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Meddwl Mawr
Meddwl Mawr

Engaging with research can play an important role in helping you develop your own ideas and practice as an education professional. That’s why we’ve started Meddwl Mawr, a book and journal club designed to support you on your professional learning journey.

We’ll be publishing regular recommendations on this page covering a range of interesting topics, pointing you to some of the great content available on your free online library.

Make sure you sign up to our mailing list to hear about recommendations as soon as they’re published.

We’re keen to hear about any books or journal articles you’ve found interesting, enjoyable or useful on EBSCO. If you have a recommendation that you would like to share, then please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Your recommendations

September 2025

A Manifesto for Excellence in Schools by Rob Carpenter

Book cover, Manifesto for Excellence in Schools

Rob Carpenter’s A Manifesto for Excellence in Schools is a passionate and inspiring guide for educators and leaders. Drawing on his extensive experience as an Executive Headteacher, educational speaker and CEO of the Inspire Partnership, Carpenter shares his journey in transforming underperforming schools into thriving learning communities. He offers a practical, values-driven roadmap for creating inclusive, high-performing environments where every learner is nurtured and encouraged to succeed.

Combining principle and practice, the manifesto highlights real-life examples, and thoughtful reflection, and outlines how teachers and leaders can create meaningful learning journeys that connect with learners' lives. Firmly believing that the quality of teaching and leadership is the key factor in raising standards, the author shares a wealth of actionable strategies to help educators and leaders design learning experiences that promote collaboration, and cultivate critical thinking to foster long term meaningful engagement. Rather than focusing solely on attainment, Carpenter advocates for a more holistic approach in education, putting collaboration and creativity at the heart of school improvement.

A Manifesto for Excellence in Schools is a compelling read, which ignites thought provoking discussions with its insight and evidence-informed practice theories. Suggesting new ways to ensure that all learners succeed, the manifesto advocates that learning journeys are connected to moral purpose and positive learning habits which are integral to learners and young people in understanding the world around them.

Previous editions

What did you think of this month’s recommendations? How did they help develop your practice? Tweet your response using #MeddwlMawr

Why not try using the tools in the PLP to reflect on the ideas from this month’s recommendations and how you can apply them to your own practice?

Have you been inspired by our recommendations, and want to share what you’ve learnt with your colleagues?  Read our guide to setting up a journal club.