Supporting Diversity in English Literature: Lit in Colour Targeted Support Programme

Lit in Colour and Eduqas are working in partnership to offer a targeted programme of support to improve GCSE English Literature learners’ access to texts by writers of colour. 

Eduqas GCSE English Literature centres who commit to teaching one or both of the following texts in 2025-26 (for assessment in 2027) can apply for support:

Boys Don’t Cry by Malorie Blackman
Leave Taking by Winsome Pinnock

This includes centres already delivering these texts who commit to continuing to do so in 2025-26.

Spaces on the programme are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis subject to completing an online application form before the deadline of Thursday 8th May 2025.

{"accordionId":"fe9e8e09","accordionHeading":"What’s on offer ","accordionItems":[{"accordionTitle":"Free set texts for your cohort ","accordionTitleSecondary":null,"accordionImage":"","accordionContent":"<div>\n<p paraid=\"753730031\" paraeid=\"{38ef88ed-df65-434d-bf5e-2623160e5163}{139}\">Lit in Colour will provide participating centres with free copies of the set texts for their GCSE English Literature cohort.  </p>\n</div>\n<div>\n<p paraid=\"1638361331\" paraeid=\"{38ef88ed-df65-434d-bf5e-2623160e5163}{157}\">You will be able to specify which text(s) and how many copies you need when applying for a place on the programme.</p>\n</div>"},{"accordionTitle":"Free Professional Learning (CPD) sessions ","accordionTitleSecondary":null,"accordionImage":"","accordionContent":"<div>\n<p paraid=\"1360704918\" paraeid=\"{38ef88ed-df65-434d-bf5e-2623160e5163}{191}\">Lit in Colour will be providing a series of five Professional Learning (CPD) sessions for English teachers from participating schools: </p>\n</div>\n<div>\n<ol>\n<li paraid=\"146083710\" paraeid=\"{38ef88ed-df65-434d-bf5e-2623160e5163}{213}\"><strong>Race and representation in Leave Taking</strong> - Winsome Pinnock (for teachers, 60 mins)</li>\n<li paraid=\"146083710\" paraeid=\"{38ef88ed-df65-434d-bf5e-2623160e5163}{213}\"><strong>Race and representation in Boys Don’t Cry</strong> - Malorie Blackman (for teachers, 60 mins)</li>\n<li paraid=\"146083710\" paraeid=\"{38ef88ed-df65-434d-bf5e-2623160e5163}{213}\"><strong>Lit in Colour book list & reading for pleasure session</strong> (for teachers & librarians 45 mins)</li>\n<li paraid=\"146083710\" paraeid=\"{38ef88ed-df65-434d-bf5e-2623160e5163}{213}\"><strong>The power of storytelling</strong> – fiction author in conversation session (for learners and teachers 60 mins)</li>\n<li paraid=\"146083710\" paraeid=\"{38ef88ed-df65-434d-bf5e-2623160e5163}{213}\"><strong>Building subject knowledge</strong> - author in conversation (for learners and teachers 60 mins) </li>\n</ol>\n</div>\n<div>\n<p paraid=\"1850260990\" paraeid=\"{50c00401-b1fc-42da-88a4-19bf20cb7a7a}{10}\">These sessions are designed to build teacher confidence and subject knowledge when teaching texts by writers of colour, and will each include a Q&A. <br> <br>Further details on these opportunities will be provided soon. </p>\n</div>"},{"accordionTitle":"Mini library donation for reading for pleasure ","accordionTitleSecondary":null,"accordionImage":"","accordionContent":"<div>\n<p paraid=\"47929486\" paraeid=\"{50c00401-b1fc-42da-88a4-19bf20cb7a7a}{46}\">Lit in Colour will provide participating centres with a mini library donation of books by writers of colour, suitable for KS3-5. This aims to: </p>\n</div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li paraid=\"53267071\" paraeid=\"{50c00401-b1fc-42da-88a4-19bf20cb7a7a}{60}\">Build learners’ familiarity with themes explored in our set texts.</li>\n<li paraid=\"53267071\" paraeid=\"{50c00401-b1fc-42da-88a4-19bf20cb7a7a}{60}\">Provide access to books by writer of colour for reading for pleasure.</li>\n<li paraid=\"53267071\" paraeid=\"{50c00401-b1fc-42da-88a4-19bf20cb7a7a}{60}\">Improve teachers’ subject knowledge and awareness of texts by writers of colour. </li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</div>"}]}

How to apply

Eduqas GCSE English Literature centres can apply to take part in the programme by completing an application form. Entries close on Thursday 8th May 2025.

> Apply now

Learn more at our free online information session

Learn more about the support on offer and the application process at our free online information session on Tuesday 6th May at 4pm.

You’ll also have the opportunity to ask the Lit in Colour and Eduqas teams your questions.

Where possible we recommend teachers invite Heads of Department and/or Senior Leaders to attend the session to help ensure you have the support of your department and school when committing to teach the set texts in 2025-26.

> Book your place

If you have any further queries, please contact our GCSE English Literature Team: gcseenglish@eduqas.co.uk  or 029 2240 4290. 