Claire Smith

Had coffee this morning with a mum I often see on the school run, but don't know well. I did not expect our conversation to turn to a full rundown of Margaret Atwood's greatest works, but I'm so pleased it did! I'm now thinking about setting up a school run book club!

All schools in England to be given AI-generated pupil attendance targets Unions decry move, saying it will put more pressure on headteachers without tackling absence from classrooms

Is there a school in this land that isn't already working incredibly hard on attendance? How is an AI target going to help the child who can't get to school because they're caring for a sick parent? Or the child whose anxiety prevents them leaving the house? www.theguardian.com/education/20...

The book 'The Red House Mystery' by AA Milne, with cup of tea next to it.

Hands up if you didn't know AA Milne wrote books for grownups too! (Obviously, Winnie the Pooh is great for grownups, but you know what I mean.) Found 'The Red House Mystery" in Oxfam and it's really rather enjoyable #mysterylit #oxfam

Birthday cake with 'Birthday Most Unladylike' iced on it, with a magnifying glass, footprints and blood splatter.

Ready for 10YO to become 11YO! #murdermostunladylike @redbreastedbird.bsky.social

Not an expert in the field but I suspect teachers and schools already KNOW which students are struggling with reading. What they need are solutions. Such as funding for libraries with librarians.

So tempted to jump in with a note about allergies, dietary requirements, promoting healthy lifestyles, etc. but the class WhatsApp group is like a nest of vipers. Have emailed school with positive feedback instead - let schools know you're on their side!

School have sent out a message asking people to stop sending tons of sweets in to school for birthdays. Class WhatsApp group is going mad. 'What is the world coming to?', they ask. 'This is really sad'. 'But school will still allow cake sales - how is that fair?'

Diorama of a London underground station being used as shelter during the Blitz.

10YO is learning about WWII this term, so we're reading 'When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit' by Judith Kerr together. Handily, this month's Aquila magazine (which I generally highly recommend) is on WWII, so we knocked up a little diorama at the weekend.

#aquilamagazine #TheBlitz #schoolhistory

10YO is in Year 6 now, and finally free of book bands! She was so excited to show me the Year 6 library. Why she hasn't been allowed near it in the previous five years at the school is a mystery to me 🙄

They say never meet your heroes, but 7YO was beside himself to meet Orinoco today #wombles #heightsofabraham

Tabby cat looks at a birthday candle stuck on a tin of tuna, with party hat and birthday card in the background.

Four months ago, my friend tearfully asked if we'd give one of her cats a home - she'd adopted a pair of kittens who just didn't get on once they'd reached maturity. We'd never had a pet before. We had to learn quickly.

Today, we celebrated Cat's 2nd birthday. We're all besotted.

#birthdaycat

Happy ‘it’s a bank holiday that’s why they’re not replying to your emails’ Day to all the freelancers! 🥳

Well, I wasn't expecting the latest Grimwood to lead to discussions with 7YO and 10YO about politics, but very glad it did! Another excellent story.

We've finally decided we're ready for Roald Dahl's 'The Witches' now. Just read the bit about how to recognise a witch. Both kids absolutely gripped 😊

A Box Full of Murders The first children's murder mystery from number-one-bestselling author of The Appeal, Janice Hallett, perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and Rhian Tracey. When Ava and Luke discover a mysterious box o...

Friend asked 10YO what type of books she likes best: "Mainly murder books. And books with a map in the front."

She's currently reading 'A Boxful of Murders' by Janice Hallett, which I'm definitely going to be reading after her!

www.penguin.co.uk/books/455649...

#kidlituk #mysterybooks

"Here's an incredibly wordy brief containing eleventy billion links to Teams folders I have not given you access to. I'm now out of office for a fortnight and I need all work completed for the day of my return."

Children are staying with grandparents, so it's remote bedtime story over video calling this week. Which means Grandma and Grandad are also getting to hear the new Grimwood and ALL the silly voices. 7YO is bringing them up to speed: "And then there's Sharon ..." 😆 #kidlituk #bedtimestory #awooga

SQUEEEE! New Grimwood is out! We're very excited - AWOOOOGA!! #grimwood #tedandnancy @nadiashireen.bsky.social

Last day of infants for 7YO - he's been so discombobulated the last couple of weeks and is definitely ready for some downtime. Funny how in times of transition, he reaches for comfort books. Lots of Wombles and Winnie the Pooh recently #kidlituk #comfortreads

If they could edit out any instance of Gregg describing a food as 'slippery', that would be very much appreciated by me. Been giving me the ick since long before he was outed as a wrong'un.

A train trip, a picnic and a 1.9 mile walk around a nature reserve with my Rainbows group today - not a single mention of tired legs! Ice lollies at the end a good incentive to keep moving #girlguidinguk #rainbows #gguk

7YO begged me for book four in Johnny Duddle's 'The Jolley-Rogers' series when he spotted it in WH Smiths yesterday. Had to um and ahh about it, you know, finances being what they are, but I didn't take much convincing! 😆

toppsta.com/books/series...

Devoured 'A Beginner's Guide to Breaking and Entering' by @andrewhunterm.bsky.social in a single sitting - loved it! Next on the TBR pile is a book I found in our community book swap by Marina Hyde - 'What Just Happened?!' Another one I'll be reading with the author's voice in my head 😀

Finally finished 'Americanah', by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Amazing. I'd happily read a book by Adichie twice the length. Now for something completely different - 'A Beginners Guide to Breaking and Entering' by Andrew Hunter Murray. And I'm totally hearing his voice as I read!

The Big State School Survey — The 93% Club The results are in. Here’s what state schoolers across the country really think.

The emphasis here on social connections is predictable but great to see it being highlighted.

When we talk to people about class – particularly young people - nepotism is always one of the biggest issues. Often THE biggest.

www.93percent.club/thebigstates...

Currently working with a school on their Clean Air campaign to reduce air pollution around school. Before I write a story, are there any books out there (KS1/KS2) that cover this topic in a not terrifying, not judging way? #kidlituk #cleanairday2025

The Runaway TARDIS (novel) The Runaway TARDIS was a novel released in 2020 by Quirk Books, as part of their Pop Classics range. It featured the Thirteenth Doctor with a new companion, Lizzie, a child who's run away from home. I...

I've just finished our space theme at Rainbows with a story about Dr Who, and now they can all do the vworps. #gguk #doctorwho #Rainbows #kidlituk

tardis.fandom.com/wiki/The_Run...

Unfortunately, hire transport is now prohibitively expensive for schools (and parents). If it's any consolation, I can guarantee the teachers aren't enjoying the taking children on public transport experience either!

Mug with 'Book Person' on it alongside a limited edition copy of 'Robin Hood: According to Spike Milligan'

Friday treat! #waterstones #Nottingham #limitededition

10YO is currently rattling through everything MG Leonard has ever written, and has also found time to read 'Peanut Jones and the Twelve Portals', by the fab @robbiddulph.bsky.social. Obviously, none of these books 'count' at school, because they are not out of her assigned Reading for Pleasure box 🙄

Friend recently asked me to read over a personal statement she's submitting as part of a PGCE application to teach art. I knew INSTANTLY she'd used AI. For a piece all about passion for art education, it was the most souless thing I'd ever read. But, she doesn't think she's good enough without AI 😟