As I, and others, predicted there has not been an exodus of pupils from private schools due to VAT on fees, partly because the price point is not a factor in accessing private education. The policy is set to raise *more* than originally forecast. www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

Very much looking forward to the Kilbrandon Lecture by @carlenefirmin.bsky.social in the resplendent Barony Hall this evening

As I, and others, predicted there has not been an exodus of pupils from private schools due to VAT on fees, partly because the price point is not a factor in accessing private education. The policy is set to raise *more* than originally forecast. www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

I have always thought that the value of a Covid inquiry would have been setting out a future framework for how the prioritisation of rights work in an emergency. So many rights violated (many of that necessary which is my point) with so little reflection or those decisions.

Two years ago (time flies!) I wrote about why Labour need to scrap the two child benefit cap - for many reasons - including if we as a society want to meaningfully reduce education inequalities. www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

Two years ago (time flies!) I wrote about why Labour need to scrap the two child benefit cap - for many reasons - including if we as a society want to meaningfully reduce education inequalities. www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

Saturday night kitchen 🐟

‘I had never supported Universal Free School Meals. Then I looked at the evidence.’ barryblack.substack.com/p/i-had-neve...

‘I had never supported Universal Free School Meals. Then I looked at the evidence.’ barryblack.substack.com/p/i-had-neve...

A really engaging day in Edinburgh for my first meeting as a member of the Promise Oversight Board, reflecting on previous reports, looking ahead to measuring progress in the next year, and hearing from the Chief Social Work Adviser. oversightboard.scot

La Mesa in Paisley tonight with the tremendous @mrdissent.bsky.social 🍀

Grilling ☀️

Garden to fork 🍴

It was a privilege to be able to review this book, and even though I am not a teacher, I learned so much from it. Kirsten is a phenomenal writer. Absolutely get involved with the competition to get a freebie, but buy a copy for yourself, friends, and your department as well!

About to watch my niece, with @SkeneSquare, perform at the National Finals of the Glee Challenge at the marvellous Usher Hall. Couldn’t be more proud. 🎉

About to watch my niece, with @SkeneSquare, perform at the National Finals of the Glee Challenge at the marvellous Usher Hall. Couldn’t be more proud. 🎉

A real honour to join the Promise Scotland Oversight Board. I am excited to get started alongside so many esteemed colleagues. An incredible pace of change is needed if we are to improve outcomes for those in care. oversightboard.scot

Delighted that my PhD thesis ‘Chances or Choices: the influences on subject choices under the curriculum for excellence’ has been granted final approval, and I have a nice new title! 🎉 None of it possible without the unwavering support of Profs Keith Kintrea and Catherine Lido

Delighted that my PhD thesis ‘Chances or Choices: the influences on subject choices under the curriculum for excellence’ has been granted final approval, and I have a nice new title! 🎉 None of it possible without the unwavering support of Profs Keith Kintrea and Catherine Lido

A perverse unintended, yet all too predictable, consequence of an obsession with improving the data while at school without a laser focus on improving outcomes which remain a national shame. www.tes.com/magazine/new...

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This summer on Substack, I’ll be sharing findings from my PhD on how school subject choices are shaped by social background, aspirations, and curriculum structure. Subscribe and share with anyone interested in education: barryb.uk

Sunday morning coming down ☀️😎

It was great to have @barryblackne.bsky.social as one of the first guests on the Talking Scottish Education podcast with @dnleslie.bsky.social #TalkScotEd It will be good to find out more about Barry's PhD findings and what influences pupil subject choices on his Substack.

This summer on Substack, I’ll be sharing findings from my PhD on how school subject choices are shaped by social background, aspirations, and curriculum structure. Subscribe and share with anyone interested in education: barryb.uk

Real pleasure to be at Renfrewshire Council’s Equity Conference discussing ‘No Poverty of Aspiration’ today. 📚

Delis Make Glasgow

The first two episodes of the Talking Scottish Education podcast with me and @dnleslie.bsky.social have been released. The guest so far have been @mrdegsy.bsky.social, @barryblackne.bsky.social and Andy Brown, National Maths Adviser. The usual platforms including podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t....

‘There are three things never satisfied, the grave, your heart, and mine’ Some Brian Fallon inspired ink from Kingzz in Camden 🎨 youtu.be/1kCOnZL7ULs?...

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📻 The politicisation of Scottish education over the last decade has been to the detriment of schools. We have had more prominence and politics around these issues in recent times, but much less actual scrutiny. A clip from ‘Talking Scottish Education’: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

📻 The politicisation of Scottish education over the last decade has been to the detriment of schools. We have had more prominence and politics around these issues in recent times, but much less actual scrutiny. A clip from ‘Talking Scottish Education’: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

A pleasure to go on the new podcast ‘Talking Scottish Education’. Discussing the Education Bill and the policy landscape. Recorded late last year, I said this in my intro. The Dons went on to not win in 17. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

It’s finally here. The first episode of Talking Scottish Education is available on Apple Podcasts now. In it @stuartphysics.bsky.social and I speak with @barryblackne.bsky.social & @mrdegsy.bsky.social

A pleasure to go on the new podcast ‘Talking Scottish Education’. Discussing the Education Bill and the policy landscape. Recorded late last year, I said this in my intro. The Dons went on to not win in 17. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

Sea town ☀️

The sun is out, the coffee is good, my PhD corrections are in, and Craig Finn’s new album is in my ears ☀️ Ain’t this life a pretty little dream 💚❤️

Pomo, Edinburgh 🤤

Happy Mother’s Day to the grandmas, aunties, sisters, and cousins who help make all of our worlds go round. Who knows where we would be without them x

Russell Findlay has spent the last 2 days claiming that 1 in 7 pupils leaves school with no qualifications. It isn't even nearly true. www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/2498...

The Scottish Conservatives want to lower the age of leaving school so that children who are 14 years old are able to join the workforce. That is their ‘curriculum for aspiration’ for young people. Forget broadening horizons, they want to streamline efficiency.

The Scottish Conservatives want to lower the age of leaving school so that children who are 14 years old are able to join the workforce. That is their ‘curriculum for aspiration’ for young people. Forget broadening horizons, they want to streamline efficiency.

☀️ The opening act of spring

1351 people left school last year with no qualifications at all (Nat3 and above). The highest number since 2009. 2.4% on all schools leavers. We know that the will disproportionately come from more deprived areas, have care experience, or additional support needs.

1351 people left school last year with no qualifications at all (Nat3 and above). The highest number since 2009. 2.4% on all schools leavers. We know that the will disproportionately come from more deprived areas, have care experience, or additional support needs.

First outing for these today 🐑

This is no surprise. As I have continuously argued, the price point of private education is not a key consideration for its purchase. Experience, opportunities, and networks are. ‘Children not leaving Edinburgh private schools amid VAT hike’ www.heraldscotland.com/news/2494254...

Tremendous evening exploring the sights of Paisley 🐑🍀

This is no surprise. As I have continuously argued, the price point of private education is not a key consideration for its purchase. Experience, opportunities, and networks are. ‘Children not leaving Edinburgh private schools amid VAT hike’ www.heraldscotland.com/news/2494254...