🚨 GCSE resits aren’t the problem. Not holding GCSEs is. There’s a lot of concern in the news about GCSE resits today. What’s missing is concern for the young people who don’t secure passes in English and maths, and what that means for their futures. Here’s the reality 🧵

So many of our students love jigsaw puzzles but we need to keep building our library, so thanks to Ms Moore for thinking of us! 🧩🧩 #thisisAP

We love a challenge! Thank you Ms Thompson! #thisisAP

‘Grit’ is often held up as the kind of resilience schools should be building – but the message to push on through, no matter what, can be damaging for some pupils, warns senior leader Charlotte MacDougall

Changing behaviour is just difficult to do and the idea that a system alone can do the work, rather than it being a tricky mix of systems, relationships, support and flexibility, has imo done damage to the way we think about behaviour. It has to be about more than compliance if we want change. 3/3

Another 1000 piece puzzle completed ✔️ The curved sections were a challenge! #thisisAP

'With a single swipe, the complex needs of an entire school community were disregarded — replaced by the illusion of headline savings on a morbid spreadsheet.' A must-read piece from a headteacher on the heartbreaking reality of school budget cuts 👇 schoolsweek.co.uk/labours-fund...

I’ve responded to OFSTED’s inspection framework consultation on behalf of PRUsAP. AP deserves a framework that values context, complexity, & relational work, not just outcomes. We’ve offered a constructive response that reflects the strength & diversity of our sector. #thisisAP

Our amazing AP is growing and looking for additional staff - come and join us.

The Cultural Learning Alliance's 2025 Report Card is out. It notes "a long-term dismantling of the infrastructure that supports young people to benefit from Arts and culture – with the most marginalised bearing the brunt of a decline": www.culturallearningalliance.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Whose line is it anyway?! Teachers'/leaders' perspectives on non-linear career progression.... www.researchtoclassroom.com/post/whose-l...

My latest blog around why primary CPD needs experienced primary voices. thinkingflexibly.com/2025/03/24/w...

This is an important thread...

Exclusive: School leaders are turning away SEND pupils and the practice ‘needs calling out’, the ASCL union head has said Bosses must adopt ‘ethical’ approaches and become ‘models for the next generation’ buff.ly/rF3YG5U

A lovely afternoon of escapism @southbankcentre.bsky.social listening to the wonderful @philharmonialondon.bsky.social has set me up nicely for the week.

SEND is not a diagnosis and I am not sure why we are conflating diagnosis with Special Educational Needs. You may have a diagnosis of x/y/z and not have SEND, and vice versa. Or you might have a diagnosis and SEND.

Sometimes, all it takes is the right environment and the right support to spark a transformation. At Blue Squid, we’ve seen young people go from avoiding school entirely to feeling excited about their future. 💙 Could we help your child too? #thisisAP #youngpeoplematter #mentalhealthmatters

A busy week - getting back into routines, welcoming new students, Pupil Pathway Reviews, and yet another 1000+ jigsaw completed. Truly the best job in the world #thisisAP

Last week I wrote about the amazing buzz of working in alternative provision; this week we are seeking an additional learning coach to join the team. Apply here: www.wmjobs.co.uk/job/220205/l...

Always find it refreshing to spend time working with colleagues from a variety of services across the LA as we move towards a common approach to support young people and their families who are navigating EBSA and school-based trauma #thisisAP

The first week back after a holiday is often tricky, but our wonderful young people have risen to the challenge. We have seen some significant personal achievements while also welcoming some new students who have already made their mark. Looking forward to the rest of the term! #thisisAP

Thoughtful piece from our co-chair @keziah70.bsky.social in @schoolsweek.bsky.social on the value of time spent in #AP “in mainstream education, there’s a lot to learn from AP about how to adapt”. Building on a sector wide perspective and collaborative approaches to young people’s needs.

A gentle reminder that many colleagues and pupils may not have had a lovely Christmas. It might have been awful. They may be very happy to be back where it feels safe, or where there's routine, or where there's company. They may be dreading the question 'what did you do then' or 'what did you get?'.

So much fun working as a team to solve this year’s GCHQ Christmas Challenge. Great to see different strengths and skills being appreciated and celebrated by all our young people. A fantastic day! #thisisAP

A productive week - core learning, support from Y12 volunteers, seasonal craft activities, Pupil Pathway reviews and visits from prospective students. This morning, LinkedIn suggested I might like to be a speech writer in the Ministry of Justice. Nope, I'm happy where I am! #thisisAP

We were all busy at lunchtime! #thisisAP

It was good to have some time today to reflect on the week and plan for the rest of term. We also continued to establish links with other local schools so that we can work together to support young people. Now it's time to spend the weekend doing something completely different! #thisisAP

Mainstream lessons, maths assessment, superb creative writing, times tables games, magnetic mindfulness, model-building, discussing relationships, consistent attendance, and, obviously our latest jigsaw - a whirlwind of achievements to celebrate #thisisAP

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned from working with children experiencing EBSA, and also with the adults and schools supporting them, it’s this: they’re not ‘refusing’ education, they’re overwhelmed by it.” www.bps.org.uk/psychologist...

This was a very successful mainstream day for one of our students. Drawing graphs, writing a newspaper article and consolidating multiplication facts completed the day for the rest of us, not forgetting a little bit more Tango Game Unlimited 🤫 #thisisAP

Well, we discovered Tango Game Sun and Moon today, which was an immediate hit! Also Macbeth, angles on a straight line, causes of WW2 and a new 1000 piece jigsaw #thisisAP

Building relationships with students has to go hand in hand with establishing trusted connections with families/carers, many of whom have struggled to feel heard. Today shone a light on this. Difficult conversations often lead to positive outcomes 🤞 #thisisAP

Rugby on the television, lasagne in the oven and red wine in the glass make a welcome escape from the winds outside.

Voting ends at midnight tonight! Please give us your final Vote! ❌ The Footage Detectives (Best Factual Show) and Talking Pictures TV (Favourite Channel) are in the finals of the TV Choice Awards! Vote here https://buff.ly/40NRs5p Thank You!❤️

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.

A productive day - planning and collaborating with colleagues, liaising with some wonderful Y12s, who are volunteering to support our students as part of their enrichment programme, and looking ahead to Pupil Pathway reviews #thisisAP

A chilly day and a few sniffles going round but assessments completed, key skills practised, Monopoly won (not by me), new glasses admired, 1000 piece jigsaw finally conquered and a beautiful sunset #thisisAP

A few bumps along the road today - some days are just like that! However, really proud of the young people who managed to regulate and reset after difficult moments. There was still plenty of laughter! #thisisAP

Discussions about relationships today and planning reintegration timetables, as well as some very focused students consolidating core Maths and English skills. Finished the day with an entertaining game of Pictionary to promote collaboration and increase confidence. A success overall! #thisisAP

Positive day today. Some students working through barriers and attending for productive sessions. Lots of fun as well. Lovely to see confidence growing. #thisisAP

My day started to unravel at the point when a colleague noticed that I was wearing odd boots 👢🥾 I'd managed to walk to school without noticing. Hope your Friday was better!

Have you had a chance to read any of my All About SEMH books? Perhaps you want to buy them for your staff team or for your own CPD. If you’ve read them I would love you to write a review as it helps others make a choice on what they spend their money on. #SEND #SEMH #EduSky #UKed