CGP (publisher)
Company type | Independent Company |
---|---|
Industry | Publishing |
Founded | 1995 |
Headquarters | Broughton-in-Furness, Cumbria, United Kingdom |
Products | Textbooks and Revision Guides |
Website | cgpbooks.co.uk |
Coordination Group Publications (CGP) is an educational publisher and textbook publishing company from the United Kingdom, founded and owned by Richard Parsons. Having published over 1,000 books, their series of best-selling GCSE study guides are known for their light and humorous writing style.[1][2]
History
CGP was founded by Richard Parsons in 1995, following his resignation from his teaching position at Furness College. This was due to his dissatisfaction with the poor quality of study guides at the time. He then published his first manuscript, a Mathematics guide, which was a hit after being shared with individual schools. By the end of 2009, his 600 titles had sold over nine million books grossing over £48 million. Although he wrote the original books himself and they all bear his name, later books were written by other teachers.[2]
With 11 million products sold in 2019 alone, CGP has become one of UK's leading educational publishers.[1]
Products
CGP Revision Guides is the main product line published by CGP, covering a range of school subjects at KS1, KS2, KS3, 11+, 13+, GCSE, A-level and SATs.[3] CGP's books often incorporate a witty and humorous tone, occasionally informal and colloquial, making them clear and easy to understand.[2][4] They also make reference to examination questions from the UK National Curriculum.[5]
For digital resources, online editions of their books can be read on their website, accessed using product codes.[6] Many of them are also available as e-books on Kindle.[7]
Their books have limited availability in Welsh.[8]
The subjects offered are:[9]
- Maths
- English
- Science
- Languages
- Geography
- History
- Technology & Food
- Music
- Business & Economics
- Psychology
- PE & Sport
- Sociology
- Computer Science & ICT
- Religious Studies
- Drama
- 'How to Revise'[10]
Controversy
The informal and humorous style in which many of CGP's books are written has caused controversy, especially considering that they are aimed at teenagers. There were complaints about their sex education guide, with claims it was "explicit" and how it "trivialised sex".[11]
References
- ^ a b "About CGP". CGP Books. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c Patrick Sawer and Rebecca Lefort (13 December 2009). "Surprise as little known author ranked among most successful writers of past decade". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 13 December 2009.
- ^ "The UK Education System". CGP Books. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Best GCSE Books 2018 | Top 10 UK GCSE Revision Guides". Test Prep Select. Retrieved 2020-07-17.
- ^ UK, Government. "UK National Curriculum". GOV.UK.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Online Editions & Digital Products". CGP Books. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "CGP on Kindle". CGP Books. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Infrequently Asked Questions". CGP Books. Archived from the original on 2012-12-04. Retrieved 2012-11-14.
- ^ "All Products". CGP Books. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ CGP Website. "How to revise". CGP.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Henry, Julie (13 February 2006). "Sex guide is 'too explicit' for schools". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
External links