Jon Tait

Like Gomorrah with horses – that’s probably the best way to describe the stories of those inhabiting the heather-clad hills between England and Scotland who were strung up on gallows during the turbulent period of the border reivers and after, when King James I/VI attempted to ‘Pacify the Border’. The condemned here were cattle rustlers, counterfeiters, burglars, protection racketeers, thieves and murderers who rode in family-based gangs, terrorised the countryside on both sides of the dividing line, and were essentially the mafia of their time. They were executed in places such as Edinburgh, Dumfries, Jedburgh, Hawick, Peebles, Selkirk, Berwick, Morpeth, Alnwick, Newcastle, Hexham and Carlisle in a period marked by conflict between the two great nations where their land became a warzone. Anyone interested in the darker side of the history of the bloodstained border can trace the lineage of those families embroiled in criminal society from the Scottish Wars of Independence right through to the Acts of Union between the countries in 1707. The March Laws that the border reivers lived under were finally ended in 1603 when King James ascended to the English throne following the death of Queen Elizabeth I – and the ‘pacification’ of the criminal gangs began.

Help your child create the perfect study conditions at home to give them the support they need when studying. A Parent's Guide to Effective Study Habits is for parents and caregivers who want to know how to help their children realise their potential Written for parents and caregivers of children aged 10-18, this guide covers a range of proven strategies to help children focus and engage with different types of schoolwork. It contains practical tips on topics like organisation, study strategies, how to prepare for exams and achieving peak performance using a structured approach. This parent's guide offers: An easy-to-follow approach to help with studying, with jargon-free language. An opportunity to boost home learning for parents and caregivers who want to support their children at home. Content by expert author Jon Tait, a distinguished educator and school leader from the UK with 25 years experience in the education profession. The book is written using accessible, jargon-free language that is easy to follow and understand. Strategies are clearly laid out with clear, step-by-step instructions and notes on any equipment you'll need. The science behind the strategies is explained in easy-to-digest, bitesize chunks and there are useful tips on what to avoid and how to take things further for the best results. More in the series A Parent's Guide to Effective Study Habits is from the same trusted brand as A Parent's Guide to Phonics, helping parents and caregivers with home learning. The collection includes: A Parent's Guide to Phonics and DK Super Phonics workbooks, stories and card games.