💡'The struggle with writing stamina' Are we addressing issues commonly related to writing stamina? - Limited handwriting fluency - Running dry of ideas - Errors increase in pupils extended writing. - Motivation is low to keep going with a writing task alexquigley.co.uk/the-struggle...

On Monday 20th October, I'm running an online session with the brilliant @joshuaseigal.bsky.social all about raising the profile of poetry in the primary classroom. It will start at 3:45pm and end at 5:00pm. More information here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/i-dont-lik...

‘I want all children in Wales to experience the pleasure of reading, the superpower of writing, to find their own voices as creative change-makers & advocates for a fairer, more sustainable future.’ Nicola Davies, new Children's Laureate Wales 👏 #KidlitUK booksforkeeps.co.uk/nicola-davie...

Exciting to see the @tourofbritain.bsky.social pass the end of my street earlier. #Cycling #TourOfBritain #GeraintThomas

Obesogenic societies make it easy to be overweight. Are we living in a stupidogenic society - one that makes it easy to be stupid? And if so, what can schools do about it? Latest on our Substack substack.nomoremarking.com/p/are-we-liv...

Yes! Learning as the vehicle, personal development as the goal. It's highly likely that this kind of model for qualifications would also help to narrow the disadvantage gap and be far more useful than the existing Welsh Bac. #EduSky #Teachers #Curriculum #Education #CurriculumForWales #GCSEs

Is there a better example than Duolingo of how you can have performance without learning, and how performance can actually impede learning?

These stories are horrendous but we can't pretend this isn't happening. www.instagram.com/reel/DJbKDW9...

Celebrating aspects of the DfE’s Writing Framework: We can finally move on from the book-based approach to writing writing4pleasure.com/2025/07/10/c...

"Calling someone a ‘Karen’ is ‘borderline racist, sexist and ageist’, tribunal says." www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

👋 NEW POST 👋 From critique to action: Seven practical ideas to improve education What would you add to this list? What would you change? drjamesmannion.substack.com/p/from-criti...

I hate pen licences. Not necessary. Not helpful. Schools IMO simply do not take handwriting development (and other FMS) seriously enough. “Think about something like a pen licence, where a child receives a certificate only once their writing is good enough.” www.tes.com/magazine/tea...

Monday #poem #poems #LibrarySky #EduSky #BookSky #poetry #TeacherSky #poetrylovers #PoetrySky #PoetryCommunity #WritingCommunity #teachers #literacy @schoolreadinglist.bsky.social #kidlit @troikabooks.bsky.social @otterbarrybooks.bsky.social

Creating resilient learners means improving: Confidence Connection & Contribution But most of all pupils' Competence! Why? Greater competence improves pupils' confidence, their sense of connection and stems from better contribution to their own learning. Contact us: [email protected]

This has finally arrived! The format looks really inviting and accessible. Looking forward to diving in! @impactwales.bsky.social

New blog! primarytimery.com/2025/05/20/w...

Ooh! This is very good. 'Why wise teachers slow down.' Via @teachertapp.bsky.social emaths.co.uk/blog/general...

My book has finally arrived and I'm giving away 2 copies to 2 lucky people. To win your own "Closing the Disadvantage Gap in Schools: A Visual Workbook" and start making a difference to the vulnerable children in your school, just like & reshare this post before June 1st & I'll pick 2 winners.

Senedd members are set to debate a 13,000-name petition calling for urgent action to save the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal

Children need access to high-quality reading material in schools: books, magazines, comics, etc. So many schools have been unable to buy anything this year due to the ongoing budget crisis. And last year. And the year before. Something has to change because our pupils deserve better.

Teaching assistants need to promote independence, not dependence, writes @alexjquigley.bsky.social – and consistent use of scaffolding strategies is the key

Footwear worn by ten groups…   10. Bakers = loafers 9. Cat burglars = sneakers 8. Politicians = flip-flops 7. Plumbers = clogs (or tap shoes) 6. Doctors = heels 5. Trappers = barefoot 4. Artists = Skechers 3. Train drivers = Jimmy Choos 2. Dog librarians = Hush Puppies 1. Chickens = Reebok-bok-bok

Modelling is one of the most effective strategies to help pupils progress. Here are five steps to help you use it more effectively in your classroom. All of our sketchnote resources are available free to download from our website www.impact.wales just click Impact Plus. 1/2

Children have urged a Welsh council to rethink its library closure plans, telling decision-makers their local site ‘means everything to us’

Vets could face a temporary price cap on the medicines they offer as the regulator investigates concerns that pet owners are being ripped off

Powerpoint and IWBs - time to reclaim analogue teaching. My latest blog. thinkingflexibly.com/2025/04/19/p...

Word of the day is ‘bugiard’ (17th century): one who distorts the truth beyond all recognition to fit their own agenda.

Illuminating and concerning. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

NEW - Read our latest, updated blog on what's happening to school improvement services in Wales. Spoiler alert - it's a chaotic, costly mess... secure.smore.com/n/v......

Pandemic impact (via @‌teachertapp) www.bloomsbury.com/uk/discover/...

This was a great 'taster' session for the book. Such an important subject. Even the way we define and understand disadvantage is crucial. Definitely get your copy of the book ordered! #Disadvantage #ClosingTheGap #Education #CurriculumForWales

#poem from my 12th book, The Shape of Rainbows #poem #poems #LibrarySky #EduSky #BookSky #poetry #TeacherSky #poetrylovers #PoetrySky #PoetryCommunity #WritingCommunity #teachers #literacy @schoolreadinglist.bsky.social #kidlit @otterbarrybooks.bsky.social

J2 Journal (digital portfolio) now available via Hwb for schools in Wales. hwb.gov.wales/news/article...

New @theeef.bsky.social guidance on the ‘Deployment of Teaching Assistants’ has gone live today. Take a look here: educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-ev...

Ban smartphones for UK under-16s, urges Adolescence writer

"Wales’s 20mph speed limit has cut road deaths. Why is there still even a debate?" - really nice to see our motonormativity research being used to explain this. Cheers, @peterwalker99.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...

I really like this free resource by Town End Research School on 'Readers Theatre' - a popular approach to develop reading fluency in the primary school classroom: d10a08pz293654.cloudfront.net/production/d...

New #poem #poem #poems #LibrarySky #EduSky #BookSky #poetry #TeacherSky #poetrylovers #PoetrySky #PoetryCommunity #WritingCommunity #teachers #literacy @schoolreadinglist.bsky.social #kidlit @troikabooks.bsky.social @otterbarrybooks.bsky.social

Two core ideas underpin effective inclusive teaching: 1. Cognitive similarity 2. Instructional sensitivity Let’s dig into both… ↓

The teaching of reading in Wales is once again in the spotlight, and not for a good reason. Here is an example of one Welsh school's effective, evidence-informed practice . #ReadingMatters youtu.be/xrehrSYKSlw?...

This is a great introduction to the science of reading. #ReadingMatters youtube.com/watch?v=AnRA...

Etymology of the day: ‘book’ comes from an ancient root shared by ‘beech’, a wood that people used for engraving inscriptions. ‘Paper’ comes from ‘papyrus’, and ‘volume’ is from the Latin for a ‘roll’ of parchment. Happy World Book Day.

This is such an important consideration when thinking about how learning happens. It's not about being a luddite or a technophobe or being wedded to the past, or not embracing change; it's about recognising that handwriting has a markedly different impact on the brain.

Really thoughtful blog from @redgierob.bsky.social about the importance of including non-fiction as part of the daily reading diet in schools. Definitely worth your time. #edusky blog.edshed.com/reading-non-...

From my latest/12th book 'The Shape of Rainbows': @worldbookdayuk.bsky.social #poem #poems #LibrarySky #EduSky #BookSky #poetry #TeacherSky #poetrylovers #PoetrySky #PoetryCommunity #WritingCommunity #teachers #literacy @schoolreadinglist.bsky.social ky.social #kidlit @otterbarrybooks.bsky.social