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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2024 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right"><B>Registration <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;333-</FONT> </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:4pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>UNITED STATES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>FORM <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>UNDER </I></B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 </I></B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:24pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>PEARSON PLC </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Exact name
of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>N/A </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Registrant&#146;s Name for Use in English) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>England and Wales</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>None</B></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>(State or Other Jurisdiction of<BR>Incorporation or Organization)</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(IRS Employer</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Identification No.)</B></P></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>80 Strand </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>London,
England WC2R 0RL </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Address of Principal Executive Offices) </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>The Pearson plc Employee Stock Purchase Plan </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>The Pearson Long Term Incentive Plan (2020) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Pearson Education, Inc. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>221 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(201) 236 7000 </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Name,
Address and Telephone Number of Agent for Service) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>Copy to:
</I></B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Howard Kenny </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Morgan, Lewis&nbsp;&amp; Bockius LLP </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>101 Park Avenue </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>New
York, New York 10178 </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(212) <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">309-6000</FONT> </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Fax: (212) <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">309-6001</FONT> </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-accelerated</FONT>
filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of &#147;large accelerated filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer,&#148; &#147;smaller reporting company&#148; and &#147;emerging growth company&#148; in Rule <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">12b-2</FONT> of the Exchange Act. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom">Large&nbsp;accelerated&nbsp;filer</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&#9746;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Accelerated&nbsp;filer</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&#9744;</TD></TR>
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<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom">Non-accelerated filer</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&#9744;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Smaller&nbsp;reporting&nbsp;company</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&#9744;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Emerging&nbsp;growth&nbsp;company</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&#9744;</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period
for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section&nbsp;7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.&#8194;&#9744; </P> <P STYLE="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
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<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><U><A NAME="toc"></A>TABLE OF CONTENTS </U></B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx777402_1">PART I</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
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<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx777402_2">PART II</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx777402_3">Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
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<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx777402_4">Item 4. Description of Securities</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
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<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx777402_5">Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx777402_6">Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">1</TD>
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<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx777402_7">Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">2</TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx777402_8">Item 8. Exhibits</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">2</TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx777402_9">Item 9. Undertakings</A></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">2</TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A HREF="#tx777402_10">SIGNATURES</A></P></TD>
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<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">4</TD>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx777402_1"></A>PART I </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The information specified in Item 1 and Item 2 of Part I of the Registration Statement on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> (the
&#147;Registration Statement&#148;) is omitted from this filing in accordance with the provisions of Rule 428 under the Securities Act and the introductory note to Part I of the Registration Statement. The documents containing the information
specified in Part I will be delivered to the participants in the Plans covered by this Registration Statement as required by Rule 428(b)(1). </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="tx777402_2"></A>PART II </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><A NAME="tx777402_3"></A>Item&#8201;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Annual Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">20-F</FONT> of Pearson plc (&#147;Pearson&#148;) for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;
31, 2023 (<A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/938323/000119312524067358/d605808d20f.htm">File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;001-16055</FONT></A>) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (the &#147;SEC&#148;) on March 14, 2023 is incorporated in this registration statement by reference and made a part hereof. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">All documents
filed by Pearson pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, to the extent, if any, we designate therein, reports on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">6-K</FONT> we furnish to the SEC
after the date of this registration statement, but prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in the registration statement and to be part thereof from the date of filing of such documents. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Each document incorporated by
reference is current only as of the date of such document, and the incorporation by reference of such document shall not create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of Pearson since its date thereof or that the information
contained in it is current as of any time subsequent to its date. Any statement contained in such a document shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for the purpose of this registration statement to the extent that a subsequent statement
contained herein or in a subsequently filed document incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes that statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part
of this registration statement. In addition, any statement contained in any such document shall be deemed to be superseded for the purpose of this registration statement to the extent that a discussion contained herein covering the same subject
matter omits such statement. Any such statement omitted shall not be deemed to constitute a part of this registration statement. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><A NAME="tx777402_4"></A>Item&#8201;4. Description of Securities. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Not applicable. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><A NAME="tx777402_5"></A>Item&#8201;5.
Interests of Named Experts and Counsel. </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Not applicable. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><A NAME="tx777402_6"></A>Item&#8201;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Companies Act of 2006 (the &#147;Act&#148;) does not permit a company to indemnify a director or an officer of the company against any liability which by
virtue of any rule of law would otherwise attach to him in respect of negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the company. Subject to the provisions of the Act, but without prejudice to any indemnity to which the person
concerned may otherwise be entitled, Pearson&#146;s Articles of Association provide that every director or officer of the Company shall be indemnified out of the assets of the Company against any liability incurred by him for negligence, default,
breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the affairs of the Company, to the extent that such indemnification would not be treated as void under the Act. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">1 </P>

</DIV></Center>


<p style="margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0em; page-break-before:always"> </p>
<HR SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>


<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pearson has directors&#146; and officers&#146; liability insurance policies that insure directors and
officers against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of claims and judgments under certain circumstances. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><A NAME="tx777402_7"></A>Item&#8201;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Not applicable. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><A NAME="tx777402_8"></A>Item&#8201;8.
Exhibits. </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The following exhibits are filed as part of this Registration Statement: </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>

<TD></TD>

<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="94%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">4.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/938323/000119312515106592/d840201dex11.htm">Articles of Association of Pearson plc (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 1.1 to the registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">20-F</FONT> for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2023) </A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">4.2</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d777402dex42.htm">Specimen certificate for ordinary shares of Pearson plc, nominal value of 25 pence each (filed herewith) </A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">4.3</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/938323/000101915514000295/pearsondepnrec.htm">Form of Second Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement among Pearson plc, The Bank of New York and all Owners and holders from time to time of
American Depositary Receipts issued thereunder (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 1 to the Registration Statement on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">F-6</FONT> (No. <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">333-129599))</FONT> </A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">5.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d777402dex51.htm">Opinion of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP as to the validity of the Pearson plc Ordinary Shares (filed herewith) </A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">23.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d777402dex231.htm">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, London, England (filed herewith) </A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">23.2</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d777402dex232.htm">Consent of Ernst&nbsp;&amp; Young LLP (filed herewith) </A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">23.3</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d777402dex51.htm">Consent of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1) </A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">24.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="#sig">Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page hereto) </A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">99.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d777402dex991.htm">The Pearson plc Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended (filed herewith) </A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">99.2</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d777402dex992.htm">The Pearson plc Long Term Incentive Plan (2020), as amended (filed herewith) </A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">107</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d777402dexfilingfees.htm">Filing Fee </A></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><A NAME="tx777402_9"></A>Item&#8201;9. Undertakings. </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(a)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(1)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this
Registration Statement: </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(i)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(ii)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement
(or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement; and </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(iii)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement; </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">2 </P>

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<p style="margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0em; page-break-before:always"> </p>
<HR SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
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<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>provided, howeve</I>r, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required
to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Commission by such
registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(2)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(3)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which
remain unsold at the termination of the offering. </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><A NAME="toc777402_8"></A>(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act, and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful
defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">3 </P>

</DIV></Center>


<p style="margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0em; page-break-before:always"> </p>
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<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>


<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><U><A NAME="tx777402_10"></A>SIGNATURES </U></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements
for filing on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of London, England on March 15, 2024. </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="40%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">


<TR>

<TD WIDTH="7%"></TD>

<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3">PEARSON PLC <BR></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">By:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Sally Johnson</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Sally Johnson</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Chief Financial Officer</TD></TR>
</TABLE></DIV> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="sig"></A>POWER OF ATTORNEY </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Know all persons by these presents, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Omar Abbosh and Sally Johnson his or her
true and lawful <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">attorney-in-fact</FONT></FONT> and agent, with full power of substitution, and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to execute one or more amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statements on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection
therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and does hereby grant unto said <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">attorney-in-fact</FONT></FONT> and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">attorney-in-fact</FONT></FONT> and agent, or his substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This Power
of Attorney has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated as of the 15th day of March, 2024. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the requirements of
the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated below on March 15, 2024: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>

<TD WIDTH="51%"></TD>

<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="48%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">SIGNATURE</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">TITLE</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Omar Abbosh</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Omar Abbosh</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Chief Executive Officer<BR>(Principal Executive Officer)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Sally Johnson</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Sally Johnson</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Chief Financial Officer<BR>(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Omid Kordestani</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Omid Kordestani</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Chairman</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Sherry Coutu, CBE</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Sherry Coutu, CBE</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Director</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Alison Dolan</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Alison Dolan</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Director</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Alex Hardiman</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Alex Hardiman</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Director</TD></TR></TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">4 </P>

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<HR SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>


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<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


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<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="48%"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Esther Lee</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Esther Lee</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Director</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Graeme Pitkethly</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Graeme Pitkethly</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Director</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Tim Score</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Tim Score</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Director</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Annette Thomas</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Annette Thomas</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Director</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Lincoln Wallen</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Lincoln Wallen</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">Director</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">5 </P>

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<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>


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<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">U.S. AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">PEARSON EDUCATION, INC.</P></TD></TR>
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<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">By:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Katherine Varker Crimmins</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Katherine Varker Crimmins</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">6 </P>

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S-8
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2024
Registration
No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
PEARSON PLC
(Exact name
of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
N/A
(Registrant's Name for Use in English)
England and Wales
None
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
80 Strand
London,
England WC2R 0RL
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
The Pearson plc Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The Pearson Long Term Incentive Plan (2020)
Pearson Education, Inc.
221 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
(201) 236 7000
(Name,
Address and Telephone Number of Agent for Service)
Copy to:
Howard Kenny
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
101 Park Avenue
New
York, New York 10178
(212)
309-6000
Fax: (212)
309-6001
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated
filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule
12b-2
of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
☒
Accelerated filer
☐
Non-accelerated filer
☐
Smaller reporting company
☐
Emerging growth company
☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period
for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
PART I
1
PART II
1
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference
1
Item 4. Description of Securities
1
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
1
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
1
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed
2
Item 8. Exhibits
2
Item 9. Undertakings
2
SIGNATURES
4
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PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
The information specified in Item 1 and Item 2 of Part I of the Registration Statement on Form
S-8
(the
"Registration Statement") is omitted from this filing in accordance with the provisions of Rule 428 under the Securities Act and the introductory note to Part I of the Registration Statement. The documents containing the information
specified in Part I will be delivered to the participants in the Plans covered by this Registration Statement as required by Rule 428(b)(1).
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The Annual Report on Form
20-F
of Pearson plc ("Pearson") for the fiscal year ended December 
31, 2023 (
File
No. 001-16055
) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") on March 14, 2023 is incorporated in this registration statement by reference and made a part hereof.
All documents
filed by Pearson pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, to the extent, if any, we designate therein, reports on Form
6-K
we furnish to the SEC
after the date of this registration statement, but prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in the registration statement and to be part thereof from the date of filing of such documents.
Each document incorporated by
reference is current only as of the date of such document, and the incorporation by reference of such document shall not create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of Pearson since its date thereof or that the information
contained in it is current as of any time subsequent to its date. Any statement contained in such a document shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for the purpose of this registration statement to the extent that a subsequent statement
contained herein or in a subsequently filed document incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes that statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part
of this registration statement. In addition, any statement contained in any such document shall be deemed to be superseded for the purpose of this registration statement to the extent that a discussion contained herein covering the same subject
matter omits such statement. Any such statement omitted shall not be deemed to constitute a part of this registration statement.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5.
Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The Companies Act of 2006 (the "Act") does not permit a company to indemnify a director or an officer of the company against any liability which by
virtue of any rule of law would otherwise attach to him in respect of negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the company. Subject to the provisions of the Act, but without prejudice to any indemnity to which the person
concerned may otherwise be entitled, Pearson's Articles of Association provide that every director or officer of the Company shall be indemnified out of the assets of the Company against any liability incurred by him for negligence, default,
breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the affairs of the Company, to the extent that such indemnification would not be treated as void under the Act.
1
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Pearson has directors' and officers' liability insurance policies that insure directors and
officers against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of claims and judgments under certain circumstances.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8.
Exhibits.
The following exhibits are filed as part of this Registration Statement:
4.1
Articles of Association of Pearson plc (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 1.1 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form
20-F
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023)
4.2
Specimen certificate for ordinary shares of Pearson plc, nominal value of 25 pence each (filed herewith)
4.3
Form of Second Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement among Pearson plc, The Bank of New York and all Owners and holders from time to time of
American Depositary Receipts issued thereunder (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 1 to the Registration Statement on Form
F-6
(No.
333-129599))
5.1
Opinion of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP as to the validity of the Pearson plc Ordinary Shares (filed herewith)
23.1
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, London, England (filed herewith)
23.2
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP (filed herewith)
23.3
Consent of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1
Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page hereto)
99.1
The Pearson plc Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended (filed herewith)
99.2
The Pearson plc Long Term Incentive Plan (2020), as amended (filed herewith)
107
Filing Fee
Item 9. Undertakings.
(a)
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this
Registration Statement:
(i)
To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii)
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement
(or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement; and
(iii)
To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement;
2
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provided, howeve
r, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required
to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by such
registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
(2)
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3)
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which
remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act, and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful
defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
3
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements
for filing on Form
S-8
and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of London, England on March 15, 2024.
PEARSON PLC
By:
/s/ Sally Johnson
Sally Johnson
Chief Financial Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Know all persons by these presents, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Omar Abbosh and Sally Johnson his or her
true and lawful
attorney-in-fact
and agent, with full power of substitution, and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to execute one or more amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statements on Form
S-8
and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection
therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and does hereby grant unto said
attorney-in-fact
and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorney-in-fact
and agent, or his substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
This Power
of Attorney has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated as of the 15th day of March, 2024.
Pursuant to the requirements of
the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated below on March 15, 2024:
SIGNATURE
TITLE
/s/ Omar Abbosh
Omar Abbosh
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Sally Johnson
Sally Johnson
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Omid Kordestani
Omid Kordestani
Chairman
/s/ Sherry Coutu, CBE
Sherry Coutu, CBE
Director
/s/ Alison Dolan
Alison Dolan
Director
/s/ Alex Hardiman
Alex Hardiman
Director
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/s/ Esther Lee
Esther Lee
Director
/s/ Graeme Pitkethly
Graeme Pitkethly
Director
/s/ Tim Score
Tim Score
Director
/s/ Annette Thomas
Annette Thomas
Director
/s/ Lincoln Wallen
Lincoln Wallen
Director
5
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U.S. AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
PEARSON EDUCATION, INC.
By:
/s/ Katherine Varker Crimmins
Katherine Varker Crimmins
6