Books for Teachers

Welcome to our growing collection of books for teachers, school leaders and the wider education workforce. These focused reading lists cover classroom practice, behaviour, attendance, SEND, safeguarding, teaching and learning, curriculum development, teacher CPD, coaching, wellbeing, school leadership and school improvement. Each list is built around a practical professional question, role or challenge, so you can find useful books for individual reading, staff development, INSET, ECT support, coaching, NPQ study, governor development or whole-school planning.

Find books for teachers by professional focus

The best professional reading is connected to a real need. Browse the latest book lists below, or look for a topic that matches your current priorities as a teacher, mentor, subject leader, SENCO, DSL, pastoral lead, headteacher, governor, trustee or MAT professional.

Behaviour, attendance and classroom culture

Find books on behaviour management, classroom routines and expectations, low-level disruption, positive recognition, de-escalation, restorative practice, relational approaches, trauma-informed teaching, attendance, emotionally based school avoidance, exclusions, reintegration and mobile-phone-free schools. These lists are useful for classroom teachers, ECTs, teaching assistants, pastoral teams, behaviour leads and senior leaders.

SEND, inclusion and pupil support

Explore books on adaptive teaching, SEND in mainstream schools, the graduated approach, reasonable adjustments, autism, ADHD and executive function, dyslexia-friendly teaching, speech and language needs, SEMH, sensory needs, EAL, disadvantage, pupil premium and inclusive school leadership. The collection includes practical reading for teachers, SENCOs, teaching assistants, inclusion leaders and school governors.

Safeguarding, pastoral care and RSHE

Find professional books for designated safeguarding leads and school staff on safeguarding culture, child-on-child abuse, harmful sexual behaviour, sexual harassment, misogyny, consent, healthy relationships, online safety, filtering and monitoring, exploitation, self-harm, suicide prevention, mental health and sensitive or controversial topics. Use current statutory guidance alongside any book when developing school policy or practice.

Teaching, curriculum and assessment

Browse teaching books on curriculum design and sequencing, whole-school curriculum change, subject leadership, literacy, disciplinary literacy, oracy, dialogic teaching, reading fluency, reading for pleasure, writing, vocabulary, formative assessment, feedback, cognitive science, metacognition, retrieval practice, questioning and pupil motivation. These lists are designed for classroom teachers, subject leaders, curriculum teams and instructional coaches.

CPD, coaching and career development

Find books for trainee teachers, ECTs, mentors, induction tutors, instructional coaches and teachers planning their next step. Topics include evidence-informed teaching, reflective practice, practitioner inquiry, coaching conversations, effective teacher CPD, mentoring, career growth without moving into management, aspiring middle leadership, headship and leadership coaching.

School leadership, governance and MAT strategy

Explore books for middle leaders, senior leaders, headteachers, governors, trustees, school business professionals and multi-academy trusts. The lists cover school improvement, implementation, school culture, difficult conversations, conflict resolution, managing underperformance, parent complaints, self-evaluation, inspection preparation, governance, trust leadership, recruitment, retention, workload, wellbeing, finance and strategic planning.

AI, digital safeguarding and future-ready schools

Find books on AI in education, responsible generative AI use, AI literacy, media literacy, misinformation, cyber security, data protection, digital technology, online harms and school AI strategy. These lists are intended to support thoughtful professional discussion, workload reduction, curriculum planning, governance and safe implementation.

Books for teachers to use for CPD and school development

These are professional books for adults working in education. Individual lists can be used for personal reading, department book groups, ECT induction, mentoring, instructional coaching, INSET follow-up, NPQ preparation, governor or trustee development and whole-school improvement planning. We aim to keep each list focused, practical and relevant to the role or problem it addresses, rather than presenting one undifferentiated list of education books.

Current education guidance and professional resources

Books can support professional learning, but they do not replace statutory guidance, school policies or specialist advice. For policy-sensitive topics, check the latest official information alongside the relevant book list.

• Ofsted state-funded school inspection toolkit – The current inspection toolkit and a useful reference for self-evaluation and continuous improvement.
• Every child achieving and thriving – The Department for Education’s schools and SEND reform programme for England.
• Keeping children safe in education – Current statutory safeguarding and safer-recruitment guidance for schools and colleges in England.
• Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report – The independent review of curriculum, assessment and qualifications in England.
• Generative artificial intelligence in education – Department for Education guidance on safe, responsible and effective use of generative AI.
• Education Endowment Foundation guidance reports – Evidence summaries and practical guidance across teaching, inclusion, behaviour, literacy, leadership and professional development.

Frequently asked questions about books for teachers

What are the best books for teachers?

There is no single best book for every teacher. The most useful choice depends on your role, phase, subject, experience and current priority. Our topic-specific lists explain what each book can contribute and help you compare practical, research-informed, relational and leadership-focused approaches.

Are these books suitable for school CPD and INSET?

Many of the lists are suitable for individual professional reading, department discussion, book groups, coaching, ECT development, NPQ study and structured CPD. School leaders should select books that match the school’s context and use current statutory guidance where relevant.

Do you include books for school leaders and support staff?

Yes. The hub is being developed for classroom teachers, ECTs, trainees, teaching assistants, mentors, SENCOs, DSLs, pastoral staff, subject and phase leaders, headteachers, governors, trustees, school business professionals and MAT teams.

How are these book lists kept current?

The collection will grow as new topic-specific lists are published. Policy-sensitive subjects, including safeguarding, SEND, attendance, mobile phones, AI, curriculum and inspection, should be checked against current official guidance whenever the relevant page is reviewed.