Some would argue that Legoland is celebrating Halloween at the moment, but it could be that they’re promoting our Frankenstein teaching guide from @bloomsburyed.bsky.social. It’s difficult to tell… www.bloomsbury.com/uk/bloomsbur....
Fe Brewer
@mrsbrew.bsky.social
Lead Professional Mentor for Leicester SCITT - English Specialist - Mummy Bear - Slightly bonkers redhead
When you go away for half term and discover that @legolandwindsor.bsky.social are keen to promote your book on teaching Frankenstein by @bloomsburyed.bsky.social. #collab #spooktacular
This week, I’ve been exploring open evenings from a parents’ perspective. Communicating and creating that ‘your-child-will-flourish-here’ feeling really is an art that takes a whole team of people and a whole lot of love.
There are few finer ways to spend a warm early evening than lying on a camp blanket, reading a book, and enjoying a cuppa.
Back to work from 21st, and back to Blue Sky today. Aiming this year to share ideas, celebrate progress, encourage adventures, and learn a whole load. Happy new (academic) year, everyone!
Macbeth gem I learned this week: We compare ‘thane’ to ‘lord’, but it’s more than that. Thanes had a duty to provide military support and defence to their ‘lord’ (often the king). So, (if Shakes knew this) Mac being a thane deepens his treachery even further. #englishteaching #shakespeare
Who knew - sometimes when pupils are reading in class, they aren't paying full attention! Evidence here: readingforlearning.org/2025/05/24/t...
This week’s surprising news: some readers aren’t concentrating as hard as we’d like.
My Trust has an online reading programme which sets quizzes based on short texts. The pupils have a choice of text at the right level for them. The quiz pass rate is 8/10. We’ve analysed quiz…
readingforlearning.org
For all the guides and scouts out there: 1: Campfire’s Burning 2: My dad is a lavatory cleaner 3: Cecil is a caterpillar 4: There are no bananas in the sky 5: Vespers #propercampfiresongs #professionalcampers
Ben Newmark@bennewmark.bsky.social · last yr.#FridayFive is singing songs round the camp fire. Vibes fine. Loose rules this week. 1. Pocahontas. Neil Young. 2. Blue Shadows on the Trail. The Three Amigos. 3. Redemption Song. Bob Marley. 4. Wide Open Spaces. The Dixie Chicks. 5. Whiskey in the Jar. Traditional but Thin Lizzy best version.
When half term starts with a delivery from your publisher! 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳 Thanks to @bloomsburyed.bsky.social for the advance copy. ❤️ @gwenelope.bsky.social @litliverbird.bsky.social
Lovely day today in our adaptive teaching ITaP: one of our first cohort returned as a facilitator for our current cohort, and one of the women who trained me came to train our trainees.
a man wearing a hat and earring says " that 's a full circle moment "
ALT: a man wearing a hat and earring says " that 's a full circle moment "
media.tenor.com
One of the barriers to reading aloud in class: It's enjoyable So we think it can't be work But it IS work Not everything has to be difficult /1
'We should be trying to avoid assessments that increase anxiety in children': Tes speaks to leading expert Therese Hopfenbeck about how to build better tests in schools
How to avoid the testing traps and make assessment better
Both national and classroom assessments can become meaningless with the wrong approaches or context, argues leading expert Therese Hopfenbeck
tes.com
Since July the Curriculum and Assessment Review, led by @beckyfrancis.bsky.social, has been engaged in understanding deeply the current state of what children learn and how this is assessed from KS1-KS5. The interim report with initial findings and next steps can be read here: shorturl.at/FFg7Z
Curriculum and Assessment Review: interim report
An independent review of the curriculum and assessment system in England, with statistical analysis.
gov.uk
If you want to feel mild terror this Sunday morning, I can thoroughly recommend this article. Fascinating, and something for us to really think about in schools too. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Ultra-processed babies: are toddler snacks one of the great food scandals of our time?
For time-poor parents, straws, sticks, pouches and powders can seem like a quick, convenient and even healthy option. But these oversweetened, mushy foods are creating a generation of choosy consumers...
theguardian.com
Why Motivation Theories in Education Haven't Changed in Decades (And Why It Matters for Schools) carlhendrick.substack.com/p/why-motiva...
Why Motivation Theories in Education Haven't Changed in Decades (And Why It Matters for Schools)
New paper suggests that our understanding of motivation has been stuck in the 1980s which is good for academics but not useful for teachers and parents.
carlhendrick.substack.com
The data suggests that nearly half of secondary students with #speech #language #communication needs are going unidentified. This article with @speechandlanguage.bsky.social asks what schools can do to spot & support these young people: buff.ly/4bd9NvY #SendTips #Teachers #Sponsored #Edusky
It’s never too late: Spotting and supporting SLCN at secondary school - SecEd
Many secondary students have unidentified speech language communication needs. How do SENCOs and teachers support them?
buff.ly
Do worked examples boost the spacing effect on lasting learning? Apparently not! 🤯 This study examined what the impact would be of the spacing effect and worked examples were combined and the results were... surprising.
Animal sightings on my morning walk. First 2 miles: 2 deer, 2 hares, 1 flock of geese; loads of birds. Last mile: 6 humans; 5 black labs.
🧵An important part of the primary experience is having a lovely time- adults ringfencing the unique state of childhood and ensuring that primary is a glorious place to be little. Playful and joyful are not the antonyms of high standards and aspiration.
Really interesting research study published about school mental health awareness interventions in secondary. Well worth reading assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67a0f0... #secondary #mentalhealth
Starting half term with breakfast in bed, a good book, and then a 3-mile muddy walk/slip-and-slide venture. Perfect. 👌🏻
Are you a teacher educator? Or fancy becoming one? Either way, This conversation with Dr Ciara O’Donell is essential listening 🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/2RBv...
When Teachers Teach Teachers | A Conversation with Dr. Ciara O'Donnell
Education Leaders · Episode
open.spotify.com
When you hold off on your afternoon treat until you feel you’ve really, really earned it, and the universe rewards you with a factory-mishap bonus chocolate. 🙌🏻
Forget flower and cards etc, this is a real Valentine’s Day must. ❤️
Now half way through. I can feel the heart-wrench approach, and yet I almost yearn for it. What a stunning piece of literature.
Fe Brewer@mrsbrew.bsky.social · 2y agoI’ve heard good things, so am heading into this today…
I’ve been interviewing potential trainee teachers this week. Two, completely unrelated, mentioned how much their religion brings them solace and peace. Really quite beautiful.