Summer suggestions
to accompany the downtime.
Thoughts and musings
Happy holidays to the majority of readers! A lengthy break hopefully awaits you (or you may currently be delighting in being in the midst of said downtime). Quite likely, as someone who takes an interest in reading blogs of an educational nature, you may be keen for a little signposting of further recommendations to accompany your well-deserved free time.
At the end of every term, I pull together a collection of books, podcasts, videos and/or wider resources which I hope may be of interest. You can find these by scrolling through my back catalogue of posts, classified by winter, spring or summer break points within these year. Suggestions can often by found on my own “to-explore” list or have been enjoyed by myself at one point in time. As always, sharing is caring, so please do use the comments to add any of your own recommendations which you feel others may enjoy!
Ideas and practical suggestions
So, what could provide some inspiration and reflection during this summer break? Below are a few suggestions, viewed through a reading and general professional learning lens, which I hope may be useful. Have a wonderful summer break everyone!
1. To keep the power of reading at the forefront
Take a look at the wealth of resources available on the Go All In website, the official home of the National Year of Reading 2026. Wherever you are reading today’s ‘glimmer’ from, the key messages and concepts are the same. Reading has higher rates of engagement when the reader takes an interest in the chosen text (in its many forms), alongside the feeling of volition experienced in doing so:
Take a look at the back catalogue of training videos and insightful conversations on the National Literacy Trust YouTube:
Think about the books you have on offer in your classrooms and libraries and consider if you need a refresh. Take the opportunity of having a little extra time to read children’s and young adult’s literature yourself! You won’t regret it.
For primary, Jon Biddle is exceptionally generous with the resources and book suggestions he shares on his Padlet:
For secondary, Anna Szpakowska has a wealth of ideas and suggestions within her newsletter and on her Instagram where she can be found on the handle ‘getthemreading’:
For further helpful book lists, I have no hesitation in signposting:
2. To continue to keep the glimmers in your educational journey alive
Keep nurturing your wellbeing. Join Those Who Can’s ‘Summer Reset’ - ‘five gentle weekly activities designed to help you reflect, recharge and remember just how much you've achieved this year.’ And, by signing up, you are automatically entered into a draw to win a paddleboard!
If you would like to take some time thinking about how you craft learning experiences in the classroom, I would highly recommend delving into the world of #Botheredness. Hywel Roberts’ engaging (and highly entertaining) handbook for considering how we get our young people to be bothered about learning, within the curriculum and beyond!
You’re already reading today’s ‘glimmer’ on Substack. This may be through an email subscription or on the platform itself. If you haven’t had the chance to take a look at the wide range of writers who are sharing their experiences, thoughts and ideas on Substack, now may well be the moment! I would always recommend taking a look at the ‘Subscriptions’ and ‘Recommendations’ on the Substack pages you currently follow. Perhaps during this summer break you feel the time is right to have a go at writing yourself? If so, do take a look at my top tips for getting started:
I am a huge fan of an education podcast, and always on the look out for more to add to my list. Do share any that I have missed in the comments. My top listens include:
‘Mind the Gap’ - Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner
‘The Science of Learning’ - InnerDrive
‘Catching up with Sarah and Ginny’
