Frances Akinde

Why we must improve teaching’s ethnic diversity – and how Our new research shows more inclusive recruitment and retention is vital to solving the workforce crisis

🔬 'Teaching does not reflect diversity in the working-age or school-age populations - but the diversity of training applicants is high'

Jack Worth presents new research from @thenfer.bsky.social and @mission44.bsky.social
schoolsweek.co.uk/why-we-must-...

Government AI guidance for schools: 9 key findings Schools could use AI to help write letters to parents, give feedback to pupils and come up with lesson ideas

Schools could use AI to help write letters to parents, give feedback to pupils and come up with ideas for lessons, new government guidance says

Here's everything leaders need to know ...

schoolsweek.co.uk/school-ai-to...

The SecEd Podcast: Autism in the secondary school classroom - SecEd An expert panel offers advice and tips for how teaching staff can support their autistic students in schools

SecEd Podcast: #Autism in the secondary school. Our new episode considers how #teachers & #teaching staff can effectively support #autistic students – with great tips & dos/don'ts from our experts @pookyh.bsky.social @seainclusion.bsky.social @inclusionht.bsky.social & BukkyYusuf

The SecEd Podcast: Autism in the secondary school classroom - SecEd An expert panel offers advice and tips for how teaching staff can support their autistic students in schools

SecEd Podcast: #Autism in the secondary school. Our new episode considers how #teachers & #teaching staff can effectively support #autistic students – with great tips & dos/don'ts from our experts @pookyh.bsky.social @seainclusion.bsky.social @inclusionht.bsky.social & BukkyYusuf:

Leading expert and author Frances Akinde shares successful strategies for developing anti-racist policy and practice in schools ⬇️
www.twinkl.co.uk/l/it0yd

@inclusionht.bsky.social #edusky

I need to start writing on here.Seems like it's the place to be 🤔

Lovely hour yesterday recording a podcast for @seced.bsky.social with @pookyh.bsky.social, @inclusionht.bsky.social and Bukky Yusaf about support children with autism in school. Please listen when it comes out.

Why the curriculum review must consider its international impact Thousands of parents choose international schools delivering the English curriculum because of its quality and rigour - a reality that must not be overlooked, says Cobis CEO Colin Bell

Interesting piece from COBIS CEO Colin Bell today on @tesmagazine.bsky.social about why the curriculum review must be mindful of the international impact of any changes it proposes www.tes.com/magazine/ana...

The special educational needs crisis affects all our children | Letters Letters: Dr Helen Care says we have to start looking at the wider picture and ask what schools are for, Helen Kinsey says it is a false economy not to be supporting the most vulnerable. Plus a letter ...

www.theguardian.com/education/20...

Special Needs as a label suggests a group as somehow different to the majority. @inclusionht.bsky.social @inclusivejoeb.bsky.social @disasterstrat.bsky.social Schools measured by academic success rather than principles of justice creates inequality.

A qualified SENCO with 20 years' experience working in various roles across educational settings provision and local authority, we’re delighted that @inclusionht.bsky.social will be joining us as a keynote speaker at our SEND Conference.

More info: hfl.mobi/SENDConf25BS

#SEND #edusky #academicsky

📣Speaker Announcement

It's time to announce our first headline speaker at #SENDCONF25. We're really very excited to have the incredible @inclusionht.bsky.social with us. Frances' session will explore 'Creative Solutions for Truly Inclusive Classrooms'

Tickets: www.sendconference.org

I didn’t see you!

The Toxic Effects of Branding Your Workplace a “Family” When it comes to conversations about our workplace, it’s no surprise that a deeply personal element comes into play. You spend most of your waking hours at work and share moments in that time that few...

I wrote about this in my book on Allyship, can lead to misguided loyalties. Lots written in the corporate world about this.

hbr.org/2021/10/the-...

100% agree. Can create false loyalties leading to a toxic culture which is the opposite of what was originally intended.

BBC iPlayer on Instagram: "When accessibility isn’t prioritised, this can be the reality of being deaf at school 💔 #WaterlooRoad #Drama #DeafAwareness #DeafEducation #DeafCommunity #SignLanguage #Lea... 3,038 likes, 69 comments - bbciplayer on October 17, 2024: "When accessibility isn’t prioritised, this can be the reality of being deaf at school 💔 #WaterlooRoad #Drama #DeafAwareness #DeafEducation ...

A great (fictional) example of why #inclusion is so important for our young people. 👏

#Accessiblity #Inclusivity #EduSky #Ukteachers #UKEd

AI Alt Text Generator Automatically generate image alt text using AI. Integrations for WordPress, Shopify, WooCommerce, Chrome, Contentful. Full developer API.

Desktop is so much easier for me. I use alttext.ai

Why your SEND intervention isn’t working A new research review and toolkit explores the increasing attainment gap for pupils with SEND and why evidence-informed practice isn’t making it to the classroom

"the intervention effects didn’t vary according to whether they were delivered in a small group, one-to-one or who implemented them"

Fascinating chat with Prof Jo Van Herewegen on what works (and doesn't) for SEND interventions - loads of insights for schools
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...

Speech and language is in crisis - what can schools do next? Speech and language challenges in schools are at a critical point, but causation and solutions are complex, finds Zofia Niemtus. So, what should schools be doing?

➡️ Speech and language is in crisis - what can schools do next?

The S&L crisis is not a Covid blip, it is a long-term problem that is damaging the outcomes of too many children and schools are being left to cope alone.

A critical long read this morning
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...

Minding the Gaps: How inspections in 2023-24 differed by region - SSAT In the past week, I have been looking at the regional variations in the 2023-24 inspection data with some interest and so I wanted to share them with you. Hopefully you will find them fascinating too.

NEW POST on regional variations in reports from inspections conducted in 2023-24.

Intriguing differences in numbers inspected, outcomes, changes and - perhaps most importantly - the need to improve comments.

@ssatuk.co.uk

www.ssatuk.co.uk/blog/minding...

This is meant to be excluded but if you’re in an unethical trust there are ways to get around it.
For example, percentage spend on staffing is higher in SEND schools but some trusts might limit this or use specialist staff across the trust paid for from EHCP funding.

AltText.ai: The AI Alt Text Generator Automatically generate image alt text using AI. Integrations for WordPress, Shopify, WooCommerce, Chrome, Contentful. Full developer API.

I use alttext.ai. Takes no time at all. I find I have to add a bit more detail sometimes but still much quicker. No excuse now 😊

Schools look to SEND trusts over rising pupil need Mainstream schools increasingly looking for 'specialist help' to deal with youngsters' needs

Interesting. The funding is very attractive too for trusts that GAG pool. Something for special schools that are considering this to be cautious of.
#SEND
#education
#schools
@SchoolsWeek

schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-look...

Delighted to share the new Lit in Colour report out today www.penguin.co.uk/lit-in-colou...

The message is: change is possible. And we love to see it.

Academy chain with 35,000 pupils to be first in England to go phone-free Exclusive: Ormiston academies trust says impact of smartphones on learning and mental health has been ‘catastrophic’

Ormiston academies trust to be first to ban mobile phones across its schools. Interesting.
apple.news/Avl57aHoOQb-...

Mel B among Britons taking fight against afro hair discrimination to parliament World Afro Day campaign urges MPs to update Equality Act to make afro hair a protected characteristic

apple.news/A-UXd59NERCa...

AI tools for planning lessons? It just won’t work The government’s move to use AI to help teachers with workload is well-meaning, but fundamentally misunderstands the process, writes Ed Finch

My article in TES on my concerns about widespread adoption of AI to plan on our behalf.
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...

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I found a really good ALTtext generator. Free for first 25 pictures then £2.34 for 50 credits. Small price to most for accessibility. No excuses now 😊
#AI
#accesibility
#ALTtext
#inclusion

alttext.ai

Eton College music teacher banned after searching ‘gay little boys’ on work laptop David Goode admits remorse over his actions but an investigation found there was a public interest in banning him from teaching for life

A reminder of the importance of safeguarding and why internet safe search filters on school equipment for staff as well as pupils needs to be in place.
Unfortunately having a clear DBS check can just mean they haven’t been caught yet. 🤮#safeguarding
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...

Good to see you yesterday. Congrats!!

Ofsted report cards: could police and fire systems point the way? Ahead of government and Ofsted consultations on a new school inspections system, Tes looks at whether other parts of the public sector offer some clues as to how it might look

What will the Ofsted Report Card look like when it starts being used in September 2025? We don't know for sure, but the model used by the police and fire services are already influential on early thinking.

Really useful piece ⬇️

www.tes.com/magazine/ana...