The SEND system can’t be fixed by ‘redesigning paperwork or creating new thresholds’ – the government’s reforms will only succeed if they focus on driving inclusive practice from the early years, writes @juliangrenier.bsky.social

3 critical shifts for SEND reform success in EYFS

Structural reform to the SEND system will only make early years provision more inclusive if the plans are backed up by these key changes in practice, writes Julian Grenier

tes.com

New research explores the issue of toddlers watching YouTube. It is mostly low-quality content, when quality is exactly what shapes early language. Worth knowing and worth sharing with parents. (research via @juliangrenier.bsky.social onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

New Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) 'Evidence into Action' podcast on maths problem solving. Feat. @gracecoker27.bsky.social, @camillakgilmore.bsky.social, Helen Drury, Tom Pole & Mike Williams. evidenceintoaction.podbean.com/e/maths-prio...

'There is a big difference between expecting young children to complete formal writing tasks and encouraging them to experiment with marks, symbols and early writing': @juliangrenier.bsky.social busts the 'myth' that EYFS children should avoid writing until they can spell

The myth about Ofsted, the DfE and early writing

A myth has taken root in early years that children should avoid writing until they can form letters and spell correctly – but encouraging early writing and mark making can help with literacy, says Julian Grenier

tes.com

🚨 NEW POST 🚨 ‘Improving reading with the R.E.A.D.S Framework’ “It is not a rigid sequence to follow step by step, but a flexible repertoire. It is a helpful prompt for the teacher to consider which mode of discussion is most valuable at any given moment.” alexquigley.co.uk/improving-re...

Improving reading with the R.E.A.D.S Framework

Reading in class should be one of the richest experiences a teacher can offer. In practice, it can also prove one of the most uncertain and difficult. Whether it is reading a story in year 2 or unpick...

alexquigley.co.uk

The academic language of school is either a barrier to learning or instead it can unlock the curriculum. I wrote ‘Literacy Essentials for Every Teacher’ to distil what teachers need to know and do about teaching that language: amzn.eu/d/0aSwqxSB

'An unhelpful myth has taken root in early years education: children should avoid writing altogether until they can spell simple words correctly and form all their letters accurately.' My latest column for TES @tesmagazine.bsky.social ⤵️ www.tes.com/magazine/tea...

Every summer I repost this article on how to spot drowning. Please read it and pass on. In the last few years I’ve had SIX messages from people who saved a kid’s life after clicking on the link from my feed. slate.com/technology/2...

Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning

Drowning is not the violent, splashing call for help that most people expect.

slate.com

💡NEW POST 💡 ‘Talk routines: ABC Feedback’ Great classroom talk doesn’t happen by accident: it happens by routine. A small scaffold that can make classroom dialogue more thoughtful, accountable, and academically productive. alexquigley.co.uk/talk-routine...

Talk routines: ABC Feedback

High-quality talk routines in the classroom matter. They can build understanding, foster engagement, aid behaviour, promote critical thinking, and much more. It is no surprise then that oracy has rise...

alexquigley.co.uk

My new @tesmagazine.bsky.social article: ‘We haven’t closed the reading gap yet’ “The reading gains we’ve made as a country should certainly be celebrated. Yet it is important that we explore what is going on behind the “good news” headlines, too.” www.tes.com/magazine/tea...

Why haven't we closed the reading gap yet?

Despite national gains in reading, pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds still make less progress than their peers, says Alex Quigley. So, what can be done to help?

tes.com

90 years on from the Battle of Cable St in London’s east end, so many important lessons to reflect on. Inspirational and powerful - from Cable Street to Brick Lane, screened at Genesis Cinema. Intro by Glyn Robbins from Tower Hamlets Trades Council

The consolations of a good coffee. Freddo cappuccino at #45 Roman Rd (Quarantacinque), Tower Hamlets in the May sun.

Queuing round the block to vote - Fish Island, Tower Hamlets. I always find election days both sombre and uplifting.

@theobserveruk.bsky.social every week my partner points out that you have far more images of men than women on your section covers. Today no exception - 4 out of 5.

Another informative Early Years Webinar run by Dr. Julian Grenier - sharing key updates from the DfE, applying his own findings from Newham to the Tower Hamlets context and tips and guidance that colleagues can apply in the classroom. Lots happening in the Early Years education space!

Red Comet by @heatherclarkauthor.bsky.social is brilliant. On the life and on the poems. Made me rethink almost everything about Sylvia Plath, whilst reaffirming her greatness. I’ll never forget reading ‘Cut’ at school … most poems died in that classroom. Not Plath’s. A wonderful biography.

Useful new guidance out from Department for Education to support transition into the Reception Year: #edusky www.gov.uk/government/p...

Supporting a smooth transition into reception

gov.uk

Interested in keeping up with research and evidence in early childhood education and care? Check out the latest edition of my newsletter on LinkedIn - includes a discussion of the ‘early maths gap’ and the impact of book gifting. #edusky www.linkedin.com/pulse/early-...

Early years research evidence in 5 quick reads

Welcome to issue 20 of my monthly newsletter, bringing you five key research updates and helping you stay informed. All views are my own.

linkedin.com

A great night at the opening of the new V&A East. I’ve been admiring the architecture from the outside since it first went up - inside is even better. This is a tremendous museum. Very much enjoyed the gallery I was able to visit with the crowd, focused on belonging and campaigning for visibility.

💡NEW POST 💡 'SHARE to support struggling readers and writers' S – Scaffolding challenging tasks H – High expectations for every student A – Assessment-driven adaptations R – Responsive interventions E – Explicit teaching alexquigley.co.uk/share-to-sup...

SHARE to support struggling readers & writers

Where do teachers start when it comes to supporting students who struggle with reading and writing? There is so much written and argued about reading and writing, that busy teachers can feel a little ...

alexquigley.co.uk

💡 Birth month always needs to be a consideration: - Summer born children are more likely to be recorded as having SEND - September born children 30% more likely to go to an elite university - More progress in P8 scores for summer born children …& more ffteducationdatalab.org.uk/2022/11/the-...

Issue 20 of my newsletter is out today on LinkedIn. It's for everyone interested in catching up quickly with research and evidence in the early years www.linkedin.com/pulse/early-...

Early years research evidence in 5 quick reads

Welcome to issue 20 of my monthly newsletter, bringing you five key research updates and helping you stay informed. All views are my own.

linkedin.com

Stunning pink and white cherry blossom tree in Bethnal Green, just by the fire station. A white blossoming branch grafted onto a pink blossoming tree.

✅ New from the EEF: free tool to help early years educators scaffold learning more effectively. Scaffolding gives children the “just right” level of challenge: not too much, not too little. 2‑page PDF with steps for teams to use everyday here: d2tic4wvo1iusb.cloudfront.net/production/c... #edusky

A great Early Years Network meeting led by Julian Grenier! He shared key knowledge and insights with Early years teachers and leaders. Olga Primary school kindly hosted a showcase of their 3 tiered approach to planning - child led, non negotiable and gap led. Lots of takeaways from this session!

💡NEW POST 💡 ‘What teachers think about disciplinary literacy’ “Teachers who experience teaching a young child to read with a phonics programme and early handwriting practice feels a world away from reading dense science texts or writing history essays.” alexquigley.co.uk/what-teacher...

What teachers think about disciplinary literacy

It can sometimes feel like primary school and secondary school teachers inhabit different worlds. It is no surprise then that teachers at different phases have diverging views and beliefs given their ...

alexquigley.co.uk

🚨 NEW POST 🚨 ‘What teachers think about disciplinary literacy’ “As reading and writing success is synonymous with academic success, disciplinary literacy isn't a nice-to-have extra for teachers. Instead, it is fundamental to the success of every student.” alexquigley.co.uk/what-teacher...

What teachers think about disciplinary literacy

It can sometimes feel like primary school and secondary school teachers inhabit different worlds. It is no surprise then that teachers at different phases have diverging views and beliefs given their ...

alexquigley.co.uk

Are you looking to harness feedback and pupil understanding in the classroom to adapt your teaching? The new Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) ‘Check.Adapt’ tool offers a simple scaffold for reflection. Find it here: educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/news/checkin...

Just finished ‘John & Paul A Love Story in Songs’ by @ianleslie.bsky.social I can’t put this well … a profoundly beautiful book that brought back many memories of childhood listening. Memories…but I heard the songs anew. Finished it, listened to ‘Here Today’ by McCartney, rarely felt so moved.

How can feedback drive successful teacher adaptations? This new Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) resource - ‘Check.Adapt’ - offers a concise, usuable resource to reflect on decisions in the classroom. Read more here: educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/news/checkin...