News

News stories

Children at Netherthorpe Primary School exploring the Quilt of Welcome

396 Patches, 150 Languages, 100 volunteers: Sheffield unites to create ‘Quilt of Welcome’ celebrating city’s multilingual children

Hundreds of multilingual children from across Sheffield have helped create a huge ‘Quilt of Welcome’, celebrating the many languages spoken in the city while sending a welcoming message to others.
Sabine engages with a pupil in the classroom

Embedding multilingualism in the classroom this World Book Day

A new resource from World Book Day developed by Professor Sabine Little, Professor of Literacy and Multilingualism, is designed to help teachers and practitioners create inclusive, linguistically diverse learning environments.
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks at Prime Minister's Questions
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks at Prime Minister's Questions. Wikimedia Commons

Social Research MA alumna discusses how political rhetoric shapes the material reality of vulnerable populations in featured blog

Alice Griggs, an alumna of our Social Research MA, has written a compelling and data-driven analysis of how political rhetoric shapes the material reality of vulnerable populations.
edu - photo of louise kay

Is 'School Readiness' actually about children, or is it about the economy?

In a new paper, published in the British Educational Research Journal (BERJ), Dr Louise Kay takes a deep dive into how Early Childhood Education policy in England has evolved over the last 40 years. 
Children using work books in a classroom

New national study reveals ‘mixed legacy’ of pandemic on early childhood development

New research led by Professor Claudine Bowyer-Crane has uncovered a complex picture of how COVID-19 reshaped the lives of young learners in England.

A bronze colour statue representing justice

New research finds interventions from child welfare services are linked to higher rates of criminalisation.

Findings, published in the journal Child Abuse & Neglect, showed that children who receive interventions from child welfare services are more likely to have experienced complex health issues, adversity or maltreatment.
Colourful graphic featuring jigsaw with children doing different activities

Happy International Day of Education!

This awareness day recognises education as a human right and a foundation for peace and sustainable development. Here we highlight Professor Sabine Little's work on Multilingualism, which aims to prepare children to thrive in a global society.
Left to right it's of Gaby Morgan (editor, Macmillan Children's Books), Yinka Olusoga and Kemi Olusoga

Black History for Every Day of the Year wins book awards

We’re delighted to share the news that Black History for Every Day of the Year, by Dr Yinka Olusoga, has won two awards at the School Library Association’s Information Book Awards 2025.
Two young children are interacting with a static ball, which is creating red beams of light.
Credit: STEP Fusion

Future engineers of world-first fusion plant to be found through UK schools programme

The Maker{futures} team have launched an exciting new schools programme to inspire the next generation of fusion energy scientists, engineers, technicians and project managers.

| Credit: STEP Fusion