When it comes to the education of children living in poverty there has been a great deal of talk about grit, resilience and the drive for social mobility. Yet such terms not only reflect merely a fraction of the wider story, they are also part of a narrative which puts all of the onus on young people to 'pull themselves up' or else accept their fate among the ranks of the 'feckless poor'. In this unique collaboration, drawing together educators from across the UK and further afield, we challenge this destructive narrative and call on all those working with young people in schools--from policy makers to teachers and school leaders --to adopt a more enlightened, empathetic and practical approach to support all children in challenging circumstances. Contributors include: Jaz Ampaw-Farr, Sir Al Aynsley-Green, Phil Beadle, Paul Dix, Dr Neil Hawkes, Dr Debra Kidd, Jarlath O'Brien, Hywel Roberts, Will Ryan and Professor Mick Waters.