This book brings together research, case studies, and practical strategies to help schools confront some of the most entrenched barriers to learning. From the neurological effects of poverty to the challenges faced by displaced pupils, it blends evidence with actionable tools for leaders.

Aimed at headteachers, trust executives, curriculum leads, and teacher educators, the book balances research with practice. Chapters combine clear summaries of key studies (Hanson, Blair & Raver, Counsell, OECD) with case studies of schools like Bede Academy, Brambles Primary, and Beith Primary, plus “ideas to try” for staff and leaders.

Key themes include:

  • Supporting displaced pupils through EAL, mentoring, and community links.
  • Mitigating poverty’s impact on memory and processing via retrieval practice, reduced distractions, and scaffolded learning.
  • Designing equitable, knowledge-rich curricula with local context in mind.
  • Building cultures of social justice through pupil voice, partnerships, and staff recruitment practices.

What makes this stand out is its accessibility and immediacy. Every chapter moves quickly from research to real-world examples, making it ideal for SLT discussions or trust-wide CPD. While some suggestions assume access to specialist staff or partnerships, its tools and reflections are widely adaptable.

Verdict: A practical, evidence-led resource for school leaders serious about tackling disadvantage. Essential reading for those seeking not just to understand the problem, but to act on it.

About the book

  • Authors: Sean Harris and Katrina Morley. The publisher's description says they work in a deprived area in the north east of England. Foreword by Dame Alison Peacock, chief executive of the Chartered College of Teaching.
  • Full title: Tackling Poverty and Disadvantage in Schools: Understand more deeply and better address inequalities in your school.
  • Structure: three sections, on the whole school, the classroom and the community, with case studies, reflective tasks and next steps. Bloomsbury publishes free online resources to go with the book, including recap and reflective tasks for each chapter.
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Education. Paperback published 13 March 2025, ISBN 9781801994750.

Source: Bloomsbury online resources; publication details from the retailer listing on Madeleine Lindley (Bloomsbury's own book page could not be loaded), checked 13 October 2026.