Pupil Book Study: Writing

Pupil Book Study: Writing is an evidence-led framework for supporting schools in evaluating the impact of their Writing curriculum. Building on the global success of the original Pupil Book Study frameworks, this publication will explore the complex nuances of how to get children writing effectively.

Writing is widely acknowledged as one of the most cognitively demanding aspects of the curriculum and leaders have sought for many years to balance the competing demands the subject. Pupil Book Study: Writing guides teachers and leaders to examine each facet of the writing process through a research-informed lens to help them understand how well their provision is serving their children.
This approach allows us valuable insights into the lived experience of our curricula models, shining a light on how well learning endures. If you are looking for a more meaningful approach to monitoring and evaluation that puts children at the centre of the process, Pupil Book Study: Writing is for you.

With more than 29 years of experience in education as a teacher, headteacher and leading adviser for school improvement, Alex Bedford now supports Unity Schools Partnership and its Research School, working across the UK and abroad. Alex is the creator and author of the highly acclaimed Pupil Book Study series (originally published in 2021) and has worked as an associate consultant for the Institute of Education, UCL. His curriculum writing and resources have been highly praised by Professor Rob Coe and by Clare Sealy (head of education improvement, Guernsey).

You may be surprised to learn that Alex did not engage well at school and spent most of his secondary schooling in the 'remedial stream'. His parents were even told not to 'waste' tutoring money on him. Alex's career took an interesting journey through the Youth Training Scheme in an entomology lab and several years of employment in food technology labs, where he worked on the viscosity of jam in Jammie Dodgers and recipes for Marks & Spencer. Further education led Alex to eventually train as a primary school teacher. He has never looked back. His rule for school is simple: teach with excellence and never write anyone off. According to all the SEND experts Alex has worked with, he channels his ADHD superpower to his advantage, so he can be the most positive and productive person he can.

Husband to Becky (a phenomenal Reception teacher) and proud father of Jack and Finn, Alex is called to adventure and is regularly drawn to the sea and mountains.

Lauren Meadows has dedicated her life to improving educational outcomes for children across the sector. Driven by her servitude to children and the belief that it is possible for every child to receive an excellent education, she has worked with Primary, Secondary, Special and Alternative Provision settings across the country. Rooted in research and development, her ambition is to synthesise all that we know about what works in education and distil this into tangible classroom practice.

Lauren has worked with a wide range of national organisations, advising on curriculum and assessment design and strategic school improvement, including partnering with Alex Bedford to co-author the internationally acclaimed Curriculum with Unity Schools Partnership (CUSP). Her career has been inspired by many great thinkers and mentors, whose unerring patience she will be eternally grateful for (yes, Darren and Dave, I mean you).

Lauren can usually be found in the woods or on the beach and is a very proud mum to Molly and Flo, both wise and kind far beyond their years.