Trying to get back to what really matters to me - my subject. And so I've written a few thoughts about one of my favourite quotations from one of my favourite plays! englishdramarss.wordpress.com/2024/10/26/i...

#EduSky Don't suppose anyone I know on here is at OCR's 11-16 review launch in Westminster this evening. I mean, I'll have a book with me so I'll be fine but it would be fab to know if anyone else is going or if it will be me, Charles Clarke and a bunch of journos?

50 lengths today. Had a little asthma issue earlier today so only 30 lengths alternating breast/backstroke and then on to back stroke for the remaining 20 which I'm much more efficient on.

Yes, generative AI is here and can't be ignored. No, that doesn't mean I have to "embrace" my students and myself using LLMs to think and write for us. #academicsky #edusky

There's a second copy of my Little Guide for Teachers to using Student Data to give away - I'll also randomly pick someone who reposts either this or the embedded post by 9am next Friday (30/8/24) 😏 #MoreShamelessSelfPromotion #EduSky #UKEDU #UKEducation #HeadteachersUK #TeacherEducation

Not a Friday Five but a starting point for how the heck do I decide which songs for my Desert Island Discs at school. The theme for this possible selection is: the set from that time I played my Hall Summer Ball (2001) - lead vocals and rhythm guitar in case you wanted to know:

So, results day was good. We'd targeted maintaining Language improvements and improving literature. We managed both. Some stand out individual stories but as ever I'm now deep into doing the quality assurance for the board. The quality of marking loses us A Level students every year.

Today we've made some sensory bottles. The one mixing oil and water is my favourite. It took us a while (and by us I mean the 6 and 8 year old) to follow the instructions about amounts properly otherwise the dark green one would have been ace!

Just over 2 years ago this book wot I wrote was published. It was something close to my heart, drew together aspects of education I'm passionate about (the writer & subject knowledge). Maybe it was a bit self indulgent. I couldn't then talk about it with people who read it. I'd love to discuss now

The 8 year old has spent his Sunday making a PowerPoint about the dinosaurs of Jurassic World. It's not quite finished but it's not bad at all.

Enrichment option English Language AS Level Scheme writing today. Wish me luck and direct me to any excellent English Language Teachers/University Departments out there.

@samgibbs.bsky.social and I would like to speak to BAME teachers who have been in the classroom for 20+ years plus about what has helped them stay in the profession. Please RT and get in touch if you can help

Oldest has a Venus fly trap that lives in the garden. Rather excitingly it has now bloomed. Didn't know they did that!

Just been crafting with the children. I ended up painting an Arsenal fairy for the youngest. I'm not good. But it's not awful.

Thrilled to be working with the edu-legend that is @hugheshaili.bsky.social on a new book on teacher retention - titled ‘Love The One You’re With: Why Teachers Stay and What We Can Learn From Them’. We’re currently interviewing teachers of 20+ years - get in touch if you’d like to be involved!

Merida was my first displacement activity of the day. Next I will clean the kitchen whilst watching soaps

What is everyone else doing to distract themselves from A Level results tomorrow. I'm going to be hopping on the Peloton, cross stitching and watching Dexter.

Are there any IGCSE Edexcel teachers or IB teachers on here?

I think getting the right feeds set up will be the absolute gamechanger on here. I don't think we have enough people for #CatholicRE yet @jenknight-re.bsky.social ? But I think #CatholicEd might be useful? Any others working in Catholic schools on here yet?

The morning after the swim before. When I said first serious swim in decades I wasn't joking. My arms are currently reminding that there are some muscles there and they haven't worked in that way for a long time! Long story short: ouchy arms!

It was lovely to be reminded this evening that I actually enjoy swimming and I'm reasonable at it. Don't get me wrong I was never get up at 5am for training before school good and I never could get my probably neurodiverse body to grasp butterfly stroke but I was more than good enough to keep fit.

First time swimming lengths with no interruptions for about 25 years. My breast stroke was NOT efficient. My arms will hurt tomorrow but a good hurt. Weekly from no one. What else do I have to do on a Tuesday evening. A not v impressive 550 metres in the 30 min slot tonight. But it's a start.

Oldest went to a science show with Granny and did an experiment. Behold his serious science face.

Yup.

The unsettled pre-results feeling has settled upon me. And I'm too hot. Fortunately my mum has arranged a weekly private pool booking on Tuesday evenings and tonight is our first jaunt out. Trying to find some balance before the analysis begins!

Learning a modern language vs an ancient language

So over on here now too. Partly because this seems to be where all my favourite political commentators (and sports stats geeks) have come to hang out. Seems very civilised.