Dan Morrow

An excellent colleague to work alongside/ who really does walk the walk of ethical, inclusive high standards

Dr Jenny Blunden, CEO, Truro and Penwith Academy Trust Fighting low aspirations for children in Cornwall

🏫 When Dr Jenny Blunden took charge at her Cornish trust, its three schools were 'broken'

But in a fight against low aspirations, the CEO has added successful schools and continues to battle for them as budgets remain squeezed

Read our profile of her here 🔽

Ofsted to check phone policies and 'tougher' guidance coming Government will also consult on a potential social media ban for children

Breaking: Ofsted will check every school’s policy on mobile phones during inspections and ministers will issue 'tougher guidance for schools' on restricting the devices, the government has announced

schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-to-ch...

Yes pls

Brilliant! Congratulations both

This is super helpful and appreciated thank you

📕Our pre-Budget briefing is out

Next week, the government faces unavoidable trade-offs between political demands and economic reality.

With it likely the Chancellor takes a 'smorgasbord' approach of smaller tax rises - we look at the risks, tax options, and other policies to feature next week -

Precious memories being made

I have no doubt that someone, somewhere is ruining this is a win because of “engagement”
It isn’t. This is tone deaf and really
Irritating

Racism returning to UK politics – and people are very scared, says Starmer PM attacks ‘toxic division of Reform’ and gives strongest signal yet that two-child benefit cap will be lifted

“Some of the rhetoric we’re hearing – racist rhetoric, divisive rhetoric – that frankly I thought we had dealt with decades ago is returning to politics and it makes people feel very scared,”

Says PM who in May sounded like the unlamented Enoch Powell with his "island of strangers" speech 😡🙄

Finally got round to writing about this. We're not making enough progress with challenging educational disadvantage. We should pick key areas that face wicked problems, suspend how we normally do things, and try radical collaboration:

open.substack.com/pub/jimlaude...

It is utter bullshit that the mistaken splicing of two bits of his January 6th 2021 speech on Panorama in October 2024 had any significant impact whatsoever on the reputation of Donald Trump in Britain, or globally, and the claim for $1 billion damages is bullshit and bullying by the US president

Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?

Nice response to the curric & assess review. In case it’s paywalled for you, @missgoodyear.bsky.social & @samgibbs.bsky.social conspicuously don’t go down the ‘implementation’ of ‘what works’ (ie data-farming) path, but instead go with attuning to & meeting actual needs.

Happy #neuroqueering! 🦋

Many, many happy returns lovely Beth xx

ICYMI: Government has accepted the Francis review recommendation to introduce RE to the national curriculum - but has said the sector must 'reach consensus on whether this is achievable'

Followed your holiday with joy! All good here
Be great to catch up before Christmas x

Thank you
Son I’ve to hear from you x

It’s an important welcomed piece. Thanks to your and your team for such success in the face of such complexity

Wow, quite the day! Thanks to all of you that have supported, engaged with, and input to, the Curriculum and Assessment Review. Having the different sources of evidence, including the experiences and wisdom 'from the ground' from teachers and school leaders, has been pivotal. Many thanks again!

📢 Join us on Friday for Under the CAR Bonnet - a free Schools Week webinar on the curriculum and assessment review

We'll interview review chair Professor Becky Francis to get behind the headlines of her landmark report, followed by audience Q&A

Sign up: events.zoom.us/ev/AofhjYOxI...

"We do, though, recognise that there could be unintended consequences with this, and we’re certainly not thinking of them as KS3 Sats."

Becky Francis on the introduction of new Y8 examinations (or 'diagnostic checks') - and more - below

Congratulations to @beckyfrancis.bsky.social and everyone else involved in the curriculum review. There's bits I'd quibble on (oracy focus an issue unless defined) but I found myself nodding and going "yeah sensible" to almost all of it. Also I agree with the tests in Y8 too.

Hahaha I just thought this
Came for the recognition, left with an oozing chocolate brownie

Francis review: the recommendations rejected by government The DfE wants full rather than phased implementation of curriculum reform - from 2028 - and puts the brakes on inclusion of RE in the national curriculum

Which of the curriculum and assessment review proposals has the DfE rejected or will not implement as prescribed?

There are only a few areas of disagreement - @cerysturner.bsky.social has the lowdown below

www.tes.com/magazine/new...

Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report The conclusions and recommendations of the independent review of the curriculum, assessment and qualifications system in England.

The final report of the independent curriculum and assessment review is OUT.

Deep gratitude to the thousands who participated. One thing that’s clear is that there’s abundant expertise and passion across our system.

You can read the full thing here:

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

Curriculum review: what does it say about your subject? The newly published review of curriculum and assessment makes a series of recommendations across different subjects. Find out how your subject could change if the government takes forward its proposal...

I want to pass on my sincere thanks to Professor Becky Francis and her expert panel.

I knew from opposition that Prof Francis was the person I wanted to revitalise & renew our curriculum.

She has been unflinching in her drive for high standards for all.
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...

Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report The conclusions and recommendations of the independent review of the curriculum, assessment and qualifications system in England.

Today the curriculum and assessment review is published. Please do read the executive summary and recommendations.

Thank you to everyone who gave evidence and who came and spoke to us. I really appreciated you all giving your time and expertise.

👉 www.gov.uk/government/p...

The Francis Review is out. Huge congratulations to @beckyfrancis.bsky.social and the panel for a thorough and thoughtful review which is (1/4):

Thanks so much again to the expert panel, including @cassiebuchanan.bsky.social @jonhutchinson.bsky.social @jo-annebaird.bsky.social and the others for their wisdom