A "Lit" Experience: Penguin Books Visits The Swan School

The Swan School recently welcomed Penguin Books to campus for a series of exclusive interviews with our students. This visit was part of a major milestone: the five-year progress report for Lit in Colour, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at diversifying the English Literature curriculum in UK schools.

Spotlight on My Name is Leon

Our students took center stage to share their personal reflections on Kit de Waal’s moving novel, My Name is Leon. The book, which follows a young boy’s journey through the foster care system in the 1980s, has become a cornerstone of our efforts to ensure every student sees themselves reflected in the pages they read.

During the interviews, Penguin’s team explored how the novel resonated with our pupils and the impact that studying diverse authors has on their engagement with reading.

Why Lit in Colour Matters

Launched in 2020 by Penguin and the Runnymede Trust, Lit in Colour addresses a vital gap in education. At The Swan School, we believe that a truly inclusive library and curriculum:

• Foster Empathy: Helping students understand perspectives different from their own.

• Validate Identity: Giving students from all backgrounds the chance to see their lived experiences represented.

• Boost Engagement: Inspiring a lifelong love of reading through contemporary, relatable storytelling.

“There was a real sense of positivity this year when students went into the exam; they genuinely enjoyed it... There was real enthusiasm and buy-in for the text and the students were excited to write about it.” - Head of English, Harriet Hinze

We are incredibly proud to contribute to this national report and look forward to seeing our students' insights featured in the upcoming five-year review.