Katie Finlayson

@learnwhatyoulive.bsky.social

Home educator, data nerd, home ed exams specialist, ex-Chair of Governors and one time computer programmer. Expect eclectic thoughts.

Lots to think about. Much is out of my depth, but the point about there being more to the science of learning than is encapsulated in the widely understood 'educogsci' movement is well made. There's always more we can do to develop our practice and this focus on teaching meaning is fascinating.

Mr Lee Bates@mrbates.bsky.social · yesterday

Christian always points to the practicalities of what to do in the classroom if you want pupils to be doing the doing; doing the thinking; making their meaning. Engaging with Christian’s thinking has definitely helped my thinking and my practice. trevoraleo.substack.com/p/christian-...

Hypermobility (and hEDS) “the little-known 'bendy disease' that causes pain.” Parent carers know how common this is—in themselves as well as their (usually autistic) children. Finding a specialist & treatment? Good luck with that! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Hypermobility - the little-known 'bendy disease' that causes pain

The disorder may affect hundreds of thousands in the UK, but many face delays in getting a diagnosis.

bbc.co.uk

The 1 in 8 young people NEET is 1 in 20 16-17s, 1 in 9 18-20s, 1 in 6 21-22s and over 1 in 6 for 23-24s. Which is why it's curious that virtually all the proposals are aimed at under-21s and the school system.

Gavin Kelly@gavin-kelly.bsky.social · yesterday

With today's NEETs stats reminding us that nearly 1 in 8 young people are not in education or employment, here is my recent piece for Alan Milburn's Review (which I'm pleased to be contributing to).

Didn’t get a job that was a really good fit and I genuinely believe the outcome (which I care about) will be worse as a result. Ah well. I’m choosing to believe that’s because something better fitting and more impactful is on the way.

I've started my role as Director of the Knowledge Hub and found myself explaining what exactly this is a fair bit since being appointed. I've written this to introduce us to anyone we're new to. Share and follow us for educational nerdery with purpose! theknowledgehubuk.substack.com/p/introducin...

Introducing the Knowledge Hub

The Knowledge Hub, led by Ben Newmark and based at Saint Martin’s Catholic Academy in Stoke Golding, Leicestershire, is a network of experienced and successful teachers and school leaders.

theknowledgehubuk.substack.com

To the question, 'what makes a good life' we don't need deep philosophical reflection The reaction to Dolly Parton's death shows the answer: Treat everyone with respect and dignity, regardless of their background, and try to do as much good as you can (while harming as few people as possible)

There can be good science that produces results people don’t like, but remains good science. Bad science, however, remains bad science whether you like the results or not.

Listen up bitches, this is serious. Here’s the plan for tomorrow morning. No exceptions. Everyone shows up. We’re gonna tumble out of bed. We’re gonna stumble to the kitchen. And we’re gonna pour ourselves a cup of goddamn ambition. Because we’ve got dreams they’ll never take away. Lock in.

I also think now would be a really good time to pivot the digital govt strategy - the sweet spot is to give people as much convenience as possible without making reliance on your phone a "must have" for participation in daily life. Makes no sense for Burnham to lean on a centralised digital state

BlueSky followers, I need your input... Over the next two years I'm going to be studying AQA A-Level Psychology (the plan had been Geography, as some of you may remember, but the sister-in-law has changed subjects!).

ResearchEd National prep continues in earnest. I'm at the first run through - need to restructure stage of things. The final result will be worth it though, promise. If you're coming on 5 Sep and interested in learning a bit more about flexischooling, look me up :)

Powerpoint window open to a presentations draft and slide on Flexischooling with key topics
What is flexischooling?
The legal framework
Issues to consider
What the research says

The number of students leaving school without grade 4 in English and maths remains remarkably consistent because of the 'labyrinthine mechanics of how exams are graded', says @ascl-uk.bsky.social's @pepediiasio.bsky.social, who argues for ‘political boldness’ to break the cycle

Insanity of GCSE resits policy revealed once again

Another year of most resit students falling short of the required grade 4 in English language and maths proves we need a change, argues ASCL chief Pepe Di’Iasio

tes.com

This is infuriating. Over the past ten or so years we have seen a marked decline in portion size. 6'2 teenagers getting tiny plates that are barely a snack. Fix that before this moral hand-wringing over what they're eating. www.theguardian.com/education/20...

Most English secondary schools are breaking healthy food rules, finds report

‘Shocking’ breaches such as sweets and crisps at breakfast uncovered just before expansion of access to free school meals

theguardian.com

After a work-free break, I’m back to GCSE MFL! As always, GCSE results have brought a mixture of reactions. Some are pleased with their results, others are understandably disappointed. Both responses are valid. What can we take from the data? www.fraubastowmfl.co.uk/post/edexcel...

Edexcel GCSE Modern Languages Results 2026

Edexcel GCSE Modern Languages Results 2026German / French / Spanish2025–2026 comparison and planning for 2027 Important: 2026 is not simply another year of the same Edexcel GCSE. German, French and Sp...

fraubastowmfl.co.uk

'it’s interesting to compare how hard it was to differentiate a web browser with how hard it is today to differentiate a chatbot' Fab piece from @thebenedictevans.bsky.social asking hard Qs of OpenAI when its tech is similar to other labs and has no network effects www.ben-evans.com/benedictevan...

How will OpenAI compete? — Benedict Evans

OpenAI has some big questions. It doesn’t have unique tech. It has a big user base, but with limited engagement and stickiness and no network effect. The incumbents have matched the tech and are lever...

ben-evans.com