Sam Thomas

Deputy Principal - Bedford Free School, Bedford, Bedfordshire Closing date: 8:00am, Mon 31st Mar, 2025. View full details and apply online at MyNewTerm.

Following the appointment of Tom Wood to the post of Principal at Bedford Free School, we are looking for a Deputy Principal from September 2025.

This is a brilliant school we want to take to even greater heights.

Please share:

mynewterm.com/jobs/138228/...

#TDaPEManchester is stacked with teachers and leaders thinking deeply about a wide range of subjects and themes.

We're so lucky to have the support of such inspirational colleagues and I know this is going to be another wonderful event thanks to them.

Tix £20: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-thinki...

On the train back from a great day exploring data and AI focussed solutions at #BettUK2025. I’m excited to spend time debriefing with the team over the coming days!

I spent a great day at #TDaPELondon yesterday where I was fortunate enough to talk about the successes we’ve had collaborating at scale at The Kite Academy Trust. Thanks to @kieran-m-ed.bsky.social for organising a great event for a great cause.

Just over 24 hours to get your ticket to #TDaPELondon! Not sure yet? Here's why I think you should...

Support a great cause
Stellar professional development
A chance to win wonderful prizes for you (and your school)

See you there... 18/01/25

Tickets: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-thinki...

#TDaPELondon is fast-approaching and has a stellar lineup of speakers. I’m really looking forward to sharing some of the things we’ve done on our journey at Kite too!

A reminder that I send a weekly newsletter that tries to bridge the gap between AI and evidence-based practice.

I usually don’t promote myself, but if you’ve read it and found it useful, or you’re seeing it for the first time, please share.

I’d love to hit 2,000 by 2025!

news.teacherprompts.ai

BLOG: Does your Multi-Academy Trust have a right to grow?

www.emaths.co.uk/blog/general...

We’ve had 9 Ofsted inspections in the last 15 months. This includes the first time one of our academies has ever been graded ‘Good’ across the board (or equivalent) in 25 years!

Come and hear me talk about our collaborative approach to school improvement at The Kite Academy Trust at #TDaPELondon next month.

Thought piece: Learning through scenarios Picture the scene…a senior school leader is sat in their office, incessantly fiddling with a pencil, whilst trying to figure out how best to raise standards of teaching and learning across the school ...

Our thought piece on case-based reasoning as a potential tool for leadership development in Education.

Authored by @scottinghatt.bsky.social @lekhasharma.bsky.social @nimishlad.bsky.social

getrealleadershiphub.substack.com/p/thought-pi...

Please have a read and share widely if you can 🙏 🙌🏼

We’ve had 9 Ofsted inspections in the last 15 months. This includes the first time one of our academies has ever been graded ‘Good’ across the board (or equivalent) in 25 years!

Come and hear me talk about our collaborative approach to school improvement at The Kite Academy Trust at #TDaPELondon next month.

Congratulations!

One of the things that keeps me going back to Twitter is that I get fairly regular DMs on there asking me for advice about reading.

Just to be clear: I am more than happy for people to DM on here for the same reason.

Please repost this if you think this info might be useful to someone.

Excited for #TDaPELondon?

🎙️In this week’s episode of #TDaPE @morgsedu.bsky.social and I explore the conference line-up and what lies in store in January!

2 tickets to the first person to DM me the number of times we say the word “interesting”🤦🏼‍♂️ #PrimaryEd

🍎: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

This is a great watch and is a big part of what we do at The Kite Academy Trust.

Teacher training inspections 'postponed until January 2026' Ofsted inspections initial teacher training providers are set to be paused for this academic year, Schools Week understands.

🔎 Exclusive: Ofsted inspections of initial teacher training providers are set to be postponed for this academic year, Schools Week understands

It goes without saying the importance in building trust with all staff, however, spending time with his SLT to build a strong purpose will give any changes the best chance of succeeding. It only takes one member of SLT to undermine and create division amongst the staff. #GetReal

Not to be authentic. Going along with the status quo because it worked before or making sweeping changes to make a statement is not an effective way to build genuine trust and respect with Ahmed’s new team.

#GetReal

It’s pretty cool that you can see a copy in the vault in Lincoln Castle too!

To celebrate the release of 'Small Numbers, Big Ideas' we've got a couple of free copies to give away!

Give this a like and repost then we'll pick two winners on December 1st!

www.amazon.co.uk/Small-Number...

#EduSky #EduSkyPrimary #PrimaryMaths #Maths #EYFS #EarlyYears #EarlyYearsSky

The Leadership Development Challenge- it’s time to Get Real by Lekha Sharma

This is a superb idea! I’ve already started thinking hard about the first scenario.

@getrealleadership.bsky.social @lekhasharma.bsky.social @scottinghatt.bsky.social @nimishlad.bsky.social

What makes a primary reading lesson truly meaningful?
📖 @suchmo83.bsky.social will unpack practical strategies for creating lessons which make a real difference.

Don’t miss his double session at #TDaPELondon!

🎟️ Tickets are selling fast—secure yours now: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-thinki...

Just a little nudge that the best way to have your views heard is to submit to the call for evidence.

I massively appreciate that you’re insanely busy and it’s a long survey (you don’t have to respond to every question!).

But this is a big opportunity for positive change…

tinyurl.com/45j92u9p

This is what my earlier thread was about. The details here matter and teachers will be closest to those details 👇

I did some work with the university law clinic in a sixth form which I enjoyed. A family friend, who was a TA at my old primary, sorted out some work experience which I loved. Never looked back since!

This is great. Feels like it should be the first of a five or so part series to be honest.

Intervention model for regional improvement teams revealed New teams will RAG rate schools for support, draw up 'local area priorities' coming and will also use councils for help

📝 The government will use a new RAG rating intervention model to target support to schools that need it, with turnaround leaders wanted to commission the help – and draw up new 'local area priorities'

Here's our explainer with you all you need to know 🔽

This is an excellent read.