Poverty

We're talking about 'grit' again, are we? Our Ian Gilbert shares his thoughts on grit, resistance and that wonderful Finnish concept of sisu.

Three-minute read

Each year before SATs week, headteacher Rachel Tomlinson sends that letter to her year six classes. The Daily Mail hates it...

Five-minute read

The way our teachers talk to us so often defines us. But it doesn't have to be that way. Poet, speaker, Associate and 'disappointment' Mikey Markham shares his experience of being dyslexic in the classroom. 

Seven-minute read

Here are ten provocative questions Ian Gilbert has drawn from his best-selling book, The Working Class, that can form part of any school's discussion when it comes to 'closing that gap.

Five-minute read

Isn't it time we paid the men and who women who empty our bins more than bankers? So suggests controversial Dutch historian Rutger Bregman in this short BBC video. We throw in a rousing version of Fanfare for the Common Man too.

Ten-minute watch and read

Associate Martin Illingworth brought his contribution to The Working Class book to life with a short video that asks teachers to look carefully at the hopes, aspirations, desires and talents of all children in their care.

Nine-minute watch

A blog to celebrate Careers Week from new Associate Andrew 'Bernie' Bernard for teachers and school leaders about careers planning and the myth of equality.

Four-minute read

Having once described charity as 'icing a rotten cake', Independent Thinking founder Ian Gilbert suggests we look beyond the bake sale with the help of one simple three-letter word.

Five-minute read

One of the events that led us The Working Class, was this contribution to one of our 'Thinking Saturdays' by Chris Kilkenny. It was all about his life growing up in poverty and being invisible to his school. It changed our perspective on so much - like it will yours.

Ten-minute read