What a great thread. I remember someone once asking me when I came out. “Every time I meet someone new,” was my answer. I’m still in the habit of not looking at someone when I first mention my wife, to give them a moment for their face to react if they need it, and never knowing how they’ll be.

It’s so important for young people just working out who they are to know that they are safe in the world 🤩

Sundays are for us ❤️

New blog: Co-Regulation – Staying Calm to Help Them Stay Calm Why logic doesn’t work with dysregulated kids, and what does. For school staff & parents. Read it here: bluesquidlearning.com/co-regulatio... #coRegulation #SchoolAnxiety #YoungPeopleMatter #MentalHealthMatters #thisisAP

Some families cycle; some families hike. We love the river. We’ve lived (literally) on the Great Ouse for almost six years in our floating home and this summer we get to go further afield in this beauty 🛥️ ❤️

This holiday, we bought a new boat and have been out on the river almost every day. What a great way to get several days of meaningful rest 🛥️

I wasn’t going to say anything. Who am I to voice an opinion? But then I realised that if I don’t, I’m part of the problem. Yesterday’s ruling - and the disgusting celebration of other people’s oppression - was morally wrong and a worrying indication of the way we’re going. Where’s the humanity?

The holidays are for finding the joy in the everyday ❤️ 🛥️

All of this! ❤️

School doesn’t have to be desks, bells, and stress. What if learning looked different? For young people struggling with school anxiety, the ‘traditional’ way isn’t always their way. And that’s okay. 💙 There’s more than one way to thrive. #Education #SchoolAnxiety #AlternativeProvision #thisisAP

For young people with EBSNA, unpredictability can fuel anxiety. A predictable school day builds trust, reduces stress, and supports engagement. Read our latest blog to discover how routine - without rigidity - can help. #EBSNA #EBSA #SchoolAnxiety #thisisAP #youngpeoplematter #mentalhealthmatters

Alternative education isn’t a last resort - it’s a proactive, future-focused choice. At Blue Squid, we see young people with EBSNA thrive in the right environment. Read our latest blog challenging misconceptions about non-traditional schools. 👇 #thisisAP #youngpeoplematter #mentalhealthmatters

School doesn’t have to feel like a roller-coaster ride! 🎢 At Blue Squid, we focus on calm vibes, fresh air, and steady progress. 🌿 Think of us as your child’s anxiety-free zone. Ready to explore? Let’s chat! #thisisAP #Cambridgeshire #mentalhealthmatters #youngpeoplematter

Here's the #OCRMathspuzzle for this week! Have a great weekend! :) The below number properties apply to five consecutive numbers. What are the five numbers? #maths #teacher #puzzle #resource #number #numberproperties #MathsToday #ITeachMath #UKMathsChat

Children really are the best 🤩 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Calmer classrooms and smarter learning? 🌟 Discover how emotional literacy transforms chaos into focus, unlocking better outcomes for students. #thisisAP #mentalhealthmatters #youngpeoplematter #emotionalliteracy bluesquidlearning.com/from-chaos-t...

We know that progress isn’t always a straight line, sometimes it’s more of a funky dance. 🕺 At Blue Squid, we celebrate the little wins: a smile, a question, or trying something new. 💙 Let’s help your child find their groove again. #BlueSquidCambridgeshire #thisisAP #mentalhealthmatters

Flexibility in education isn’t optional - it’s essential. Discover how alternative provisions like Blue Squid are transforming lives by meeting young people where they are. Read our latest blog and see how thinking differently changes everything. #thisisAP #youngpeoplematter #mentalhealthmatters

Worth reading if you’re a DSL

Really felt we were back in the flow today! We seemed to get the right balance between self-regulation time and work time for each learner and the morning flew by! Today, we started another great Literacy Shed unit 🏠 #thisisAP #youngpeoplematter #mentalhealthmatters

Today’s lesson? Never underestimate the power of being wrapped in a blanket and snuggled up on the sofa with a dog if you’re struggling to self-regulate. Betty the schnoodle is the most wonderful part of our wellbeing strategy ❤️ #thisisAP #mentalhealthmatters #youngpeoplematter

Today I was reminded how hard the transition in and out of the school holidays can be for some young people. Patience, teamwork, communication and flexibility was the order of the day 👍 #thisisAP #mentalhealthmatters #youngpeoplematter

Great to be back at our alternative provision today. Kids and staff all re-energised after the break. We caught up and started to get back in the routine of things #thisisAP #maths #spelling #alternativeprovision

Some students aren’t skipping school, they’re overwhelmed by it. As educators, how do we spot the signs of Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) early? And what strategies actually help students feel safe enough to re-engage with learning? 1/2

A great blog - every child deserves to be able to enjoy their learning & be happy at school. The key is relationships to quote- “Worst of all they didn’t know him. They never knew his dreams, his passion. They didn’t see him. They saw a target and a grade, no one talked to him about his ambitions.”

OK. I've read it. Twice. As ever with Russ, the gasps and guffaws come in equal measure and at breakneck speed. Superb and just like his books, hilariously unmissable.

Two years after its felling, the Sycamore Gap tree lives on through 49 saplings donated to causes around the country as 'Trees of Hope'. Here's where they'll be sprouting up 🌳

I love this map of places where sycamore gap tree saplings will be planted. They include the Rob Burrow Centre for MND and a plot in memory of a 15 year old girl killed by her ex-boyfriend. They stretch from the Orkneys to Cornwall. By @nationaltrust.bsky.social

Being a SENDCo is one hell of a struggle at the moment. Paperwork is out of control. Funding is non-existent. Constantly feeling that our children deserve better - I'm doing all I can and it's not enough. I've never known things to be so difficult. Year 29 of teaching is really testing me.

This term, we’ve been talking a lot about getting back up when things get tough, and this morning’s trip to a dry ski slope was a great time to practise this! Everyone had at least a few turns down the small slope and one lad was so enthusiastic, he definitely got his money’s worth! #ThisisAP

Last day of term for us today - no more than 6 weeks at a time. Guess what we’re doing today? We’re off to the dry ski slope! ⛷️ Wish us luck 🤞 #thisisAP

At some point in the next two or three weeks, you're going to need a child/family friendly Christmas Quiz for a class party or family get together. I made this one a few years ago - people tell me it works from Yr 4 right up to adults. mrefinch.wordpress.com/2020/12/06/the-great-christmas-quiz/

The key to re-engaging young people experiencing EBSA? Patience, empathy and collaboration 🤩

How cute are these? Christmas crafts are in full swing this week at Blue Squid! @bluesquidlearning.bsky.social #thisisAP

This morning, we visited our local craft shop to buy wool, then enjoyed a craft activity at Blue Squid Learning. The plan? Pom-Pom Santas. The outcome? Something far more delightful. …cont. 🧵

Recognising when a student needs to stop and self-regulate is key to their success 👍

Reposting with alt text!

🎄 A Christmas Miracle at Blue Squid! 🎄 We’ll admit it – we’d been (just a little bit!) dreading putting up the Christmas tree this year.

Getting ready for tomorrow 🤩 Our learners often have dyslexia or dyslexic traits, so we know the value of a multi-sensory approach. Here’s tomorrow’s spelling board - one of the many practical activities that will be available to practise spelling. Plus, we’re putting up the tree tomorrow! 🎄

Job Centres also need to understand how to find jobs for people with disabilities. I have a relative who would love to work, but the Job Centre couldn’t seem to get their heads around what they could/couldn’t do with their epilepsy. They kept sending driving and shift work jobs: really frustrating!

GIVEAWAY ⭐️ A free OFQUAL Level 2 Youth Mental Health Qualification day. The day offers 16 places to students Year 9 and over. Hosted at your school and running from 9am-2.45pm. Day to be agreed with you. To enter please like and retweet this post by Thursday 28th November at 8pm.

Doesn’t get much recognition, but there is now a Youth Mental Health Qualification certified by OFQUAL, from Year 9 onwards. Only requires 6 hours participation. This is something I am proud to be involved in. For more information, please email [email protected]

AP places available now for KS3 & KS4 pupils experiencing EBSA in Cambridgeshire! Blue Squid's new alternative provision has places available now: an ideal provision for young people experiencing emotionally-based school avoidance (EBSA). Oh, and sometimes this bundle of fur joins us!

This! I was also a school refuser who looked like a well-behaved and quiet child. There are lots of kids in every school who look on the outside like they’re fine but on the inside they’re building layer upon layer of school-based trauma. School has to be a safe space for everyone ❤️

@newtosltchat.bsky.social I hope you don’t mind me popping in just to tell you about Listening Ear. Completely free & confidential. A chance to chat to an experienced retired school leader about whatever is keeping you awake at night. I’d love you to follow me & message me for a chat

I like that there is a professor of public understanding of mathematics. Hannah Fry announced as Professor of the Public Understanding of Mathematics www.maths.cam.ac.uk/features/han...

Whatever the truth is about Ofsted plans, and whatever the rights and wrongs are of what they should be measuring, why is this planning coming ahead of curriculum and assessment review? It seems so odd for Ofsted to decide what to measure ahead of government deciding what the curriculum should be.

If you're an educator preparing your toolkit for the year ahead, can I humbly recommend our Little Guide to Wellbeing and Self-Care? Adrian Bethune and I offer research-based, practical ideas and channel our belief that school staff deserve to thrive AND survive. #teacherwellbeingselfcare

The view from my sofa tonight. So good for the soul ❤️ #mentalhealthmatters

This is my AP. Our priority is creating a calm, purposeful, caring and therapeutic learning environment for those who just can’t attend a mainstream school. I’m so proud of what we’ve created. We have amazing staff and the best learners 🤩