We have GOT to sort out language learning so it's not a dead end after GCSE, with no mainstream pathways.
A Level and specialist language degrees for the tiny few are lovely. Well, actually, A Level is barely suitable for the tiny few.
More 16-19 year olds do Duolingo than do A Level languages.
A young filmmaker has created a documentary about TfL’s recent changes to the W12, W13 and W14 bus routes
swvg.co.uk/?p=12063
Redbridge Council has published the Principal Inspection Report for Broadmead Road bridge
swvg.co.uk/?p=12037
Woodbridge High School is raising funds for the refurbishment of its sports hall.
“The heating system requires repair and the gym floor, which is currently unusable, needs replacing.
swvg.co.uk/2025/02/27/w...
‘Many teachers don’t want to do this, but they’re trapped’: film shows extent of Putin indoctrination in Russian schools
Overjoyed to announce my first non-fiction book! A YEAR OF PRIDE & JOY features 52 LGBTQ+ folk talking about what brings them joy. Beautiful artwork by @ruthburrows.bsky.social & published by Magic Cat. Out April! Aimed at 8-12 yo but perfect for anyone who needs some JOY in their lives!
School funding is set to be at its lowest rate since at least 2010.
Making Chancellor Reeves the first Labour Chancellor since 1979 to force schools to make cuts.
Tell your MP you won’t stand for it:https://buff.ly/4hxpRdS
Ahead of publication of his stunning new LGBTQ+ WW1 YA novel, The Boy I Love, @whusseyauthor.bsky.social has recommended some other historical LGBTQ+ novels on the @waterstones.bsky.social blog… some fab choices, and he kindly includes my own Boy Like Me.
www.waterstones.com/blog/william...
New research released today by @schoolcuts.bsky.social coalition shows that the vast majority of schools will not be able to afford their costs next year.
Full comment: tinyurl.com/yc4kcvh9
@neunion.bsky.social @naht.org.uk @ngauk.bsky.social and Parentkind
Schools face a £700 million funding gap next year, with three in four primary schools and almost all secondaries facing not being able to meet costs, new analysis from the union @schoolcuts.bsky.social coalition suggests
schoolsweek.co.uk/most-schools...
The outlook for school funding in 25-26 is worrying. The funding settlement won’t be enough to pay the planned pay rises and manage other increasing costs. If we’re not investing in our children’s education as a way to improve society, then what’s the point? www.theguardian.com/education/20...
For someone with aspirations to be a head, I've been increasingly concerned by retention of heateachers. This month I'm starting a 58 week podcast series where I spend 30 mins with a head from every county in England hearing the reality of the job. First episode at the end of Jan
#Ofsted chief Sir Martyn Oliver answered MPs' questions about inspection changes today. Here’s what we learned, from the content of the new report cards to a focus on vulnerable pupils and the introduction of annual safeguarding checks…
We made it through to the end of term! When you’re struggling to remember why you do this job, you get sent the end-of-term newsletter and you’re filled with pride and you remember what matters… Team Woodbridge, you’re amazing. 💚 www.woodbridgehigh.co.uk/attachments/...
"The inadequacy of the proposed pay award is compounded by the government’s intention that schools should foot the bill out of their existing allocations...This is the exact opposite of fixing the foundations."
Our full comment on Bridget Phillipson's submission to the #STRB: ow.ly/VUJi50Uox6F
Mad week. Some very difficult decisions. But two good things happened: a group of very sweet Y7s want to start a campaign to save the NHS. They have a clipboard and everything… And today I met the students who have the most Achievement
Points this week. One student’s advice to me: ‘keep smiling’. 💚
They would be very good speeches! But glad you’re staying put for now…
Unions have urged schools still using performance-related pay (PRP) to ditch the 'shoddy practice', after polling reveals some have retained it
We definitely be worried about next year’s funding allocations. Maintained schools will shortly be setting budgets for 25-26 and indications show that we will have to make cuts, again... A 1% increase in funding will not cover inflationary costs, let alone any pay rises for Sept 25.
For anyone interested in finding out more about The Maintained School Collective make sure you go to www.maintainedschoolcollective.com and signed up to the mailing list!
Out of school for a few days and can’t wait to get back tomorrow. The thing I’m actually looking forward to most is teaching my Y9 class… Loving being back teaching MFL again this year!
🚨🚨 #MFLBlueSky 🚨🚨 don't forget to advocate for our subject in the Curriculum Review
consult.education.gov.uk/curriculum-a...
⭐️ You don't need to complete all boxes ⭐️ Deadline Fri 22 Nov 📌
#Languages
This is a very sensible decision. The requirement was limiting schools’ willingness to provide training placements and was causing so much anxiety. It was also nonsense…
Secondary head here
Nervous day yesterday waiting for confirmation that we have enough enrolments to make Sixth Form viable and allow subjects to run. Given the financial situation, this is a crucial issue as you are never certain how many students you will have, and a shortfall will cause big budget issues next year.
As a Germanist ... of course ... but
www.theguardian.com/education/ar...
#BlueSkyMFL #germanteachers
Having the exam results in the same week would make a massive difference. I think there would be a majority of schools in favour. It’s the exam boards that don’t want it.
If there's a real desire to address the workload of leaders then one area would be to put
GCSE/ Post 16 results in the same week &/or into term time. Every summer they rip out 2 weeks of the break - perhaps not in school but in terms of headspace.
This is worrying. The school library is so often a safe space for LGBTQ+ young people. The books they find there can help them to feel less alone, and can show them a way to a happy future. We must never go backwards on this. www.attitude.co.uk/culture/hear...
It’s about time we made a better case for German in schools, especially state schools. There were 2,261 A Level entries, but only about 1,000 of them came from schools where they had entries in all of the last three years.
www.theguardian.com/education/ar...
