Rob Hardcastle
@robhardcastle.bsky.social
📤 195
📥 252
📝 136
CEO of a great MAT in East Midlands. All views are my own.
Remember if your setting achieves between 55 and 59% in the combined expected+ in SSTs this year, you can officially say to the inspection team you achieved nearly three fifth at expected or better, which as we know is broadly in line with average. Don't let the lead say it isn't!
about 1 month ago
0
1
0
reposted by
Rob Hardcastle
Trish Greenhalgh
about 1 month ago
Every summer I repost this article on how to spot drowning. Please read it and pass on. In the last few years I’ve had SIX messages from people who saved a kid’s life after clicking on the link from my feed.
slate.com/technology/2...
loading . . .
Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning
Drowning is not the violent, splashing call for help that most people expect.
https://slate.com/technology/2013/06/rescuing-drowning-children-how-to-know-when-someone-is-in-trouble-in-the-water.html
258
13341
10213
Just completed a trawl through about 30 Ofsted reports all released since Feb 26. With one exception, every setting with low attainment get needs attention for achievement and leadership and governance and every setting with close to average or above achievement gets expected or above for both.
4 months ago
3
18
10
Here with my good friend Eddie McGeown watching BRADFORD VS Peterborough
4 months ago
0
0
0
Really great piece from Dr Kate Chhatwal, CEO of Challenge Partners, about what DfE Minsters should be considering now as they lay the foundations of Trust inspections.
schoolsweek.co.uk/our-trust-pe...
loading . . .
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/our-trust-peer-reviews-provide-lessons-for-upcoming-legislation/
5 months ago
0
0
1
This, this and this again! BBC News - As we return to a pre-WW2 order, the middle powers face a challenge - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
loading . . .
As we return to a pre-WW2 order, the middle powers face a challenge
With economic stagnation and extremes of inequality comes corrosion of trust in democratic institutions. So Trump may be a symptom, not a cause, of what Carney called a
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c99kkerr93ko
5 months ago
0
0
0
Given the awful shooting in Minneapolis last night and their international political stance,Mark Carney was right to say middle tier countries like Canada and UK must urgently work together.Otherwise we are driven into the hands of China.Worringly, the latter seems to be the direction we are taking.
5 months ago
1
0
0
This has many sensible points, however it does wreak a bit of central bankers pseudo threatening elected politicians. Democracy is more important. A private memo from central banks to governments
www.economist.com/leaders/2026...
From The Economist
loading . . .
A private memo from central banks to governments
You come at the king (of finance), you best not miss
https://www.economist.com/leaders/2026/01/14/a-private-memo-from-central-banks-to-governments
5 months ago
0
1
0
I bet they don't ask a single CEO of a primary MAT that has 5 or fewer schools to be part of the group helping to work on the inspection framework design.
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-mat-i...
loading . . .
Ofsted MAT inspections could begin in 2027
Inspections at multi-academy trusts are to be introduced via new legislation
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-mat-inspections-could-begin-in-2027-says-phillipson/
6 months ago
1
1
0
reposted by
Rob Hardcastle
FT Edit
7 months ago
Grandparents with money to spare while children struggle to pay their bills is a failure of resource allocation, argues columnist Jonathan Guthrie. Read the story on FTEdit 👉
on.ft.com/490F2dX
Then take today's FTEdit poll 🗳️
on.ft.com/4oLBQHM
loading . . .
4
13
5
Of all of the hulabaloo in the media today about resignations and who said or meant what, this is by far and away the most important story today. BBC News - US and UK agree zero tariffs deal on pharmaceuticals - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
loading . . .
US and UK agree zero tariffs deal on pharmaceuticals
The deal follows threats of tariffs as high as 100% on branded drug imports.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0k520v4xro
7 months ago
0
2
0
I wonder if the ill fated revised pension scheme United Learning proposed might be revisited again if this is where we end up?
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
loading . . .
Farage's 'gold plated' pension reform plan faces firefighters strike threat
Reform set to say it would axe defined benefit schemes used in public sector
https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/farage-gold-plated-pension-reform-plan-strike-4023605
8 months ago
0
1
0
This is a worry if the constitution in the US is changed to again allow a person to be more than a two term President. However, if this happens might Obama run against him? BBC News - Trump does not rule out seeking third term - but says he will not use VP loophole
www.bbc.com/news/article...
loading . . .
Trump does not rule out seeking third term - but says he will not use VP loophole
Trump rules out running for vice-president, an idea floated by supporters to circumvent the US constitution which bars him from running again.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c797q57ple9o
8 months ago
0
2
0
Nobody will deny getting pupils to be able to decode, encode and confidently manipulate phonemes is vital to early reading skills and sets them up well for later curriculum success, but please let's not demonise the school who achieves 80% and educates children from overwhelmingly low income area.
9 months ago
1
0
0
I agree with most of this, but the role is quite specific and it would be odd if it was given to a DH or AH and IMO it's too much for those in a governance role. So it falls to the HT, which I suspect it will, on most occasions, or someone in a MAT leadership team?
schoolsweek.co.uk/how-to-make-...
loading . . .
Don't waste time! Identify your Ofsted nominee now
The role can transform the inspection experience - but only if its holder is equipped for the challenge
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/how-to-make-the-most-of-ofsteds-new-nominee-role/
9 months ago
0
1
0
A challenging read. If we are to fulfil the transition to an AI powerhouse set out this week so clearly by the UK PM and US President then we need to focus on this. Our secondary has some of the best rates of success in maths with its disadvantaged pupils.
ffteducationdatalab.org.uk/2025/09/why-...
loading . . .
Why does England lose so many promising young mathematicians from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds? - FFT Education Datalab
A look at the leaky pipeline for pupils who show potential in maths at age eleven but don't go on to pursue the subject.
https://ffteducationdatalab.org.uk/2025/09/why-does-england-lose-so-many-promising-young-mathematicians-from-disadvantaged-socio-economic-backgrounds/
9 months ago
0
2
0
Bit of a visionary this fella!
www.facebook.com/share/v/1ChD...
loading . . .
Redirecting...
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ChD7NWRmv/?mibextid=wwXIfr
10 months ago
0
0
0
One of the more sensible articles I've read about achievable tax reform by Dan Neidle.
www.ft.com/content/59f1...
loading . . .
Stop talking about wealth taxes — make these reforms instead
Any sane discussion of changes that both right and left could agree on is being crowded out by tax populism
https://www.ft.com/content/59f12358-a672-4f5d-a9f5-38e45e7f113c
10 months ago
0
1
0
WE ALL MUST BE WITH UKRAINE RIGHT NOW. MORE SO THAN EVER BEFORE. LET'S DO WHAT WE CAN AND NEVER FORGET WHAT THOUSANDS, MAYBE MILLIONS, OF THEIR PEOPLE CONTINUE TO ENDURE. THIS IS WAR IN EUROPE AND WE COULD BE NEXT! BBC News - Russian army inches closer
www.bbc.com/news/article...
loading . . .
As Russian forces advance, Ukrainians in Donbas must choose to stay or go
In Bilozerske, eastern Ukraine, people must make the agonising decision to flee or risk staying.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy50kk14y00o
10 months ago
0
2
1
Let's make no bones about it, living in Russia or China (with its We Chat app) is a surveillance nightmare when it comes to the personal freedoms we enjoy. Let's be open about why autocracy and dictators are such a threat to the way we live. BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
loading . . .
Russia targets WhatsApp and pushes new 'super-app' as internet blackouts grow
Millions of Russians have faced restrictions on popular apps while a new app called Max is aggressively promoted.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce9rj2145jgo
10 months ago
0
0
0
So true. My water billed doubled overnight and most of it was not increased use but hidden and huge additional cost increases. Their representative on the phone didn't want to linger on these when I phoned them asking them to be reasonable.
10 months ago
0
0
0
If we are going to make this ONE planet a safer, more collegiate and sustainable place for our grandchildren to live in, then this sort of language in newspapers and the media helps no one.
11 months ago
0
0
0
Good!! BBC News - Porn site traffic plummets as UK age verification rules enforced - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
loading . . .
Porn site traffic plummets as UK age verification rules enforced
Data suggests leading adult site Pornhub lost more than one million visitors in two weeks.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c17n9k54qz2o
11 months ago
0
0
0
Nothing against the MAT leaders in this group. I know some professionally, and they are strong leaders, but I'm afraid the government rarely pulls from leaders of SATs or small MATs for advice. We do the same job with the same knowledge, expertise and experience.
schoolsweek.co.uk/20-academy-c...
loading . . .
20 academy CEOs appointed to DfE advisory group
United Learning, Lift Schools, Ark and Star bosses among those appointed to advise government
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/20-academy-ceos-appointed-to-dfe-advisory-group/
12 months ago
0
1
0
Just watched the Scissor Sisters set at Glastonbury on iPlayer. It was just so good and the joy on everyone's faces was so clear. Go watch it.
12 months ago
0
2
0
schoolimprovementhub.org/case-studies/
It was great being involved in the case study for Hatton Academies Trust. Thanks for the support from CST in putting it together.
loading . . .
Case studies - School Improvement Hub
Case Studies CST and ImpactEd Group are working together to collate examples of school improvement practices from across the system. Here we will publish regular trust spotlights, exploring what is wo...
https://schoolimprovementhub.org/case-studies/
about 1 year ago
0
2
0
reposted by
Rob Hardcastle
Trish Greenhalgh
about 1 year ago
Thanks for the reminder
@janemunday.bsky.social
. Every summer, I repost this article DROWNING DOES NOT LOOK LIKE DROWNING. To date, I know of FOUR kids who were saved after someone who'd clicked on the link learnt how to spot actual drowning. Take time to read and pass on.
slate.com/technology/2...
loading . . .
Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning
Drowning is not the violent, splashing call for help that most people expect.
https://slate.com/technology/2013/06/rescuing-drowning-children-how-to-know-when-someone-is-in-trouble-in-the-water.html
109
5606
5150
Where's the social pressure on parents to sort toilet training before a child starts in nursery?A colleague who works in a nursery tells me she still has 12 who aren't toilet trained yet.In 2016 she said they had only 6 not toilet trained at the start of that year let alone the end!What's going on??
about 1 year ago
0
1
0
4 key themes from this excellent piece. Embrace Practice at the Edge of Mastery: the "85% rule" Build Procedural Fluency Use AI as Amplifier, Not Replacement Teach Metacognitive Awareness.
add a skeleton here at some point
about 1 year ago
0
1
0
Really pleased to be attending the third commission meeting today in Leeds. The Research Commission is an opportunity to work with sector colleagues to understand how engagement measures are a lead indicator for attendance, motivation and enjoyment at school.
www.impactedgroup.uk/resources/re...
loading . . .
https://www.impactedgroup.uk/resources/report-mind-the-engagement-gap
about 1 year ago
0
0
0
Love this idea!
about 1 year ago
0
0
0
Reading Die with Zero by Bill Perkins right now. A fascinating take on planning for now and for your future. Mind changing.
about 1 year ago
0
0
0
There needs to be more transparency and clarity on how RISE advisers and RD will identify support to offer stuck schools. What was said today remains opaque.The list of factors considered is so long. A clear transparent framework is required for these key decisions.
schoolsweek.co.uk/stuck-school...
loading . . .
Stuck schools held accountable if RISE advice falls flat
Stuck schools will be held accountable even if support brokered for them by the government RISE teams fails to turn them around
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/stuck-schools-held-accountable-if-rise-advice-falls-flat/
about 1 year ago
0
0
0
reposted by
Rob Hardcastle
Paul Lewis
about 1 year ago
Defrauded to death - thieves steal ÂŁ260,000 from pensioner and @firstdirect part of @HSBC_UK refused to reimburse him
bit.ly/4minE9t
allowing thousands of pounds paid daily to them from his account saying “there were things [Colin] should have done to protect [himself]”
loading . . .
Frauds stole ÂŁ260k from Colin before he died. We called them up
Through an elaborate scam, criminals drove Colin Chudley, a physically fit 68-year-old, to despair and financial ruin. Listen to what they said when confronted
https://bit.ly/4minE9t
1
41
16
I don't understand why, 'new massive sanctions' weren't in place from European countries and others from the word go? Surely it was the obvious thing to do from Feb 2022? I hope now the international community is now leaving nothing else in the tank for this approach.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cd...
loading . . .
Putin calls for 'direct talks' with Ukraine as European leaders demand ceasefire
Kyiv is yet to respond to Putin's invitation for talks on 15 May, as the coalition of the willing urge Moscow to comply with a ceasefire from Monday.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cdxkl8wwgljt?post=asset%3A51c55496-8fff-413e-810f-a5a5d7bf1b5f#post
about 1 year ago
0
0
0
reposted by
Rob Hardcastle
Education Endowment Foundation
about 1 year ago
🔢 “Promoting fluency is important, because it helps children to remember numbers and sequences. This is knowledge they can use to build up further learning in maths, like adding and subtracting, or sharing and grouping objects.” (1/2)
1
6
3
reposted by
Rob Hardcastle
superhackers
about 1 year ago
China has officially entered the era of “flying taxis”. Two Chinese companies have obtained the commercial operation certificate for autonomous passenger drones from CAAC.
loading . . .
58
424
122
Looking forward to this. Steve Rollett up first.
@cstvoice.bsky.social
about 1 year ago
0
1
0
Couldn't agree more!
about 1 year ago
0
0
0
reposted by
Rob Hardcastle
Emma Turner FCCT
over 1 year ago
My latest blog around why primary CPD needs experienced primary voices.
thinkingflexibly.com/2025/03/24/w...
loading . . .
Why primary CPD needs primary expertise – avoiding “Secondary Lite”
Primary and avoiding “Secondary Lite” CPD. I led a session last week where the schools in attendance were focusing on primary pedagogy and the need for specific approaches across the developmental …
https://thinkingflexibly.com/2025/03/24/why-primary-cpd-needs-primary-expertise-avoiding-secondary-lite/
2
13
9
Excuse the one piece of bad language but I think this comedian has it pretty spot in! 🤣
www.facebook.com/share/r/1BgB...
loading . . .
Redirecting...
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BgBn8pJ2n/?mibextid=wwXIfr
over 1 year ago
0
0
0
BBC News -
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c0...
Women in Afghanistan: Spend a day with those living under Taliban rule - BBC News This remains an international tragedy. A generation of girls and women unable to enjoy even the most basic of freedom and rights!
loading . . .
Women in Afghanistan: Spend a day with those living under Taliban rule
The BBC is spending the day with women across Afghanistan to understand what their lives look like under the Taliban government.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c0l16424w1pt
over 1 year ago
0
0
0
Amber nectar on Thirsty Thursday!
over 1 year ago
0
0
0
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Very funny and clever from Armando and Helen. The problem though is they are still not taking Trump seriously. Will it be as amusing when he upends democracy in the USA and grants himself a 3rd term or begins to override Congress or the judiciary?
@aiannucci.bsky.social
loading . . .
Strong Message Here - Trump Derangement Syndrome - BBC Sounds
Armando Iannucci and Helen Lewis identify the symptoms of Trump Derangement Syndrome.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0027d6w?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile
over 1 year ago
2
0
0
foreignpolicy.com/2025/02/18/e...
Why can't Europe stop talking and start acting? Follow the advice given here. It's the only way to secure its security long term. For many many years, Europe has been located precariously close to malign regimes and history tells us how this can end.
loading . . .
How Europe Can Defend Itself
Here are 10 steps European leaders can take now to bolster the continent’s defenses without U.S. help.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/02/18/europe-defense-ukraine-trump-vance-munich/?utm_content=gifting&tpcc=gifting_article&gifting_article=ZXVyb3BlLWRlZmVuc2UtdWtyYWluZS10cnVtcC12YW5jZS1tdW5pY2g=&pid=OC20506955
over 1 year ago
0
1
0
John Jerrim and Christian Bokhove's article for schools week is right. Ofsted should set out what they consider to be an adequate level of reliability for each of the criteria in their framework – particularly for those that are high-stakes. It should commit to an independent and transparent 1/2
over 1 year ago
1
0
0
Given the coloured category implications of the inspection toolkit proposal, we are going back to a fundamental misunderstanding of pupil performance starting points.
over 1 year ago
1
0
0
So does the curriculum now sit at the heart of Ofsted's inspection framework or not? It was very very certain of it's research based claim this was the right thing to do in2019/2020. Not so much anymore? If not, why not?
over 1 year ago
1
0
0
Adults ensuring there is a wait time to secure a verbal response is key for children of all ages but especially those who are very young. Great thread.
add a skeleton here at some point
over 1 year ago
0
0
0
Welcome back to the hard reality of governing! BBC News - Warning signs for Trump as Republican rebels defiant
www.bbc.com/news/article...
loading . . .
Warning signs for Trump as Republican rebels defiant
Trump has shown he can kill legislation, but can he rally the support to get his proposals over the finish line?
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3e3p3nx3kno
over 1 year ago
0
0
0
Load more
feeds!
log in