UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


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                                    FORM 6-K

                        REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
                    PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER
                      THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                         For the month of February 2005

                                  PEARSON plc
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                                      N/A

                (Translation of registrant's name into English)

                                   80 Strand
                            London, England WC2R 0RL
                                44-20-7010-2000
                    (Address of principal executive office)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant  files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:

 
    
 
      Form 20-F X                                      Form 40-F

Indicate by check mark whether the  Registrant  by  furnishing  the  information
contained  in this  Form is  also  thereby  furnishing  the  information  to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 
    
 
       Yes                                              No X

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        This Report includes the following documents: 

1. A press release from Pearson plc announcing Statement re directorate

Dennis Stevenson to retire as Pearson chairman

Pearson announces that Dennis Stevenson intends to retire later this year after
eight years as chairman. A committee of the board, headed by the senior
independent director, Terry Burns, is choosing his successor.

Dennis Stevenson said: "The board and I have naturally been discussing plans for
my succession for some time, and this is a good moment to formalise the process.
Pearson is in excellent shape, looking forward to some very good years under a
strong executive team led by Marjorie. I am looking forward to my 60th birthday
later this year, and planning some new projects outside the plc world."

Dennis Stevenson joined the board of Pearson in 1986 as a non-executive director
and became chairman in May 1997.

Enquiries:

Luke Swanson / Charlotte Elston + 44 (0) 20 7010 2310


                                    SIGNATURE


Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                   PEARSON plc

Date: 28 February 2005 
  
                             By:   /s/ STEPHEN JONES
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                                   Stephen Jones
                                   Deputy Secretary