Andrew McCallum
@andrewemc.bsky.social
Director of English + Media Centre; author Creativity + Learning in Secondary English (Routledge); EdD in social distribution of creativity in secondary English; reader
‘the fall in teenagers opting for literature is linked to an unimaginative GCSE (surely something that a new prime minister with an English degree could fix)’ Easy win here, Mr Burnham! www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on humanities cuts in universities: academic departments are more than cost centres | Editorial
Editorial: Literature, the arts and social sciences must not be sacrificed as higher education funding is squeezed
theguardian.com
All of our autumn courses, all in one place! At the following link you can download a helpful digest of every EMC CPD course taking place in the autumn term, complete with key details and booking information about each one and organised compactly for easy reference! buff.ly/Smj2O16
EMC Autumn Courses sheet 2026
buff.ly
The 1000s of teachers we work with at EMC are not in schools adopting these strange practices but many are. It's important that we push for a system that stops rewarding ways of teaching that, objectively, are not in the best interests of students, nor of English itself
English and Media Centre@engmediacentre.bsky.social · 2w agoWe published this blog earlier this term, written by a teacher shocked at what his MAT is requiring him to do in the name of English. We've since added two comments by teachers in other locations who have been in touch about similar experiences englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/how-a-m...
50% coursework for AL Lit at the time, so plenty of room to choose interesting, contemporary texts. I was blissfully unaware when I chose it that a televised version had caused a media storm
English and Media Centre@engmediacentre.bsky.social · 2w agoTony Harrison's 'V': a poem that changed Andy Burnham's life + coincidentally was the first text EMC director @andrewemc.bsky.social taught to A Level. Not sure where secondary English teaching sits on the new PM's to-do list, but we have a few suggestions! www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Fascinating piece by @iancushing.bsky.social + Sabah Choudrey that challenges the deficit thinking informing lots of current work about oracy www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
An oracy framework for England’s schools: linguistic justice edition
It is September 2028. All schools in England have just started teaching the new national curriculum. As part of this, they are adhering to guidance contained within a new oracy framework, named as ...
tandfonline.com
They do things differently in primary. Teachers working with @theclpe.bsky.social have mapped out a palace on the floor as stimulus for drama and writing activities
I don’t usually post personal stuff but this seems a good day to mention that Harry Kane once played football in the back garden with my kids. Already a superstar in 2016! www.bbc.com/sport/av/foo...
Kane helps Spurs recruit new charity volunteers
Match of the Day's Leon Mann joins up with Tottenham's Harry Kane as the club tap into their fan base to recruit community volunteers for the Noah's Ark Children's Hospice.
bbc.com
Lots of fun and wisdom from all the teachers involved - and a real determination to make classrooms as creative as possible. My highlight was writing about a sloth, as guided by @lhenglished.bsky.social
English and Media Centre@engmediacentre.bsky.social · 2mo agoWe just had a lovely day exploring Big Picture Writing with 20 teachers, focusing on how to bring more creative approaches into the classroom. Here they are at lunch. The course comes with a free 110 page course resource + is repeated in our Autumn course programme englishandmedia.co.uk/courses/
The teachers here were developing a performance of Caleb Femi’s ‘Thirteen’. It’s an activity I saw working so well in the classroom and which I’m sure the teachers taking part will use with their students
English and Media Centre@engmediacentre.bsky.social · 2mo agoEMC Associate Teacher, Maddie Lynes, leads a workshop on drama in the English classroom at today's Talk, Drama and English teacher conference!
Such wisdom from the co-authors of Drama at the Heart of English. I read the introduction to Jane & Maggie’s new book straight after the event and it’s fabulous www.routledge.com/Transforming...
Transforming English Through Drama: Case Studies in Classroom Practice
This unique collection promotes and develops 'drama-in-English’, a hybrid pedagogy combining reader response theory with literacy research and educational drama. Drawing on experienced practitioners' ...
routledge.com
English and Media Centre@engmediacentre.bsky.social · 2mo agoA fascinating panel discussion with Drs Theo Bryer, Jane Coles and Maggie Pitfield today!
What a fantastic day. And what a privilege to hear from such a distinguished speaker at the start of the day - with a very clear message that we need to look beyond policy if we’re to give young people the English lessons they deserve
English and Media Centre@engmediacentre.bsky.social · 2mo agoProfessor Robin Alexander kicks off today's Talk, Drama and English Conference with a talk on talk in English and dialogic teaching!
Peter Kahn and Caleb Femi close our Talk, Drama and English teacher conference with a engaging session on the power of poetry!
A little bit of the Chelsea Flower Show is being reassembled outside our office door in Webber Street. 👏 @literacy-trust.bsky.social for this 🌻🌳
Worth noting that the deadline for booking is early tomorrow morning - so falls within the half-term break
English and Media Centre@engmediacentre.bsky.social · 2mo agoEMC CPD Webinar: Bringing Climate Education into the English Classroom LAST CHANCE TO BOOK! Book by: 8am on 29th May
5 places left for this action-packed teacher conference!
English and Media Centre@engmediacentre.bsky.social · 2mo agoTalk, Drama and English: An EMC Teacher Conference "A truly brilliant day. The workshops were practical, useful and engaging. The panel were informed and motivating... I left buzzing with ideas that I am excited to implement at our school." Book by: 8am on 10th June buff.ly/0OKAMOk
These will be amazing! Looking forward to meeting the young film makers when they're shown the BFI Southbank in July
English and Media Centre@engmediacentre.bsky.social · 3mo agoThe shortlist for this year's MediaMagazine Production Competition is here! 🙌 It was harder than ever before to construct our shortlist, which is testament to the range of skills, talent and ambition on display in all of the entries...
Happy to report that her behaviour is much improved since her more frequent visits in the days when we were based in Islington
English and Media Centre@engmediacentre.bsky.social · 3mo agoCamo dog is back in the office
Keeping in direct contact with classroom practice, learning from these expert teachers, sharing ideas + resources - a definite boon to EMC life + practice
English and Media Centre@engmediacentre.bsky.social · 3mo agoIn the past 2 years 9 EMC Associate Teachers have contributed to EMC courses, conferences + blogs. We've been lucky to get to know them + to benefit from their work. Applications for 26/27 are currently open. Please apply all you talented English teachers! englishandmedia.co.uk/projects/emc...
We're a small team at EMC, trying to do a lot. We're definitely proud of our reach, and proud to be supported by so many teachers committed to inspirational + effective creative pedagogies. Thank you for keeping our charitable work going! englishandmedia.co.uk/media/7128/2...
The first Community Conversation, Lessons from the Archive - ILEA, Children's Books, and Antiracism, was a huge success with over 60 people attending. This promises to be equally fascinating
English and Media Centre@engmediacentre.bsky.social · 3mo agoEMC + @theclpe.bsky.social are hosting another free 'Community Conversation' convened by @darrenchetty.bsky.social on June 2nd after school. A valuable chance to make connections, exchange ideas + hear from leading children's authors. Please sign up! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/childrens-...
Working on our 26/27 catalogue and hoping to match some of the great numbers from the current academic year
Schools have until 5pm today to purchase this package - make sure you don't miss out!
English and Media Centre@engmediacentre.bsky.social · 3mo agoSUMMER WEBINAR PACKAGE 2026 Secure live and on-demand access to all the webinars we're running this term for yourself and your department plus useful resources linked to each one with our great-value Summer Webinar Package. Available for purchase now on our website: buff.ly/Q6RMWi9
We've partnered with 15 Associate Teachers and 3 Associate Schools over the past two years and benefited hugely from their work. We're really looking forward to another batch of strong applications this year
English and Media Centre@engmediacentre.bsky.social · 3mo agoApplications are now open for our Associate Teacher Programme! We're looking to recruit three teachers who share EMC's vision for teaching and can inform us as to key issues in English teaching today. Click the following link to find out more and apply: buff.ly/hRAVWj8
I love the 5 great articles in @mediamagemc.bsky.social & emagazine banners on our social media platforms. New ones added weekly! instagram.com/engmediacentre/
Did you know our 5 great articles series is available on Instagram, with the added bonus of wonderful sample pics from the magazines. Did you even know we're on Insta? Follow us at this link! www.instagram.com/engmediacent...
English and Media Centre (@engmediacentre) • Instagram
723 Followers - 209 Posts - "These 5 great emagazine articles on Global Englishes are perfect for introducing or exploring the topic with your studen…"
instagram.com
English and Media Centre@engmediacentre.bsky.social · 4mo agoThese 5 great emagazine articles on Global Englishes are perfect for introducing or exploring the topic with your students! Available for subscribers via the online article archive - sign in or subscribe here: buff.ly/TTpg0dN
Talk, Drama and English: An EMC Teacher Conference "A brilliant conference. The strategies and information were refreshingly exciting and user friendly." Book by: 12am on 10th June buff.ly/ACKGQoc
EMC patron @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social received this VERY prestigious award this week. We couldn't think of a worthier winner. Congratulations Michael! www.ibby.org/awards-activ...
The annual emagazine Close Reading Competition is now live! For more information about the extract students will be analysing this year, instructions for entry, and prizes for the winner and runners up, click the following link: buff.ly/MrV7UDd
Check out the latest issue of emagazine! Available now for web subscribers and in schools in print form soon. buff.ly/KJ89EaZ The subscription period for 2026/27 opens on 1st April, so don't forget to renew your subscription!
