For the attention of @sebdaorg.bsky.social and anyone considering the different values and purposes of ‘observation or surveillance?’

Siren Films have extended their free to watch offer on our short, but beautiful, film about sustainability at The Grove. Do share with friends and colleagues ...

Statutory guidance on "Children missing education" has been updated: It's not also statutory for schools and includes a summary of responsibilities, including for parents, and a policy and procedure checklist: www.gov.uk/government/public...

Monk Debunks - well worth sharing with anyone who is still to understand how grains of truth are manipulated by some media to present something utterly deceptive in order to generate outrage and conflict for their own personal gain. open.substack.com/pub/monkdebu...

Just a reminder about the excellent range of local and national events to fuel and inspire us this Autumn, from Early Education: early-education.org.uk/news/events/...

Useful reminder of Cathy Gunning’s previous advice on Healthy Settling for High Well-being. Also, that there is no ‘key worker’ in EYFS. The ststutory term, and requirement, is ‘Keyperson’. early-education.org.uk/settling-chi...

Although late to the cricket party, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this. And not least because, after nearly 25 days of serious effort…there is no ‘winner’! The endeavour is still valued, and tells us so much about the individuals and the teams. Yes, assessment of children’s abilities is still on my mind.

Non-linear progress in Early Years. The National Strategies, 2008. Clearly accepted that educators can incorrectly or incompletely assess ‘progress’ if under-trained and reliant on linear assessment models. We’re not doing that now, are we? Especially with SEND, or non-SEND learning differences?

Is the Cornish word for ‘childish’ really ‘betwattled’?

@mrjamesob.bsky.social reading 1984 now, for all those who quote it without realising it is they who Orwell warns us about.

The ‘profound violence’ of Key Performance Indicators…

Read more about the Best Start in Life Strategy through the Early Education newsletter. ‘We welcome the emphasis on integrated services within the Early Years..’

Just discovered this from Emma Monk. Perfect for Mondays media (or statistics) lesson plan, teachers! coff.ee/MonkDebunks

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis... Took a while to find it but here’s the gem. Femi thanking the teachers, social workers, therapists and everyone supporting young people 🫶

Children’s agency, as well as Teacher agency and Teaching Assistant agency, need to be understood and enabled far better if we are to improve education. Looking forward to Dominic and Yana’s book immensely.

Highly recommended! If only I was younger… tomorrowswarriors.org/2025/05/30/i...

@mrjamesob.bsky.social ‘When I grow up, I want to be Nick Abbot’ 😂😂😂😂😂😂 Is this a podcast? I’ve already subscribed in anticipation.

A few nice reminders from Book Trust. David Threlfall was great in Skellig at The Young Vic wasn’t he! elinkeu.clickdimensions.com/m/1/11332944...

Eton records 27% of its pupils with SEND in most recent data? We support children everywhere. But it’s a reminder that data isn’t simple or absolute. It needs unpicking and it needs context if it is to be useful at all. www.specialneedsjungle.com/19-5-pupils-...

Fascism, Art and Education. A mini post on the central role of art in education. substack.com/@dominicgunn...

I miss the days when there was understanding of the incredible benefits of properly supporting children and families. www.theguardian.com/education/20...

Timely. makaton.org/TMC/News_Sto...

A thorough explanation from Ruth which will help educators and inspectors with any misunderstandings about healthy writing development and researched best practice.

Overhead at 10:03pm for all you locals! And Samatha Harvey fans.

Lens 4 of our Reflection with Guidance toolkit asks, “How do we capture transformations, the impact on all actors, and the changes apparent over time?” Take a look at our case studies which demonstrate how to capture transformations for children, adults, practice and pedagogy here: bit.ly/3FJebqR

I’ve obviously known her since she was born but I’m still stunned to see Tallulah standing next to her Psychology Degree poster presentation X

Interesting (although unsurprising) study in to the positive effects of time spent outdoors on preschoolers mental health: buff.ly/EbVOlFR #OutdoorPlay #EarlyChildhood

International Space Station passing over Hythe at 9:12pm tonight. For anyone whose enjoyed ‘Orbital’

Carlo Rovelli reminds us that sunsets literally don’t exist. ‘The Little Prince’ reminds us that sunsets are a source of joy and melancholy, emotion and calm, deeply connected with the human experience. Different perspectives tell us so much. #TheUniqueChild

Closing the Gap in Early Childhood Education. There’s a lot of noise again, as we prepare for Starting School and transition to KS 1, but most of it is (with best intentions) a distraction from our best education. Here’s why: open.substack.com/pub/dominicg...

Poetry in Education - where did it all go? (cont): Just beautiful from Seamus Heaney, bringing us ‘to our senses’.

Excluded from education, excluded within education, unable to take part happily or safely? SEBDA Conference 2025 will look for multi-agency solutions to this crisis. Ellie Costello (Square Pegs), Eliza Fricker (Missing the Mark) and many more will be presenting.

Restore the Music article in this weeks Big Issue. Music education has a positive impact on attendance, engagement and attainment. It also makes us happier. The DoE move to increase arts education is encouraging but creativity is not an ‘enrichment’ to the curriculum, it is the heart of learning.

‘Hope is the thing with rivers’ Great reference by Robert Macfarlane in his Byline Times article, preparing the way for his new book ‘Is a River Alive?’

Starting School Transition time again, everyone! But isn’t it always? With increasing numbers of children who ‘have difficulty with transitions’, it’s time to reflect on where resilience and enjoyment with transitions really comes from… Also available on Substack if that suits: lnkd.in/eRbEPZqX

Childhood Play, Removing PLAY as a punishment for failing to show the skills that need to be learnt through…PLAY, is like withholding water from your beans as a punishment because they have become dehydrated (Gunn, 2025) 🌱

Although not exploring the fuller problem with the phrase and concept of school readiness’, this article does have a collection of international refs that illustrate how environment has become muddled with what we still currently call Early Years SEND www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

New SEBDA journal! www.linkedin.com/posts/sebdas...

‘Using picture books to support mathematical development’ from Helen Williams, Sue Gifford and Catherine Gripton www.booktrust.org.uk/news-and-fea...

‘Supporting Children and Young People Through Loss and Trauma’ Recommended book by Juliet Taylor (National Council Member at SEBDA) www.routledge.com/Supporting-C...

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. What would happen if we stopped talking about SEND regarding individual children and just talked about SEND in relation to the environments and adults that our unique children have to negotiate?

Including art from 4 yr olds, if you’re in the area or can make a (worthwhile) trip to Cambridge mailchi.mp/kettlesyard/...

Great, comprehensive and friendly, conversational resource for all those interested in ‘Neurotypes and SEMH’

SEND in Mainstream Schools. Considering that Dyslexia was recognized as a different learning style decades ago, and is well understood with plenty of advice on teaching approaches and resources available…why is it the least well supported neurotype in UK schools?

With genuine respect for the commitment of individual teachers we support in MATs, we have to ask, how did we ever get to a place where the businessification of state education made these inequitable allowances possible?

Early Years funding will always remain tight but this is another sign of intent from the current Government that redistributing this country’s immense wealth is a priority early-education.org.uk/boost-for-ea...

Plenty of children will still be 4 when their EYFS Profile is completed. Using a child’s age, like ‘5’, as a measuring point might have some simple use, but professionally, perhaps ethically, it could use some work couldn’t it? assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/674743...

**NOW LIVE and FREE** The Early Childhood Mathematics Group’s guidance on teaching maths in a mixed year group classroom/setting: 🧵 mixed-age.earlymaths.org 1/

We know how to close this (so-called) GLD and SEND gap, even to the Governments suitably ambitious targets, at modest to minute extra cost. Advice available! early-education.org.uk/government-s...

Early Years SEND Important change in Profile which allowing ‘child’s established or preferred mode of communication (including non-speaking communication such as signing to be used for all of the early learning goals (ELGs)’ including ‘Speaking’ ELG. Discussion at EY SENCo Forum, 11.12.24