Important literary and mathematical analysis to lead into Christmas - is the Grinch extremely big or very small? open.substack.com/pub/lookinga...

Thanks so much again to the expert panel, including @cassiebuchanan.bsky.social @jonhutchinson.bsky.social @jo-annebaird.bsky.social and the others for their wisdom

The Francis Review is out. Huge congratulations to @beckyfrancis.bsky.social and the panel for a thorough and thoughtful review which is (1/4):

Today the curriculum and assessment review is published. Please do read the executive summary and recommendations. Thank you to everyone who gave evidence and who came and spoke to us. I really appreciated you all giving your time and expertise. 👉 www.gov.uk/government/p...

😍 Love London x

I think I am getting too old for Eurovision - watching Malta’s entry and just exhausting. #eurovision

Top motivation for engaging with PD? Improving children’s outcomes (88%)—a clear signal of the sector’s commitment to developing quality in early education and care Potential to do more: Only 11% of settings reported using Early Years Pupil Premium funding for Professional Development. 4/5

My self-nomination for parent of the year 🏆 - filming my teenager for the ‘Ice bucket challenge’ (yes, that seems to be doing the rounds again) And … forgetting to press record 📹🥶🤦🏻‍♀️

For those of you who love (or rely on) the genius that is Bluey & who love design and wonder how it shapes the shows our children (we) watch.. A Venn diagram I hope doesn’t only include me in the centre 😬 A very cool Substack.. 💙 open.substack.com/pub/goodsnif...

Find out what London South EYSPH are up to over April and May- click on the link to see our range of fully funded training👇🏾 mailchi.mp/845853ca5f20... @ncb.org.uk @cassiebuchanan.bsky.social @londonsouthtsh.bsky.social

When I was 7 (it was a long time ago) I used to disappear on my bike for hours - I would cycle to Littleover Community School & peer through the windows into the ‘grown up’ classrooms - I was desperate to go. Anyway, it’s still a very lovely proper comprehensive and you could teach there 👇

The new interim report from the curriculum review highlights concerns about key stage 2 writing assessments, the volume of GCSE exams and “indefensible” outcomes for some GCSE students resitting English and maths. The full @tesmagazine.bsky.social write up here: www.tes.com/magazine/new...

🌟New blog SEND and the Curriculum and Assessment Review: messages of hope from the interim report @beckyfrancis.bsky.social @jonhutchinson.bsky.social @cassiebuchanan.bsky.social @fstewarthistory.bsky.social @jo-annebaird.bsky.social sendmatters.co.uk/2025/03/18/s...

The full interim report is below 👇 www.gov.uk/government/p...

The interim curriculum review report has landed. From an EBacc review, to less content in primary school lessons and fewer GCSE exams - here's the 14 key things school leaders need to know ...

Writing exclusively for Tes, curriculum review lead @beckyfrancis.bsky.social lays out why she will be resisting ‘non-educationalists’ calling for revolution, and keeping what works in England’s curriculum and assessment

The curriculum and assessment review interim report - out today 👇 schoolsweek.co.uk/exams-volume...

Second part of our webinar series beginning tomorrow-book below! 19/3-12.30pm: forms.gle/3gGEcQa7Wv3C... 19/3-7pm: forms.gle/zMsVvuUtkehZ... 20/3-3.45pm: forms.gle/BrsDjwQ2u6vm... @ncb.org.uk @cassiebuchanan.bsky.social @londonsouthtsh.bsky.social

Following the appointment of Tom Wood to the post of Principal at Bedford Free School, we are looking for a Deputy Principal from September 2025. This is a brilliant school we want to take to even greater heights. Please share: mynewterm.com/jobs/138228/...

I have just discovered I have carefully overwintered a load of ‘weeds’ ready for the spring (well done me) - after all that effort, torn about whether to chuck them on the compost! Am sure there is an analogy to leadership in there 🤨

Book to attend Champions Training with BBC Tiny Happy People: forms.gle/w1dMrMc3NBy3..., 31/3/25 at 7pm. @ncb.org.uk @cassiebuchanan.bsky.social #strongerpracticehubs #bbctinyhappypeople

March is here!🌷 This week's training starts on Wednesday. Scan the code to book or follow these links: 5/2-12.30pm: forms.gle/iiAyWmf3UkHY... 5/2-7pm: forms.gle/ukBNVspn7f41... 6/2-3.45pm: forms.gle/pPaMziGDtghi... @ncb.org.uk @cassiebuchanan.bsky.social

‘Our ambition is ‘high standards for all’. We must aim high, drive up standards for all our young people, and ensure that none are left behind’ @beckyfrancis.bsky.social with an update from the curriculum & assessment review - our challenge and our opportunity schoolsweek.co.uk/what-do-we-m...

Let this be a warning to all of us who pore over seed catalogues and see the endless possibilities 💐🌸🌺🌼 I might* have overstretched myself with my second (eek) delivery of seeds 😬 *have

Good News! The funding for DFE Early Years Stronger practice hubs has been extended to support the Govt’s early years plan. If you’re a setting in South London looking for support, training or community, get in touch and say hello 👇👇👇

With keynotes from @benniekara.bsky.social & Jeffrey Boakye, this conference is being hosted by the five Research Schools across London & the South-East. 🤩 Find out more about the conference, browse the workshops on offer & BOOK TICKETS HERE ⬇️ www.unlock-ed.org @theeef.bsky.social

Take a look at all the 🤩 free training, networking and resources you can access via our DFE Early Years stronger practice hub 👇

New resource from the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood: 'Shaping Us'. - straightfowardly describes the social and emotional skills we need to thrive. - includes a short guide about what the skills look like in early childhood centreforearlychildhood.org/our-work/res...

NEW: One in four children in England need social care services by the age of 18, either for health-related services or child protection The findings of a new study have sparked warnings over the impact of poverty and austerity on children By me, for the Observer www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Most of my reading life is now on Substack, swapped short tweets for long reads (much better) 👇Here’s a good one on the rise of the ‘classics’ - reminder that Gen Z want books that challenge & demand thinking. Trying to decide if I should re-read Middlemarch? open.substack.com/pub/petya/p/...

#teamre very exicting day for those of us working on the #oaknational resources- the first batch have been put up onto the site- lots to explore here - I was working on the psychology of religion unit - www.thenational.academy/teachers/pro...

Evening, so we have stumbled across this strange flint stone on our dog walk recently - what is it? Internet says Neolithic tool but surely not? If it is indeed V V old, what do I do with it?!? Currently a paperweight on my desk 😬 (stone modelling by my 8 year old’s hands)

New post just out: My audit for 2024 - what I got right/wrong and my lessons to take into next year. (Free to read) open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...

The @theeef.bsky.social surveyed teachers about how they engaged with evidence via @teachertapp.bsky.social. It shows teachers 'often' engage with research evidence in England (mostly via social media), but it still proves hard to apply. Read more: d2tic4wvo1iusb.cloudfront.net/production/d...

Recent analysis by @nestauk.bsky.social shows that there is unequal access to high quality early education and childcare in England. Disadvantaged areas much less likely to have a setting or childminder rated Outstanding by Ofsted. Featured in my free newsletter ⤵️ www.linkedin.com/newsletters/...

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... 9 minutes of joy and love for a windy dark Sunday! Babies and children are wonderful at reminding us there is beauty in the world and to notice the simple things 😍

I don’t know why every year I am surprised by my Spotify Unwrapped? in my head, I think I had a cooler and more edgy music year than I clearly did! Hello Taylor Swift … (again) 👋

The @educendowfoundn have launched two new post-16 projects relating to GSCE resits. Colleges can find further details and register interest to take part, here -

I will be discussing the results of our first oracy assessment in more detail with @claresealy.bsky.social on Tuesday at 4pm. All NMM subscribers can register for the webinar for free here. hub2.nomoremarking.com/trainingVideos

Useful starter pack! go.bsky.app/E7SUj17

Today’s poem celebrates Fibonacci Day. It’s called ‘Word Crunching’.

Publications that advocates for PLAY in the EYFS #PlayMatters #EarlyYearsSky #EarlyYears #EYFS I have made a video but I can’t share on here so here is a list of books to advocate Play.

I love Dan’s posts. Gorgeous descriptions of how parents and caregivers build attachment and language in young children and babies. Lovely micro-training notes for those of us working in early years too 😍

CLOSES TOMORROW Last chance to submit your evidence, views and experiences to the curriculum and assessment call for evidence. Specific examples are particularly helpful, as well as specific justifications for adding, changing or removing. All submissions welcome!

My take on what we can learn about education workforce retention from this year’s Teacher Wellbeing Index. Hope the bicycle analogy passes muster with the cycling community!

Those who live and breathe curriculum and assessment by teaching every day have a deep and unique understanding of what’s going well and what needs to improve. If that’s you, please do share your precious insights through the call for evidence. consult.education.gov.uk/curriculum-a...

Last chance to submit your views on curriculum and assessment. We’ve already heard a wonderfully rich and diverse range of views from professionals, pupils, parents, employers and wider stakeholders. It’s a conversation that everyone’s invited to. 👇🏽 consult.education.gov.uk/curriculum-a...

New post just out: "Dropping Out" Why improvements to school standards are at serious risk. (Free to read) open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/d...

There are so many new people here that I thought it would be a good idea to repost this starter back of global majority people working in education and towards diversity, equity and inclusion - and allies too! go.bsky.app/QwW744Z

Primary folks had a brilliant day at Charles Dickens Primary School and hearing from @cassiebuchanan.bsky.social and team.