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 January 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 Trading Statement



19 January 2005


Trading update


Pearson is today providing a scheduled trading update ahead of our 2004
preliminary results announcement on 28 February 2005.


Pearson remains on track to achieve underlying progress in earnings, cash and
return on invested capital in 2004. We expect to report adjusted earnings per
share of approximately 30p and substantial growth in free cash flow. We continue
to expect a significant acceleration in our financial performance in 2005,
driven by a strong outlook for our education business.


Pearson Education and the FT Group ended 2004 in line with our expectations,
with our Higher Education business growing ahead of its industry for the sixth
straight year and the Financial Times breaking even in the fourth quarter.
Penguin suffered as tough trading conditions persisted through the holiday
season, particularly in US mass market and backlist titles.


We expect a reduction in our interest and tax charges  compared  with 2003.  The
full year average  exchange rate was  GBP1:$1.83  (against  GBP1:$1.63 in 2003),
which will reduce our adjusted  earnings per share by  approximately 4p compared
with last year.


We are also announcing today that we have voted our shares in MarketWatch, Inc.
in favour of Dow Jones's proposed acquisition of MarketWatch. We expect to
receive proceeds of approximately $100 million on completion of the transaction.


For more information:


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: 19 January 2005

                             By:   /s/ STEPHEN JONES
                            -----------------------
                                   Stephen Jones
                                   Deputy Secretary