Written by two people who walk the walk every day, this book pulls together real expertise from across the system to help us truly understand poverty and its effects, but most importantly offer us a host of practical ways schools can make things better. This is a book every teacher and leader should read.

Jonny Uttley, CEO, The Education Alliance Multi-Academy Trust, Visiting Fellow at The Centre for Young Lives, Co-author of Putting Staff First: A Blueprint to Revitalise Our Schools

The authors' relentless determination to drive opportunities for all children shine through in this book, which is both inspiring and of huge practical value. This is an essential read.

Baroness Longfield, Executive Chair and Founder, Centre for Young Lives

It strikes a rare balancing act between being academic, accessible and actionable at the same time. The work the authors do, and the exemplars from schools and trusts, are really strong and shine through, so that this book proves useful to busy school leaders working hard to make a difference.

Alex Quigley, education consultant and author

Every page reaffirms my belief that we must close any gaps early, because those gaps widen quickly and affect children's life chances in profound ways.

@Hellins_headteacher