March (delayed)

Abolish Ofsted. www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...

Poem for this week’s @thetoypress.bsky.social prompt

Poem

Representation matters.

Books read in February.

schoolsweek.co.uk/job-cuts-loo... Here’s what my Trust have been up to…

A poem for Valentine’s Day

New: Catholic academy chain nearly £10 million in the red, as accounts reveal it also broke government financial transaction rules educationuncovered.co.uk/news/catholi...

Announcing the longlist for the #Carnegies2026 Medal for Illustration!🏅🎨 Featuring lively colours and immersive mediums, these 19 works beautifully portray themes of identity, relationships, nature, and life’s journey. 📚🌟 https://carnegies.co.uk/2026-longlists-announced/#Carnegies2026

Oh God.

If you see this, give it a share? I’m over here now from X. For very good reason, but I do miss the engagement I had over there.. #BookSky #EduSky

Books read in 2026 1. Impossible Creatures: The Poisoned King Katherine Rundell More fantastic world-building as Anya meets Christopher in an effort to overturn malicious intent. Not quite as powerful as book one, but a great read nonetheless.

Exciting.

November’s reading.

Without doubt, one of my favourite books of the year. A celebration of human history and endeavour, a call to acknowledge and respect our forebears. Visually stunning.

Good morning #poemsabout crew, here’s a poem about someone wanting something for the #desire prompt @alanparrywriter.co.uk

Late poem for @thetoypress.bsky.social prompt, written from the experience of putting little ones to bed on Bonfire Night.

October.

Amazon is helping fund a $300 million build of a ballroom for the White House. Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity. They are not the same.

Poem for @thetoypress.bsky.social’s word of the week.

Really sorry to hear the news of Knights Of - publisher that has championed marginalised voices and put out some amazing books.

Fireworks by Matthew Burgess & Catia Chien is delicious. It’s all about the joy and excitement fireworks bring - this is mainly about Independence Day, but can easily be applied to other celebrations and festivals. A lovely lyrical style, beautifully illustrated. One for @smithsmm.bsky.social

'Fishing Otter' linocut and silkscreen print by Angela Harding, contemporary artist based in the UK #WomensArt

October's #lucky13th is Roar - an empowering novel-in-verse of resistance and finding your voice, inspired by Sampat Pal and the Pink Sari Gang, from the multi-award-winning author of Run, Rebel and The Crossing, Manjeet Mann. #uklamembers RT to win a copy! #ThisIsHowIRoar

Love this new book by Joanna Ho, Caroline Kusin Pritchard and Dan Santat. A celebration of reading both as an individual pursuit, as well as respecting the rights of the reader and reading community.

Júlia Sardà is a genius.

Some wonderful books to review for Shelf here - very lucky and very happy!

Listening to Pie Corbett talk to Nikki Gamble @justimaginecentre.bsky.social lamenting the ‘knowledge-rich’ curriculum and its impact on the imagination of our children. Fully agree - poetry can unlock this in so many ways #NationalPoetryDay #NPD2025

September.

This is my Lokifesto #KidsConf #UKkidlit #edusky lokibooks.com/lokifesto/

Your 2026 UKLA Book Awards Longlists are here - the only national children’s book awards judged by teachers! This year they feature books in translation, past winners, exciting debuts and a huge range of genres and themes. Click here to see the full Longlists: ukla.org/ukla-book-aw...

Love a map. Hate misspellings of place names 😭 @vocabularyninja.bsky.social @lockwoodcm.bsky.social

What utter dickheads we are… Rayner fought for workers: sick pay, maternity rights, protection from unfair dismissal Farage and his MPs voted it down Rayner gets binned over £40k in stamp duty Farage dodges £44k, shrugs & strolls on The mega wealthy win again.

The Wolf is an amazing book from Australia that still leaves me with questions. The others all come from the fantastic Book Island website. Gorgeous translated books, superbly illustrated.

Nigel Farage looks uncomfortable as Jamie Raskin uses his opening statement to absolutely demolish him

August’s reading.

I really loved this book of bug-themed poetry, perfect for KS1. justimagine.co.uk/childrens-bo...

A pleasure to be a part of the UKLA’s longlisting group this morning. There are so many wonderful titles to choose from! Nice to chat with @samcreighton.bsky.social @lockwoodcm.bsky.social @joyisreading.bsky.social too.

Last share for this before the new term. A weekly picturebook assembly overview which focuses on empathy and inclusion. It's still evolving but please feel free to download and adapt. All shares appreciated. The link is on my Padlet: padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r...

This is such a good reference for assemblies, for key dates throughout the year, and more importantly, excellent books.

Katherine Rundell on why every school needs a library AND a librarian www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Marshall Drive Parkrun today. Small, tough and very friendly event. Kind of regret running there as a warm-up (2 miles uphill).

Absolutely loved visiting The Little Fox bookshop in Whitby today. What a beautiful set up and a cracking selection of books too.

Camped in a field, drinking a lukewarm beer under glorious sunshine, reading the finest poems by the finest poet. If you know @holliemcnish.bsky.social ’s work, then this is more of the same: honest, moving, funny and thought-provoking. If you don’t know Hollie’s work, why not? Get this!

A bumper July.

Silly one for #PoemsAbout. Been a while - hope to make the time again. @alanparrywriter.co.uk Eventually, she admitted, with a long, drawn out sigh We star-crossed lovers would never see eye to eye, In my heart I conceded; I knew that it was true She was six foot eight and I five foot two