For curriculum thinkers Dr Richard Bustin, Crown House, October 2024 New government, new thinking. That much is clear from the publishers鈥� rosters this Christmas. One term we鈥檙e likely to hear more about as the sector trains its focus on inclusion is 鈥榗apabilities curriculum鈥�. Indeed, more on that early in the new year in these very pages. But Richard Bustin got the jump on us with this book, and we鈥檙e big enough to say so and recommend it as a primer. For belonging fosterers Estelle Tarry, Routledge, December 2024 With government hopes pinned on greater mainstream inclusion, we expect 鈥榖elonging鈥� to get a thorough airing in 2025. Enter Estelle Tarry, with an edited collection addressing the inter-related factors that impact children鈥檚 sense of belonging in school. Adopting a theoretical and practical approach through case studies of good practice, it promises to create 鈥減ositive and inclusive outcomes, supporting individual growth and community wellbeing鈥�. For nurturers Sonia Mainstone-Cotton, Routledge, December 2024 Holistic development. Self-esteem. SEMH. Anxiety. Common parlance, but do we take the time to truly understand what they mean? Wellbeing Explained promises to do just that with practical examples and case studies to support wellbeing-promoting policy and practice. It could be just what the teacher ordered amid the ongoing youth mental health crisis. And refreshingly, it even centres staff wellbeing as key to success. For responsive teachers Caroline Bentley-Davies, SAGE, December 2024 It鈥檚 not all about new terminology, though. Old terms are seeing a rebirth too, among them 鈥榚ngagement鈥� and 鈥榙ifferentiation鈥�. (Edu-Twitter will be spinning in its X-marked grave.) And it turns out they were evidence-based to begin with! So why not indulge your teacher friends with this research-informed mini-tome of hints, tips and ideas for inclusive classroom practice. For good listeners Paul Gurton and聽Meghan Tipping, Routledge, December 2024 If publishers鈥� slates are anything to go by, this New Year鈥檚 teachers are going to be partying like it鈥檚 2009. We all expected the relatively new concept of oracy to be a word of 2025, but were we ready for it to bring along with it enquiry curriculums, philosophy for children and generic skills? If you want to get ahead of the curve (or not get hit in the back as it comes back round), then this looks like the thoughtful, edifying and, of course, research-informed tome for you. For classroom padawans Kate Jones, John Catt, December 2024 鈥淪trategies, techniques and ideas come and go in education, but feedback will always be an important aspect of effective teaching, learning and assessment.鈥� So reads this book鈥檚 blurb, perfectly encapsulating the publishing zeitgeist. Still, Jones isn鈥檛 a bestseller for nothing and if anyone can capture what effective feedback looks like in practice, this editor trusts her to be that person. For JEDI (school)masters Bennie Kara, SAGE, December 2024 Another educational concept that鈥檚 been a constant irrespective of who鈥檚 in power is diversity, and rightly so. Sometimes Schools Week contributor Bennie Kara has been at the forefront of that work. Here, she draws on her 20 years鈥� experience in UK schools and asks us to reflect on what we choose to teach and why. A side of inclusion we must not lose sight of. For governors Rebecca Leek, SAGE, November 2024 Yes, this book is a month old. But books on governance are few and far between, and governors do their school work on top of their day jobs, so they don鈥檛 have much time to read. Besides, it would be wrong not to have this volunteer army in our thoughts at Christmas. Authored by another sometimes Schools Week contributor, this is a practical and insightful guide to the fundamentals of the role. Leek is typically forthright in these pages. Expect the same here.