How to Prepare Learners for Life Now… and Beyond the School Gates
Pre-order now from: Amazon | Routledge | Available 23 November 2026
This is the third book in the Equity in Education series…
Book 1: Why School Doesn’t Work for Every Child
Book 2: Making the Classroom Work for Every Child
Description
Every child deserves the chance to succeed, not just in school but in life. Yet, for some learners, the journey through education is hampered by barriers that widen the gap between potential and achievement. This third book in the Equity in Education series shows teachers and school leaders how they can prepare learners for life beyond the classroom and ensure they have the knowledge, skills, and character to thrive personally, socially, and professionally.
The book explores how teachers and leaders can support learners in becoming independent thinkers who are emotionally intelligent, self-regulated, motivated, resilient, and confident in navigating their futures. Providing a practical roadmap for schools to nurture their learners‘ character and competencies, the chapters cover:
• Raising aspirations and intrinsic motivation
• Teaching independence, metacognition, and self-regulation
• Building confidence, resilience, and self-efficacy
• Developing confident communication
• Building cultural capital
• Preparing for post-16 pathways, work experience and networking
Offering actionable guidance and strategies, this is essential reading for all teachers and school leaders who want to give every child an equitable chance of success at school and in later life.
Table of contents
Part 1: The Purpose of Preparation
Introduction 1. Beyond the School Gates
Part 2: Building the Future-Ready Learner
2. Raising Aspirations and Expanding Horizons
3. Teaching Learners to Be Increasingly Independent
4. Metacognition, Self-Regulation, and Emotional Inteligence
5. Motivation, Resilience, and Self-Efficacy
6. Confident Communication and Code-switching
Part 3: Opening Doors to the World
7. Navigating future pathways
8. Work experience and networking
9. Cultural Capital and Frames of Reference
Part 4: Equipping Learners for Lifelong Success
10. Assessment, Revision and Exams
11. Creating a School that Changes Lives
12. Intentional Leadership and Culture-Creation
Part 5: The Future is Made in the Classroom
13. Fostering Autonomy in the Classroom
14. Teaching Study Skills, Research Skills, and Independent Skills
15. Putting It All into Practice- An Action Plan
Appendices
Review of Book 2
In the second book in the Equity in Education series, Matt Bromley extends and deepens his discussion of inclusion in education across all aspects of this vital concept.
Accessible, practical and rooted in schools and classrooms, Making the Classroom Work for Every Child is an excellent “how to” guide for every teacher looking to make their classroom more inclusive.
Chris Hildrew, Headteacher at Churchill Academy & Sixth Form
Reviews of Book 1
Why School Doesn’t Work for Every Child is the clarion call that our education system needs if we are to finally overcome the consequences of disadvantage and inequality that too many children and young people face.
As we have come to expect, Matt Bromley offers insightful and practical advice for schools and educators striving to make a difference for their students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
His ability to distill complex educational concepts into actionable strategies makes his writing a valuable resource for teachers and school leaders at all levels. This is why he is one of SecEd’s most prolific and popular authors.
His ideas are grounded in real-world classroom experience, making them both relevant to the challenges schools are facing today and easily adaptable and actionable for your school’s context.
Matt Bromley has become one of the most relevant, useful and inspiring voices in education – and this book is no exception.
Pete Henshaw, Editor SecEd and Headteacher Update Magazines
I love this book!!!
This book focuses on the hugely complex issues of equity and inclusion, with a real razor sharp focus on the causes and consequences of what it is to be a disadvantaged student.
Where Matt gets it right is to focus on practical and simple solutions and he keeps the focus tight, honing in on the importance of attendance, positive behaviour and generating a community.
If you want a book that is brimming with practical advice, hints, tips and guidance from someone who actually does the job then this is the book for you. The secret is the author keeps it real!
What a gem of a read. Bravo!
Sam Strickland, Principal and CEO
Matt’s book series is a timely collection for UK based educators looking to level the playing field for disadvantaged students and ‘build more equity in education’.
Matt’s ABC framework provides a meaningful reference point to help cut through the complexities required to create an inclusive school culture. In addition, his framework will help schools to unpick institutional factors that prevent students from attending school.
No matter your stance in education, this book series is essential reading.
Bukky Yusuf, Leadership Development Coach
Rooted in the realities of children’s lives, this book from master story-teller Matt Bromley will prove invaluable in helping school leaders ask themselves hard but essential questions about equity and inclusion.
Jean Gross CBE, former government Communication Champion for children
In this essential first volume of the Equity in Education series, Matt Bromley confronts one of today’s most pressing challenges: building a culture of true inclusion and belonging in schools.
With a fresh look at educational disadvantage and the widening societal divide, Bromley offers practical, research-backed strategies to create environments where every student can thrive.
Anchored in real-world school experience, the book’s straightforward ABC framework—Attendance, Behaviours, and Community—equips educators with actionable tools to address inequity head-on.
This is more than a call for change; it’s a guide for educators ready to make a meaningful impact and challenges the misconception that we can do this alone with high expectations and zero tolerance approaches in schools.
Sean Harris, Director of PLACE, Tees Valley Education
Why School Doesn’t Work for Every Child neatly brings together the evidence and offers practical steps for those working on school priority areas such as attendance. This book reminds us to put learner and family experiences of school life at the forefront of our work, and to continuously reflect on our work on inclusion to ensure school works for every child.’
Kate Anstey, Director of Education, the Child Poverty Action Group
About the author
Matt Bromley is an education journalist, author, and advisor with over twenty five years’ experience in teaching and leadership including as a secondary school headteacher and academy principal, further education college vice principal, and multi-academy trust director. He is a public speaker, trainer, initial teacher training lecturer, and school improvement advisor. He remains a practising teacher. He writes for various education magazines including SecEd and Headteacher Update, and he is a columnist on The Yorkshire Post. He is the author of numerous best-selling books on education, and he co-hosts an award-winning podcast.