End of the year musings… ruthswailes.com/should-old-a...

An inspiration to many, she will be missed but what a legacy she leaves us all.

The winter flu has caught up with me. I’m self medicating with Rumbullion and my 5th book of the week, under the mardy blanket, so it’s not all bad. Determined to shake it off in time for the NYE party!

A lovely sunny day today

£5 for this seems like an absolute bargain. Written by Ruth who has loads of experience and always makes total sense.

This is the audit tool to support schools to think about their current provision in N/ YR/Y1. I’m going to run further training online next term, as I’m now fully booked for face to face work until September.

“Really useful in helping us understand the new framework, without being influenced by scaremongering interpretations, giving us practical strategies to support children’s writing with confidence.” I’ll take that! www.lulu.com/shop/ruth-sw...

Lovely feedback from part 2 of my writing course. If you’d like a copy of the audit tool for Nursery, Reception and Year 1, aligning with the writing framework, the NC and the EYFS, click the link t.co/NRxIel5b88

If you've downloaded this, please do give me feedback when you've used it. I'm always looking to improve on my work.

What an awesome week it's been, working with >1000 teachers all over the world! We've talked about phonics, reading, writing, executive function, curiosity, physical development and nurture, and I've been making plans for 2027. Looking forward to a walk in the Peaks with friends tomorrow.

Some lovely feedback from one of yesterday's online sessions for OUP.

A few people have asked about the audit tool I've developed, aligned to the DFE writing framework. I've made it available here: www.lulu.com/shop/ruth-swailes/integrated-early-writing-talk-and-physical-development-audit-tool/ebook/product-v8qn2z9.html?q=integrated+early+writing&page=1&pageSize=4

Just totted up, I've led training with over 1,000 teachers this week.

Up early to lead international training today for Oxford UniversityPress. 2 sessions on Nurturing curiosity in 2-3 year olds for teachers all over the world using our early years curriculum. What a pleasure! Then it’s a twilight session with teachers from Kirklees . I ❤️ my work!

What a day we had! Lots of moving, talking, thinking and learning together. Day 2/6 Developing Early Writing. Day 3 in January. I love working with this group.

HT appraisal this morning, writing training this afternoon. How’s your day looking?

Still some feedback to come in, but the responses from today’s training so far have been extremely positive!

Waiting at the airport now, after an amazing week in Jersey. Lovely people, lovely place, thought- provoking conversations. I can’t wait to come back in March !

It’s always good to get feedback as it helps me shape my future work. This is from part one of a two part online early writing course. It looks like I’m on the “write lines”

Good morning Jersey, off we go!

Well, I think it’s fair to say we’re chuffed with this line up!

Nice view from my room

Lovely feedback …

Preparing for the week ahead, I’m excited to be leading the first 3 of 7 training sessions this year in Jersey focussing on “Getting it right from the start” . I fly tomorrow morning!

Gosh. What a shock. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

The exceptionalism, the arrogance, in that core 4-6 week period was unreal. Rest in peace to all our colleagues, our friends, who died during that period. I will never forget you.

Having Johnson & Cummings in Downing Street when Covid struck was, just like Brexit, an entirely avoidable disaster caused largely by utterly appalling journalism. And now exactly the same clowns, arses & bigots with bylines are rolling out the red carpet for Farage. www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...

💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔

😭 gosh. This is a terrible statistic, never let us forget how bad the Tories were.

I've been leading lots training on the development of early writing over the last few years, and I've recently developed this toolkit for delegates. I'm also leading a year long LA Early Years writing project across the Wirral. It’s been a pleasure so far!

Storm defences near my house have done their job. I know my MP has worked tirelessly to make things happen to minimise flood damage. We’re all grateful.

This is going to be brilliant!

This will be great for early years! From @helenjwc.bsky.social.

All I can hear is the sound of water running down the hill and I’ve never been more thankful that I live near the top of it!

Friday! It’s been a busy week. A bespoke training day for a Trust on meeting the needs of 2-3s today, the last of 5 training sessions of the week. I’ve also carried out 2 full day early years reviews and a full day full school review. I love the variety of my work.

A joy and a pleasure to visit and work with a school today that puts play at the heart of learning from N to year 2, and consistently achieves outcomes that put them in the top 10% of schools nationally. I’ve been working with them for almost a decade now and what a privilege it’s been!

The first of three training sessions today. Two at Learn Sheffield, then a bespoke twilight for a Sheffield school.

It’s always good to get feedback, especially when it’s like this!

We’re absolutely delighted that our book has been nominated for ECSDN publication of the year award!

I’m in Coventry leading the Early years network for Gateway learning today .

I think it's just that most of the loudest voices are secondary tbh. They're misunderstanding the problems around discontent if they think more tests and triple science solves it.

Everything that emanates from the DfE is Secondary focused, they seem unaware that Primary is different and when it comes to under-fives they are absolutely clueless. Don’t even seem to know that working in a nursery class or maintained nursery requires QTS same as Primary.

Yes. The loudest voices are speaking entirely from a secondary perspective. If Becky Francis had listened at all to the discussion around ks1 Sats and testing young children she certainly wouldn’t be recommending more teachers use the non-statutory ks1 tests. Moreover they are not diagnostic!

Picked this up at the station today.

Oh, look at this - the letting agents apologise for NOT applying for the rental license & say Rachel Reeves would have been under the impression the license HAD been applied for. Can we have the apologies now from everyone who have been absolutely obnoxious today in their handling of the story?

I’m so rock n roll. In bed before 8pm ! A 5 hour drive today after a flight that landed around midnight last night has sapped my energy a little!

Looking forward to heading back to my old stomping ground in Kent later today. It’s always great to be invited to work with people I’ve worked with in the past. I haven’t been to the schools I’m visiting tomorrow since before covid. Looking forward to catching up!

Well, over on Twitter it’s very obviously half term for most people and nuance has gone right out of the window.

Another tough day at the office !

Morning !