Myra Barrs

Myra Angela Barrs (6 December 1939 – 24 October 2023) was a British educationist, literacy researcher, and writer. She was known for her work on children's language and literacy, especially through the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (formerly the Centre for Language in Primary Education), where she helped develop the Primary Language Record. She also wrote on poetry, drama, storytelling, and the educational thought of Lev Vygotsky.

Early life and education Barrs was born in Coventry to Gladys Liggins, who had been a cinema pianist in the silent film era, and Thomas Barrs, an aircraft toolmaker.

In 2003, Barrs established a national award for poetry books written for children. The prize later became known as the CLiPPA.

In later years, Barrs was an Honorary Senior Research Associate at the UCL Institute of Education. The Primary Language Record: Handbook for Teachers (1994) The Reader in the Writer: The Links Between the Study of Literature and Writing Development at Key Stage 2 (with Valerie Cork, 2001) Making Poetry Happen: Transforming the Poetry Classroom (editor, 2015) Vygotsky the Teacher: A Companion to his Psychology for Teachers and Other Practitioners (2022) The Vygotsky Anthology: A Selection from His Key Writings (with John Richmond, 2024)