Roger McDonald

The shameless hypocrisy of Nigel Farage | The News Agents Nigel Farage has been branded a “Putin-loving free speech impostor and Trump sycophant” during his visit to the US to plead for help with Britain's so-called ‘free-speech problem.’ But will slagging…

"He's done everything he could to break down this country, and now he's going off to tell everyone abroad how broken we are."

Nigel Farage loves the UK so much, he flew to America this week to tell Congress how awful it is. Is this patriotism?

Delighted this edition is now out with 64 contributors!! @primaryenglish.bsky.social @primaryteachew.bsky.social @kashleyenglish.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social @rogmcdonald.bsky.social Built to last with classroom teachers voices too!

Booking now LiVE for our Oct. 18th Conference! tinyurl.com/bn6d2x3m Milton Keynes 🎈Do Join us! 🎈@openuni-rfp.bsky.social @jonnybid.bsky.social @readingrocks.bsky.social @kashleyenglish.bsky.social @debbiethomas.bsky.social An engaging reading community focused day 🎈@uklitassociation.bsky.social

Wonderful @openuni-rfp.bsky.social @uklitassociation.bsky.social Student Teacher #readingforpleasure Ambassadors presentations tonight! From universities across the country! Future Reading Teachers! @rogmcdonald.bsky.social @kashleyenglish.bsky.social @debbiethomas.bsky.social

michaelrosenblog.blogspot.com/2025/05/this...

Totally agree- the issue with real reading and writing and 'schooled' reading and writing.

In his latest piece for the Church Times, @stevechalke.bsky.social argues that alongside national conversations about masculinity, violence and smartphones, we need a conversation about the spiritual health of our young people.

👉 Read more here: https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/topics/young-people

Don't miss out on a chance to apply to be in the 2025/26 cohort of schools working towards the prestigious UKLA/OU Reading for Pleasure Quality Mark. The Quality Mark is open to Primary and Secondary settings which have RfP developed across the provision. www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la...

The DfE has updated its SEND guidance for school governing boards.

Highly recommend reading. Includes signposting to some useful additional resources & a checklist for governors.

www.gov.uk/government/p...

#SEND #Inclusion #schools #schoolleaders #schoolgovernors

YouTube video by The News Agents Ukraine War: The New Trump & Putin Axis Explained

Lie after lie has been told this week about how the Ukraine war started, from the Kremlin and the White House.

Here's our News Agents video essay which explains the truth, and spells out why Trump clings so close to Putin and lives in his warped reality.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cufM...

In just over a week's time the @uklitassociation.bsky.social online national conference is happening, do join us for a fab morning and taking about the potential for literacy to break boundaries and help children and young people navigate the world we are in ukla.org/nc25/ #EduSky

Director of Programmes - Prospectus Recruitment Agency Prospectus is delighted to be supporting Voice 21 as they look to appoint a new Director of Programmes – a key senior leadership role supporting with delivery of their new 5-year strategy at a vital t...

🗣️We are looking for a new Director of Programmes.

Are you a proactive and collaborative leader with a deep understanding of the educational landscape? We want to hear from you👇

www.prospect-us.co.uk/jobs/190952-...

Check out these stunning titles ! www.empathylab.uk/RFE Wonderful to be an Empathy Lab judge alongside @jonnybid.bsky.social @rcharlesworth.bsky.social and many more!

The next Open University/UKLA RfP conference takes place in Doncaster on Saturday 29th March. Fantastic keynotes from author Sufiya Ahmed and @teresacremin.bsky.social, plus some exciting workshops. I'm already looking forward to it! More info here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reading-fo...

UKLA Literacy Special Issue: The Writing Realities Framework and New Directions In Writing Research, Instruction And Learning is guest edited by Ross Young, Felicity Ferguson, and Doug Kaufman and now available online: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/17414369/2025/59/1

We currently have spaces for schools to take part in our 2025/26 professional development course 'Professionals: Implementing Change'. Our Professionals: Implementing Change programme is a bespoke, research based, CPD programme directed to professionals and delivered within your setting.

Tom Doust is talking about the importance of imagination in the primary classroom. It is live now- if you would like to come along just pop me an e-mail r.d.mcdonald@gre.ac.uk

Primary and secondary colleagues, we are holding a Reading for Pleasure CPD event which will include information about the National Reading for Pleasure Quality Mark from the Open University and UKLA. If you are interested, please do sign up.

Do join us in Doncaster in March! Practical, inspirational and evidence informed we’ll share ways to profile choice and voice www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reading-fo... Bookshops + Sufiya Ahmed too! @jonbiddle.bsky.social @imogenm16.bsky.social @kashleyenglish.bsky.social @schoolreadinglist.bsky.social

Reminder! OU/UKLA Reading for Pleasure Quality Mark Introductory Session is happening on March 25th. Interested in taking part in the Quality Mark? Want to access research-informed CPD on Reading for Pleasure? Make sure to get your ticket.
https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/70023

Morag Styles obituary First professor of children’s poetry at Cambridge, who also worked to promote the teaching, dissemination and understanding of Caribbean poetry

“Morag was a seminal figure in putting children’s literature on the map as a field of academic enquiry.She initiated an undergraduate programme in children’s literature.. became the thriving Centre for Research in Children’s Literature” Remarkable work & legacy. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...

Fantastic Dave! Well done.

Have you got your tickets for the 2025 UKLA National Conference yet? Taking place over Zoom on Saturday 1st March, and with a brilliant line up of speakers and workshops, it certainly is not one to miss.

We Love Poetry! - Just Imagine We Love Poetry! Join Nikki Gamble as she discusses all things poetry with James Carter, Simon Lamb, Stephen Lightbown and Sarah Ziman

The @justimaginecentre.bsky.social team put on some amazing free events for pupils & school staff. On Thursday, they're running a poetry session with @jamescarterpoet.bsky.social, @bardymum.bsky.social, Simon Lamb & Stephen Lightbrown. One not to miss! Details here: justimagine.co.uk/evening-in/w...

michaelrosenblog.blogspot.com/2025/01/poet...

A year's worth of picturebook assembly suggestions that have a focus on diversity, equality, inclusion and empathy. Hopefully it's of use, even to just dip into occasionally. The link is here: padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r... #edusky

International Conference Liverpool 2025 - UK Literacy Association Beating the Odds, Changing Futures  UKLA 2025 – 60th Conference – Liverpool  – John Moore’s University – 27th to 29th June 2025  CALL FOR PAPERS IS NOW

We're really looking forward to the @uklitassociation.bsky.social 60th Conference (27 - 29 June 2025), 'Beating the Odds, Changing Futures' - the call for papers is open until 5 Jan. A journey of empowerment, beating the odds, and collectively changing futures for the better! ukla.org/ic25/

So sad to hear about Morag Styles. Her research into children's picturebooks have been pivotal to my research journey. I was star struck when I met her & she was so kind. I was lucky to sit on @uklitassociation.bsky.social's academic book panel she chaired, she was generous with her time & advice.

What kind of society would willingly traumatise its children in the name of education? | John Harris As claims about practices in two flagship London academies are investigated, it’s time to stop and think about what schools are really for, says Guardian columnist John Harris

Many edu people have been pointing out for 10Y+ that England has this problem, &have taken a huge amount of abuse on ‘EduTwitter’ for it. Some of us were even surveilled by the Tory DFE for so doing- @ruthswailes.bsky.social. Time to lance this abscess. #EduSky www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

YouTube video by OU Reading for Pleasure OU Newsletter Live! December 2024

If you weren't able to make the Newsletter Live event about #ReadingforPleasure and poetry, I'm pleased to say it's now up on YouTube! youtu.be/OOWaxSl2xOQ?... #EduSky #teachers