives the educator scores of practical and inspiring ideas about what they can do to effect change, with uplifting case studies, planning templates, reflective questions and model lesson plans. This book is well researched, comprehensive, readable and well-timed. A must-read!Rachel Macfarlane
Bromley and Griffith have produced a masterpiece with The Working Classroom. The investigation of injustices in our contemporary world, and how it is skewed against working class people has a depressing whiff of familiarity, but to offer practical solutions for educators to start to deliver social justice from within is a stroke of genius from the authors. The balance of championing working class culture in the classroom against the very real risk of thereby encouraging classism, is beautifully done. Read the book. Then be angry. Then, well, then, let's change the world.Ant Sutcliffe
Excellence in any context is a judicious mix of high intention, sincere effort and intelligent execution. This is an excellent book: very well referenced, analytical, packed with stories and providing a commanding compendium of practical ideas for the classroom. The section on speaking, reading and writing is as succinct and authoritative as any teacher could wish for.The experienced authors assert that 'much of this book has been written in anger... angered at how unequal our society has become'. They channel their anger skillfully in producing a text to support teachers and leaders who wish to make a particular difference for 'the forgotten third' in our schools. It is fifty years since I first entered a Brixton primary classroom - it is inspiring to read Matt Bromley's and Andy Griffith's contemporary, compelling narrative about changing children's lives.Roy Blatchford
As schools across the country grapple with the impact of both the cost of living crisis and deepening social inequality, this important book could not be more timely. It is an educational call to arms which is full of practical ideas and solutions to close the poverty-related attainment gap and enable all young people to thrive.Christine Downie
This ground-breaking book achieves two vitally important objectives. First, it puts the elephant of social class firmly back in the centre of the room by clearly outlining the many reasons we should pay attention to inequalities of social class in education. Second, it tells the reader what we can do, as teachers and educators, to address those inequalities. In the Working Classroom Bromley and Griffith present bold and innovative plans that recognise and address the long-neglected need for affirmative action if we are to tackle the extensive class discrimination in education.Diane Reay
This book gives an excellent account of the role that social class plays in schools, the inequalities it causes, and ways that those in the education system can support students in reducing the inequalities they may face.The book is laid out in easy-to-read sections that are filled with anecdotes, ideas to improve practice and questions to allow for practitioner self-reflection. Whether you are looking to teach your students about social classes, start an extra-curricular club, become a more adaptive educator or enhance your current curriculum, this book contains all the ideas to help level the playing field and mitigate some of the effects of classism faced by your students.Everybody working in an education setting who wants to make a difference to their students' lives should read this book.Laura Tonge
'The Working Classroom' is a thought provoking and challenging read. It unpicks the ways in which working class students are disadvantaged by an education system designed without them in mind and looks at some practical ways in which we as a profession could be doing more to improve the life chances of the disadvantaged. We all go into teaching in the hope that we can make a difference but Andy and Matt challenge those ideals by suggesting that unless we change what we are doing we are likely to be simply contributing to an educational regime which continues to fail those who start their learning journey in last place. Doing what we've always done perpetuates a system which is designed by the middle class for the middle class and continues to see the gap between the 'haves' and the 'have nots' widening.Duncan Jacques
This is a book that is on the side of the group of youngsters for whom the traditional classroom and the learning it offers is difficult to understand. Hard hitting, poignant, methodical and practical, it helps the teacher look through the eyes of the people they teach and see ways they could make the way they work enticing for the pupils and more enjoyable for themselves.Persuasive insights are supported with analysis of research and well-structured advice... a must for every staffroom and teachers who really care.Mick Waters
This book identifies the colossal barriers youngsters living in poverty face and then expertly weaves in the authors' life experiences, observations from the classroom and academic research as ammunition for 'Everyone being Exceptional'. It is a practicable collection of approaches for those of us at the chalkface who battle day to day for better outcomes for children living in poverty. This is a vital read for anybody working in schools providing the reader with a greater understanding of the complexities and difficulties youngsters living in poverty face and the strategies to overcome them. Living in poverty needs to be the tenth protected characteristic!Mark Ayers
This book deepens the understanding of the reasons why the odds are stacked against the working class in education and provides practical solutions to make a positive difference for these pupils in their classrooms. It can be a read all at once book but, more usefully for busy school practitioners, it can be dipped in and out of, to find strategies that have already been identified as making a difference elsewhere.Sue Bourgade
A book that feels in touch with reality. Based upon sound research, with absolute relevance to schools in challenging areas that serve a unique community. Lots of strategies to support working class pupils in making progress and overcoming obstacles to achieving their true potential. Focus on parental engagement and the importance of the curriculum - key highlightsTony McGuinness