Reaching the Unseen Children

I cannot think of a more important topic than enabling children who may be unseen, to be seen. This is the job of teachers and leaders but sometimes we don’t always know how to make this possible and do it with impact. This book is practical, evidenced informed and balanced as well as being so clearly explained. If you don’t read this and feel equipped and energised to make a difference I would be surprised.

- Rachel Johnson, CEO PiXL

Jean Gross’ book is a super super resource to help the system wide efforts to assuage disadvantage. It’s just great! Practical and evidence informed. Excellent case studies of schools addressing this on the ground.

- Marc Rowland, Pupil Premium expert and author

An extraordinary book. It is both a call to arms and a helping hand to everyone in education who wants to address the disadvantage gap and make ‘Unseen Children’ seen, heard and supported to thrive.

- Alex Quigley, Head of Content and Engagement at the Education Endowment Foundation

This is an exceptional book and an essential read for school leaders, teachers, and educators who are short of time but face a long list of challenges. With bold thinking and hard-hitting questions—such as why so many white working-class boys are being let down—this book doesn’t just spark debate; it offers solutions. It is a practical book, underpinned with a comprehensive discussions of research evidence from early years onwards. Most importantly, it is a joy to read: thought-provoking, engaging and fizzing throughout with the energy and voices of children and young people.

- Julian Grenier, Senior Content and Engagement Manager at the Education Endowment Foundation

In this essential second edition, Jean Gross - defender of the disadvantaged - offers a raft of practical strategies for schools to ensure that every child - irrespective of their starting points, backgrounds, and additional or different needs - can participate fully in school life and achieve well for the future.

In new and updated chapters, Gross explores: the importance of self-efficacy, sharing seven secrets for helping children to develop the locus of control; and parental engagement, advocating that school leaders walk a mile in parents' shoes and ask not what parents can do for school but what schools can do for parents.

Gross writes in a fluent, accessible style, and intersperses data and research with frontline examples from schools she knows well. She is highly knowledgeable in her subject but, more than this, she exudes authenticity and an impressive passion for equity and fairness.

Highly recommended.

- Matt Bromley, education author, journalist, and advisor.

I read this book from cover to cover in one go and highly recommend it for educators…. replete with evidence-informed take-aways and top tips throughout!

- Steve Murray, Trust in Learning Academies and Chartered College of Teaching

Third time round and still learning from this book

- Jo Pearce, Senior Adviser, Government of Jersey

We have loved reading this… has framed discussions and action several potentially ‘unseen children’.

-Marie Beale, Deputy Head and Inclusion Manager, Whitefield Primary School

This book offers a combination of research, practical tips for teachers and schools across phases, and clear reminders that there is much more to learning than simply sharing information.

- Zoe Enser, Schools Week

A book of ‘key take-aways’ which feature regularly and offer excellent summaries for busy readers. The messages are optimistic, the solutions practical - as long as we understand deeply and challenge not a few orthodoxies.

- Roy Blatchford, Chair, Essex Education Task Force, the Gloucestershire Education Forum

An excellent addition to the SEND/Equality bookshelf in any school.

- Stephanie Barclay, The School Librarian