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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August&nbsp;1, 2001  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><B> Registration No.&nbsp;333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>FORM S-8<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>PEARSON plc<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>England and Wales</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
(State or other jurisdiction of<BR>
incorporation or organization)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Not Required</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
(IRS Employer<BR>
Identification No.)</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>3 Burlington Gardens<BR>
London, England W1X 1LE<BR>
44-20-7411-2000<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Address, including zip code, of Principal Executive Offices) </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=4><B>THE PEARSON LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Full Title of the Plan) </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Pearson&nbsp;Inc.<BR>
1330 Avenue of the Americas<BR>
New York, New York 10019<BR>
(212)&nbsp;641-2400<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Name, address, and telephone number,<BR>
including area code, of agent for service) </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Copy to:  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B> Gary S. Rothstein<BR>
Morgan, Lewis &amp; Bockius LLP<BR>
101 Park Avenue<BR>
New York, New York 10178<BR>
(212) 309-6000<BR>
FAX: (212) 309-6273  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B> CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE  </B></FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="25%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title of securities to<BR>
be registered<BR> </B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="14%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount to be<BR>
Registered(1)<BR> </B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="18%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed Maximum<BR>
Offering Price<BR>
per share<BR> </B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="18%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed Maximum<BR>
Aggregate<BR>
offering price<BR> </B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount of<BR>
Registration Fee(4)<BR> </B></FONT><BR></TH>
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<TD WIDTH="25%"><FONT SIZE=2>Company's Ordinary Shares, 25p per share</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="14%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>25,000,000(2)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$13.70(3)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="18%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$342,500,000.00</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$85,625.00</FONT></TD>
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<DL compact>
<DT><FONT SIZE=2>(1)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>American
Depositary Shares which may be issued with respect to Ordinary Shares will be registered under a separate Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;F-6. </FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>(2)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>The
Ordinary Shares of 25p each being registered hereby will be issued by Pearson plc ("Pearson") to certain United States employees who are participants in The Pearson
Long-Term Incentive Plan. In addition to the Ordinary Shares indicated above, pursuant to Rule&nbsp;416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the "Securities Act") this
Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate number of Ordinary Shares which may become issuable as a result of stock splits, stock dividends, or similar transactions in accordance with the
anti-dilution provisions of the Plan. </FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>(3)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>The
average weighted exercise price of outstanding Ordinary Shares pursuant to Rule&nbsp;457(h)(1), based upon the average of the high and low prices for the common stock as
reported on the New York Stock Exchange for July&nbsp;25, 2001. </FONT></DD><DT><FONT SIZE=2>(4)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Calculated
pursuant to Section&nbsp;6(b) of the Securities Act as follows: proposed maximum aggregate offering price multiplied by .000250. </FONT></DD></DL>
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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>PART I<BR>  <BR>    INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 1.&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Plan Information</I></B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>.* </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 2.&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information</I></B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>.* </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Information
required by Part&nbsp;I to be contained in the Section&nbsp;10(a) prospectus is omitted from this Registration Statement in accordance with
Rule&nbsp;428 under the Securities Act and the Explanatory Note to Part&nbsp;I of this Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8. </FONT></P>

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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>PART II<BR>  <BR>    INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Incorporation of Documents by Reference</I></B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
following documents filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement: </FONT></P>

<UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;The
description of our Ordinary Shares, par value 25p, and our American Depository Shares contained in our Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;F-1
(Registration No.&nbsp;333-43198), including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;All
other reports filed by us with the Commission pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since the end of our fiscal year ended
December&nbsp;31, 1999. </FONT></P>

</UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All
reports and other documents subsequently filed by us pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"),
prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Any
statement contained herein or in a document all or a portion of which is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein modifies or supersedes such 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. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Description of Securities</I></B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not
Applicable. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</I></B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not
Applicable. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 6.&nbsp;&nbsp;Indemnification of Directors and Officers</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subject
to applicable English law, our directors and officers will be indemnified by us and/or exempted by us from all costs, charges, losses and liabilities incurred by them in the
actual or purported exercise or discharge of their powers or duties. This indemnity and exemption includes any liability incurred by them in defending any civil or criminal proceedings which relate to
anything done or alleged to have been done by them as our officer or employee and in which judgment is given in their favor; or where proceedings are disposed of without any finding or admission of
any material breach of duty on their part; or in which they are acquitted or in respect of which relief from liability is granted. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Our
directors have the power to purchase and maintain insurance for, or for the benefit of, any persons that are or were at any time a director or officer of us or any company we
control or that is part of our group (a "Relevant Company") or that are or were trustees of any pension fund or employees' share scheme in which employees of any Relevant Company are interested. Such
insurance may include insurance against any liability incurred by them in respect of any act or omission in the actual or purported exercise or discharge of their powers or duties in relation to any
Relevant Company, or such pension fund or employees' share scheme. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 7.&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Exemption from Registration Claimed</I></B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not
Applicable. </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 8.&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Exhibits</I></B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>. </FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="8%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Exhibit<BR> </B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="89%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Description</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
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<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
4.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Memorandum and Articles of Association of Pearson (incorporated by reference from Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 to Pearson's Registration Statement on Form F-1 (No. 333-43198)).</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
4.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Specimen certificate for ordinary shares of Pearson plc, 25 par value (incorporated by reference from Exhibit&nbsp;4.1 to Pearson's Registration Statement on Form F-1 (No. 333-43198)).</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
4.3</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Form of Amended Deposit Agreement between Pearson plc and The Bank of New York and Form of ADR (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 to Pearson's Registration Statement on Form F-1 (No.&nbsp;333-43198)).</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
4.4</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
The Pearson Long-Term Incentive Plan.</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
5</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Opinion of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers.</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.3</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (included in Exhibit 5).</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
24</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Powers of Attorney (included on signature page hereof).</FONT></TD>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 9.&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Undertakings</I></B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>. </FONT></P>

<UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: </FONT></P>

<UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;To
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: </FONT></P>

<UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i)&nbsp;To
include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii)&nbsp;To
reflect in the Prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this 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 this Registration Statement; and </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii)&nbsp;To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to
such information in this Registration Statement; </FONT></P>

</UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><I>provided, however</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>, that paragraphs&nbsp;(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 by the registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act that are
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;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. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;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. </FONT></P>

</UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;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&nbsp;13(a) or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;15(d) of the
Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement 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. </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;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. </FONT></P>

</UL>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
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<A NAME="toc_jc1382_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>SIGNATURES    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form&nbsp;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,
on the 1st day of August, 2001. </FONT></P>

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<TD COLSPAN=3><FONT SIZE=2>PEARSON PLC</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="50%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>By:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="40%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JOHN MAKINSON</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> John Makinson</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="50%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
By:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="40%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>STEVENSON</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Lord Stevenson<BR></FONT>
</TD>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Each
person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Marjorie Scardino, John Makinson and Peter Gill and each of them, with full power to act without, the other such
person's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities,
to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and any and all other documents and instruments incidental thereto, and to file the
same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any other regulatory authority, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as
he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof. </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following individuals in the capacities and on the date or dates
indicated. </FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="32%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Date</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
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<TD WIDTH="44%" VALIGN="TOP"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="32%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="44%"><FONT SIZE=2>/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>STEVENSON</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Lord Stevenson</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="32%"><FONT SIZE=2>Chairman</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%"><FONT SIZE=2>August&nbsp;1, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="44%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>MARJORIE SCARDINO</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Marjorie Scardino</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="32%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Chief Executive Officer and Director (principal executive officer)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
August&nbsp;1, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="44%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JOHN MAKINSON</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> John Makinson</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="32%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Finance Director (principal financial officer)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
August&nbsp;1, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="44%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>PETER GILL</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Peter Gill</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="32%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director, Financial Operations (principal accounting officer)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
August&nbsp;1, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="44%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>DAVID BELL</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> David Bell</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="32%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
August&nbsp;1, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="44%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>BURNS</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Lord Burns</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="32%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
August&nbsp;1, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="44%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>REUBEN MARK</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Reuben Mark</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="32%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
August&nbsp;1, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="44%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>VERNON SANKEY</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Vernon Sankey</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="32%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
August&nbsp;1, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="44%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>RANA TALWAR</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Rana Talwar</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="32%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
August&nbsp;1, 2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>U.S. AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>PEARSON&nbsp;INC.  </B></FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
By:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="43%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JOHN FALLON</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="43%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2>Name:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="43%"><FONT SIZE=2>John Fallon</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="43%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2>Title:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="43%"><FONT SIZE=2>President</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="43%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="ka1382_exhibit_index"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_ka1382_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>EXHIBIT INDEX    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

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<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TH WIDTH="8%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Exhibit<BR> </B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="89%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Description</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#CCEEFF" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2>4.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2>Memorandum and Articles of Association of Pearson (incorporated by reference from Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 to Pearson's Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;F-1 (No.&nbsp;333-43198)).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="White" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
4.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Specimen certificate for ordinary shares of Pearson plc, 25 par value (incorporated by reference from Exhibit&nbsp;4.1 to Pearson's Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;F-1 (No.&nbsp;333-43198)).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#CCEEFF" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
4.3</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Form of Amended Deposit Agreement between Pearson plc and The Bank of New York and Form of ADR (incorporated by reference from Exhibit&nbsp;4.2 to Pearson's Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;F-1 (No.&nbsp;333-43198)).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="White" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
4.4</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
The Pearson Long-Term Incentive Plan.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#CCEEFF" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
5</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Opinion of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="White" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#CCEEFF" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.3</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="White" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
24</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Powers of Attorney (included on signature page hereof).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<P><br><A NAME="01LON1382_1">QuickLinks</A><br></P><!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de1382_1">PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</A></FONT><BR>
<!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ja1382_1">PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</A></FONT><BR>
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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_jc1382_1">SIGNATURES</A></FONT><BR>
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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ka1382_1">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></FONT><BR>
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[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "a2055441zs-8.htm", "description": "S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 32747}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "PEARSON PLC", "cik": "0000938323", "assigned-sic": "", "state-of-incorporation": "X0"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-66444", "film-number": "1695070"}, "business-address": {"street1": "3 BURLINGTON GARDENS", "street2": "BANK OF NEW YORK", "city": "LONDON UK W1X 1LE", "state": "X0", "zip": "00000", "phone": "4420744120"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "3 BURLINGTON GARDENS", "city": "LONDON UK W1X 1LE", "state": "X0", "zip": "00000"}}
Prepared by MERRILL CORPORATION
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 1, 2001
Registration No. 333-
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)
England and Wales
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
Not Required
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
3 Burlington Gardens
London, England W1X 1LE
44-20-7411-2000
(Address, including zip code, of Principal Executive Offices)
THE PEARSON LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
(Full Title of the Plan)
Pearson Inc.
1330 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019
(212) 641-2400
(Name, address, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
Copy to:
Gary S. Rothstein
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
101 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10178
(212) 309-6000
FAX: (212) 309-6273
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of securities to
be registered
Amount to be
Registered(1)
Proposed Maximum
Offering Price
per share
Proposed Maximum
Aggregate
offering price
Amount of
Registration Fee(4)
Company's Ordinary Shares, 25p per share
25,000,000(2)
$13.70(3)
$342,500,000.00
$85,625.00
(1)
American
Depositary Shares which may be issued with respect to Ordinary Shares will be registered under a separate Registration Statement on Form F-6.
(2)
The
Ordinary Shares of 25p each being registered hereby will be issued by Pearson plc ("Pearson") to certain United States employees who are participants in The Pearson
Long-Term Incentive Plan. In addition to the Ordinary Shares indicated above, pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the "Securities Act") this
Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate number of Ordinary Shares which may become issuable as a result of stock splits, stock dividends, or similar transactions in accordance with the
anti-dilution provisions of the Plan.
(3)
The
average weighted exercise price of outstanding Ordinary Shares pursuant to Rule 457(h)(1), based upon the average of the high and low prices for the common stock as
reported on the New York Stock Exchange for July 25, 2001.
(4)
Calculated
pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Securities Act as follows: proposed maximum aggregate offering price multiplied by .000250.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
Item 1.
Plan Information
.*
Item 2.
Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information
.*
*   Information
required by Part I to be contained in the Section 10(a) prospectus is omitted from this Registration Statement in accordance with
Rule 428 under the Securities Act and the Explanatory Note to Part I of this Registration Statement on Form S-8.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3.
Incorporation of Documents by Reference
.
The
following documents filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement:
(a) The
description of our Ordinary Shares, par value 25p, and our American Depository Shares contained in our Registration Statement on Form F-1
(Registration No. 333-43198), including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.
(b) All
other reports filed by us with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since the end of our fiscal year ended
December 31, 1999.
All
reports and other documents subsequently filed by us pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"),
prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
Any
statement contained herein or in a document all or a portion of which is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein modifies or supersedes such 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.
Item 4.
Description of Securities
.
Not
Applicable.
Item 5.
Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
.
Not
Applicable.
Item 6.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers
.
Subject
to applicable English law, our directors and officers will be indemnified by us and/or exempted by us from all costs, charges, losses and liabilities incurred by them in the
actual or purported exercise or discharge of their powers or duties. This indemnity and exemption includes any liability incurred by them in defending any civil or criminal proceedings which relate to
anything done or alleged to have been done by them as our officer or employee and in which judgment is given in their favor; or where proceedings are disposed of without any finding or admission of
any material breach of duty on their part; or in which they are acquitted or in respect of which relief from liability is granted.
Our
directors have the power to purchase and maintain insurance for, or for the benefit of, any persons that are or were at any time a director or officer of us or any company we
control or that is part of our group (a "Relevant Company") or that are or were trustees of any pension fund or employees' share scheme in which employees of any Relevant Company are interested. Such
insurance may include insurance against any liability incurred by them in respect of any act or omission in the actual or purported exercise or discharge of their powers or duties in relation to any
Relevant Company, or such pension fund or employees' share scheme.
Item 7.
Exemption from Registration Claimed
.
Not
Applicable.
Item 8.
Exhibits
.
Exhibit
Description
4.1
Memorandum and Articles of Association of Pearson (incorporated by reference from Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 to Pearson's Registration Statement on Form F-1 (No. 333-43198)).
4.2
Specimen certificate for ordinary shares of Pearson plc, 25 par value (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to Pearson's Registration Statement on Form F-1 (No. 333-43198)).
4.3
Form of Amended Deposit Agreement between Pearson plc and The Bank of New York and Form of ADR (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 to Pearson's Registration Statement on Form F-1 (No. 333-43198)).
4.4
The Pearson Long-Term Incentive Plan.
5
Opinion of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.
23.1
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers.
23.3
Consent of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (included in Exhibit 5).
24
Powers of Attorney (included on signature page hereof).
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 this 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 this Registration Statement; and
(iii) To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to
such information in this Registration Statement;
provided, however
, 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 by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are
incorporated by reference in this 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 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement 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.
(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.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, 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,
on the 1st day of August, 2001.
PEARSON PLC
By:
/s/
JOHN MAKINSON
John Makinson
By:
/s/
STEVENSON
Lord Stevenson
Each
person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Marjorie Scardino, John Makinson and Peter Gill and each of them, with full power to act without, the other such
person's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities,
to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and any and all other documents and instruments incidental thereto, and to file the
same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any other regulatory authority, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as
he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following individuals in the capacities and on the date or dates
indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/
STEVENSON
Lord Stevenson
Chairman
August 1, 2001
/s/
MARJORIE SCARDINO
Marjorie Scardino
Chief Executive Officer and Director (principal executive officer)
August 1, 2001
/s/
JOHN MAKINSON
John Makinson
Finance Director (principal financial officer)
August 1, 2001
/s/
PETER GILL
Peter Gill
Director, Financial Operations (principal accounting officer)
August 1, 2001
/s/
DAVID BELL
David Bell
Director
August 1, 2001
/s/
BURNS
Lord Burns
Director
August 1, 2001
/s/
REUBEN MARK
Reuben Mark
Director
August 1, 2001
/s/
VERNON SANKEY
Vernon Sankey
Director
August 1, 2001
/s/
RANA TALWAR
Rana Talwar
Director
August 1, 2001
U.S. AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
PEARSON INC.
By:
/s/
JOHN FALLON
Name:
John Fallon
Title:
President
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Description
4.1
Memorandum and Articles of Association of Pearson (incorporated by reference from Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 to Pearson's Registration Statement on Form F-1 (No. 333-43198)).
4.2
Specimen certificate for ordinary shares of Pearson plc, 25 par value (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to Pearson's Registration Statement on Form F-1 (No. 333-43198)).
4.3
Form of Amended Deposit Agreement between Pearson plc and The Bank of New York and Form of ADR (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 to Pearson's Registration Statement on Form F-1 (No. 333-43198)).
4.4
The Pearson Long-Term Incentive Plan.
5
Opinion of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.
23.1
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers.
23.3
Consent of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (included in Exhibit 5).
24
Powers of Attorney (included on signature page hereof).
QuickLinks
PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX