A major problem with the EduCognitivist revolution was trying to algorithmise teaching. Algorithms are such thin rules that they can only ever work in a tightly controlled environment (no exceptions). Therefore, to allow their algorithms to work, they also had to homogenise students & classrooms.

Lots of food for thought here.

Last time for this. Section 57 of the 1944 Butler Act formalised a horrible prejudice: that some people are incapable of being educated. It is a prejudice we have failed to properly address. open.substack.com/pub/bernarda...

SEN are a property of the eudcators not the educated. A new substack post in which I argue that Special Education policy should never have focussed on what the child *needs* to be educated, but instead on what the LEA *needs* to educate the child. open.substack.com/pub/bernarda...

SEN are a property of the eudcators not the educated. A new substack post in which I argue that Special Education policy should never have focussed on what the child *needs* to be educated, but instead on what the LEA *needs* to educate the child. open.substack.com/pub/bernarda...

SEN are a property of the eudcators not the educated. A new substack post in which I argue that Special Education policy should never have focussed on what the child *needs* to be educated, but instead on what the LEA *needs* to educate the child. open.substack.com/pub/bernarda...

Wacky idea #1000: it has never been the children that have special educational needs, it's the LEAs! open.substack.com/pub/bernarda...

Wacky idea #1000: it has never been the children that have special educational needs, it's the LEAs! open.substack.com/pub/bernarda...

What do we mean by 'learning'? Most of us agree that it's about more than just exam grades, but we need a formal definition if we want education policy that works for all, writes @bernardandrews.bsky.social

A very interesting read from @bernardandrews.bsky.social

'Retrieval practice' is not a synonym for teaching or learning. The learning = memory narrative is really problematic for our conception of what education is. #EduSky

A reminder, if one were needed, that for all their talk of “vile criminal gangs”, our states would punish the Good Samaritan himself if he were to help a migrant

Huh this was quite the read, and also the profile pic is great

Every day this seems like a better and better idea. I can't think of any better way to enable media literacy (and support decent journalism) than to have the govt pay for subscriptions to decent newspapers. euroweeklynews.com/2025/05/10/p...

He really does.

This is a direct consequence of Jenrick's attacks. He needs to be held responsible.

I think this is really good. Great article.

EHCPs have been blamed for driving an unsustainable rise in SEND. But would limiting these actually fix the problem, asks @mmulholland.bsky.social

@skolinkvisition.bsky.social @bernardandrews.bsky.social ❤️❣️

The house paradox: houses are both costly and valued

Worst "paradox" ever...

So sad... the world has fallen to grifters. www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...

Ah the 1970s. Stagflation, three day weeks, collapsing infrastructure. Civil War in Northern Ireland. In yer face racism and bigotry everywhere. Bin strikes. Strikes in general. Blackouts. Industrial decline. Wage inequality. Dog crap everywhere. And households spent 25% of their income on food.

Retrieval practice is bullshit... open.substack.com/pub/bernarda...

Fantastic post. #EduSky #UKEd @mraleosays.bsky.social @covingtonedu.bsky.social @nolo14.bsky.social

Fascinating.

Retrieval practice is bullshit... open.substack.com/pub/bernarda...

From @bernardandrews.bsky.social #EduSky #UKEd substack.com/home/post/p-...

If racism has no place in his party, then Nigel Farage should prove it by withdrawing the whip from Sarah Pochin immediately.

Clarifying our SEND concepts is a prerequisite for achieving any kind of justice: open.substack.com/pub/bernarda...

7 sources of SEND conceptual confusions: 1. ‌are SEND diagnoses concrete or abstract? ‌2. what's a "need'? 3. ‌confusions re. The meaning of "cannot" 4. ‌are explanations of SEND causal or not? 5. statistical norms and SEND 6. criteria and causes 7. SEND and emotions. open.substack.com/pub/bernarda...

7 sources of SEND conceptual confusions: 1. ‌are SEND diagnoses concrete or abstract? ‌2. what's a "need'? 3. ‌confusions re. The meaning of "cannot" 4. ‌are explanations of SEND causal or not? 5. statistical norms and SEND 6. criteria and causes 7. SEND and emotions. open.substack.com/pub/bernarda...

Clarifying our SEND concepts is a prerequisite for achieving any kind of justice: open.substack.com/pub/bernarda...

A very long post (5,500) that uses my criticisms of Sami Timimi's 'Searching for Normal' as a catalyst for producing 8 priorities for a great SEND system. open.substack.com/pub/bernarda...

A very long post (5,500) that uses my criticisms of Sami Timimi's 'Searching for Normal' as a catalyst for producing 8 priorities for a great SEND system. open.substack.com/pub/bernarda...

"This is not an argument against people having needs; it’s an argument against the idea that the categories we use will help us to understand what those needs are... There’s no shortcut to looking at each individual person," says Sami Timimi. www.tes.com/magazine/tea...

Didn't you write a philosophy paper about just this issue, @csandis.bsky.social ?

may be of interest: @profbeckyallen.bsky.social

How we confuse two different meanings of 'typical' and why it is crucial for SEND discussions. (or why correlation is not characterisation)

What is an idea? We tend to overcomplicate the idea of an ‘idea’. If asked, ‘what is an idea?’, people often answer with reference to something ‘inside our heads’ or in terms of ‘a thought’, and so on. But I think that the field of education would benefit if we demystified the notion somewhat.

Just as a ruler is wood, plastic, or metal structured in particular ways, an idea is a set of sounds, words, gestures, images (etc.) structured in particular ways. The genius of language is that we managed to create tools using nothing more than the noises and marks that we make.

Anyone want to disagree with me about this description of what an idea is?

Pope Leo XIV has blasted how wealthy people live in a “bubble of comfort and luxury” while the poor suffer. In his first teaching document Thursday, Leo confirms that he is in perfect lockstep with Pope Francis on matters of social injustice.

What is an idea? Demystifying the idea of an idea open.substack.com/pub/bernarda...

What is an idea? We tend to overcomplicate the idea of an ‘idea’. If asked, ‘what is an idea?’, people often answer with reference to something ‘inside our heads’ or in terms of ‘a thought’, and so on. But I think that the field of education would benefit if we demystified the notion somewhat.

A short post (~500 words) on a distinction that's often overlooked, but is extremely important, especially in discussions around SEND. open.substack.com/pub/bernarda...

How we confuse two different meanings of 'typical' and why it is crucial for SEND discussions open.substack.com/pub/bernarda...

How we confuse two different meanings of 'typical' and why it is crucial for SEND discussions open.substack.com/pub/bernarda...

I just want it to be normal to say "ah this kid's a bit eccentric but that's normal for humans and nothing to worry about."

People recognised as refugees fleeing persecution & granted the right to live in the UK to be denied the right to be joined safely by their spouse & children. This Labour govt is a moral void, a stinking darkness, an empty hollow of cowardice & contempt. #r4today www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...