English teacher, head of department, geek, avid reader of books, blogger Blog: https://learningfrommymistakesenglish.blogspot.com/
2,204 followers 1,369 following 507 posts
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#peripeteia @teamenglish1.bsky.social @benniekara.bsky.social @xris32.bsky.social @mrsspalding.bsky.social @hugheshaili.bsky.social @heymrshallahan.bsky.social @saysmiss.bsky.social @ladyglencora.bsky.social @tomneedham.bsky.social CPD sessions relaunched this academic year. Details to follow
Remember likes on Blue Sky do nothing to promote discussion. If you want to use the platform to explore ideas you need to ideally quote tweet or just simply start talking not just liking.
This summer’s reading. A bit of a mixed bag.
Hamster Patreon Early release - Strictly S8! The Master! Autons! The Master! The Keller Machine! The Master! Axos! The Master! IMC! The Master! Azal! And of course the most important thing of the season - the Master! Also, the true villain of the piece - the Doctor! www.patreon.com/posts/strict...
This seems appropriate. It is just a piece of cloth … then blind your conscience to the end.
This seems appropriate. It is just a piece of cloth … then blind your conscience to the end.
Same here.
NEW* for June 2026 onwards: AQA Lang P1 specimen papers and accompanying PPT slide decks. I’ll add to this folder as I update them. Includes: ✅ Enduring Love ✅ Hound of the Baskervilles ✅ Whole Town’s Sleeping ✅To Kill a Mockingbird Help yourself 😊 www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/bd6qg...
Loved this film. Had a poster of it in my wall for years as a teen.
Lots of people are doing it wrong. In a nutshell
A 17 page report on speaking and listening. @AQA Finally seems that there is sea change about speaking and listening.
This year's GCSE results reveal a slight narrowing of the regional divide in terms of the proportion of students achieving a grade 4 or above www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Introducing our new series of brief (15-min) @ippr.org podcasts looking at different aspects of what inclusion in education means now … and how it could look in the future. First conversation is with national SEND expert @mmulholland.bsky.social: open.spotify.com/episode/5G7A...
I often take myself for a day out exploring London. Yesterday I found a Moomin Shop in Covent Gardens.
Strictly Season Eight is on its way but we need to know what you think about the story! Just overview comments on the season if you will - what do you think of this transformative year of Who? Luke Molloy @tobyhadoke.bsky.social @xris32.bsky.social
Our analysis of GCSE results day 2025 is now out. 🔸 Grades are up very slightly from last year 🔸 The gender gap in grading is closing 🔸 Entries to triple science are down and double up 🔸 Re-take entries are up, but grades remain low vist.ly/445pr
Shout out to the late, lovely, @missdcox - who on GCSE results day(s) would spend hours collating links and info for us all. I’ve tried to do my best here- trythisteaching.com/toolkit/post...
Enjoyed the Merry Wives of Windsor today. First time watching this one. @globetheatrelive.bsky.social
Chloe Woodhouse is your person. @mrsspalding will help you connect, I am sure
@mrsspalding.bsky.social @funkypedagogy.bsky.social @xris32.bsky.social @engteacherabro2.bsky.social please could you share this? Am keen to connect with schools already using reciprocal reader 😊 thanks!
New post Link below ⬇️ substack.com/inbox/post/1...
Agree. Think it would make a great series of films
Ready to Teach - The Merchant of Venice is shaping up nicely. 100,000 words and rising. @spryke2.bsky.social @hlearningpd.bsky.social
Nine months ago I quit my job with no plan. I hit 108kg, felt broken, and could barely shuffle through Couch to 5k. Today I weigh 90kg, run parkrun in 26 mins, have a book coming out, two novels drafted, and a half marathon ahead. Rock bottom was the launchpad. open.substack.com/pub/daviddid...
Today’s reading
Which character from literature resembles you the most? I’d have to do say Edmund from the Chronicles of Narnia? Happily betray from sibling for some Turkish delight.
Read most of them but this is the one that sticks the most. Some of the imagery
It is my personal favourite.
I’ve nothing against the subjects doing well and I understand the power of earnings prospects in A Level choices, but this graph saddens me and it feels like we have a job to do as schools to communicate the value of the subjects in blue and as a society to learn it. www.bbc.com/news/article...
I created a Starter pack on SEND in England. It's for professionals and families go.bsky.app/RUAW7ML If you'd like adding, give us a wave in the replies.
Lads the HONK I just honked
Plus Pike’s hair. I’m tempted to ask for that cut in a barbers
I agree that the Spook romance plot grates a bit but I think the character interplay is great. Discovery was a bit too dour and SNW has an element of fun about it.
Trying to work out if you are Vulcan or Cyberman! Loved Lower Decks too but because revelled in Easter eggs. Had to watch a Trek Culture YouTube episode after each one.
Scary and bizarre
If you would like your pupils to come back to school to a letter from an author about the joys and benefits of reading for pleasure, just email or DM me.
Suggested reading books for children aged 13-14 in Year 9 in KS3 including texts by Patrick Ness, Gary Paulsen, Mary Shelley and Harper Lee schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-list... #ukedchat #kidlit
My chapter with @chloeharrison.bsky.social on Cognitive Grammar in literary analysis has now been published in this wonderful collection edited by Jan Alber and Ralf Schneider. An honour to be part of such a stellar line-up of authors. www.routledge.com/The-Routledg...
Dragon every time
Taken from contributions from nationwide colleagues sharing their thoughts from long careers. Didn't quite get to 1000 years of experience, but have been revisiting their contributions. chrischiversthinks.weebly.com/blog-thinkin...
I’ve been in training all year - and I’m glad to now finally declare myself beach body ready.
I highly recommend English teachers follow this account. I read their magazine Silly Linguistics and thoroughly enjoy it.
It's the summer holidays, which means I have a copy of Primary Reading Simplified to give away. Simply **repost** this post for your chance to win. I will pick a winner on Sunday 17th August. Good luck!
Taking on a new pastoral role this September? Wanting to move towards a pastoral role this year in your career development? This little book might just help you out 👇🏻 amzn.to/40SjV9q
***New Post*** greeborunner.substack.com/p/whos-voice...
🎉 Steplab Summer Reads #4 Win a copy of "Developing Expert Teaching" by Peps Mccrea—plus a Steplab bundle (mug, pen & notepad)! Peps is Steplab’s Director of Education & author of the "High Impact Teaching" series. ✅ Follow ❤️ Like 🔁 Share 🏆 Winner announced Friday!
**New blog** - It's been a while so reposts hugely appreciated. primarycolour.home.blog/2025/08/01/t...
Oh blimey, I've caved and started a S*bstack! You can find my first post in the link below ⬇️ On the importance of teacher voices: Ultreia
I do lots of running over the holidays and see lots of interesting sights. However, this was the strangest - a burnout car in Wales.
🔗 Useful link 🔗 Curious about how AI could support your teaching? The Chartered College shares training and resources that may be useful for exploring its potential in education. Take a look 👉 chartered.college/news-blogs/a... #Litdrive
This! Sign up! 🥳
I wish. First week of September
One more get up. This is how I feel.
Where can we watch it?
The end of term and I am prepared.
@The_Globe Saw Romeo and Juliet today. Great production but I am going to single out the stage manager and support staff. They helped me so much today. Fantastic team of people. Exemplary support. A big thank you.
In her talk on Dickens, Physiognomy, and the Dirty-Faced Figure, the brilliant Lillian Nayder looks at the distribution of the word dirty-faced across texts. Dirt on the face can become part of the embodied self. #DickensSociety2025
Calling all teachers! Do you currently teach? Do you like talking? Do you like teaching? Do you enjoy connecting with fellow educators from around the world? Why not host on TTR! Click here to apply to host your regular show: www.ttradio.org/contact
My last 3Rs newsletter of the academic year - feat: A book review of ‘The Genius Myth’ by @helenlewis.bsky.social, writing on mindfulness in schools & AI’s impact on English coursework. It links to the new DfE ‘Writing Framework’, along with research on autism: alexquigley.co.uk/the-3rs-read...
Thinking of you
Had some sad news a couple of days ago, so apropos of all of that, if anyone finds themselves needing some support, remember it's out there. www.samaritans.org
NEW POST #Disciplinary_literacy: more on challenging texts in the classroom; ensuring that pupils are reading 'actively' and thinking hard. All part of good #adaptive_teaching! jamesdurran.blog/2025/07/08/d...
*** FREE WEBINAR *** Retrieval practice for GCSE Geography I'll be exploring the pitfalls of retrieval practice and how to avoid them. 16.15 - 17.15 on the 8th July With @carousel-learning.bsky.social www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/retrieval-...
Today’s reading.
*NEW* for 2026 onwards: updated and some brand new specimen AQA Lang P2s with accompanying PPT slide decks to support teaching. Help yourself 😊 #teamenglish www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/egpxh...
The DfE has published its new Writing Framework, which has been co-created with input from a range of sector experts, including academics, leading practitioners, the EEF, Ofsted, and other stakeholders, including me! 😊 Find out more here: www.gov.uk/government/p...
*FREE WRITING WEBINAR RECORDING* At Stanley Road, we have developed an approach to writing that we believe aligns with many elements included in the DfE's Writing Framework. If you'd like to watch a webinar on this, complete the form at this link... forms.gle/c66cnHyKTdZz...
Agree 100%
A few pieces over the last few weeks, including ex HMCI for Ofsted, prompted this.
Hello children's book lovers. Here's my final Reading Matters children's book news round up to help you catch up with what you may have missed. Awards news, summer reading ideas and book suggestions to tempt! #UKKidLit alibrarylady.blog/2025/07/05/r...
Hi Bluesky people 👋 Here’s my latest post on school leadership birminghamteacher.wordpress.com/2025/07/06/s...
In case you missed it, yesterday we launched The Talking Point 2025. We hope the journal will serve as ‘talking points’, prompting conversation in your staff room about how best to provide students with a high-quality oracy education 🗣️ Read it here 👉 voice21.org/voice-21-lau...
Enjoy the sunshine and enjoy this review from @pnjfoster.bsky.social
'How do we ensure reading in schools is purposeful?' by @MrCranePE A helpful blog - with a focused school example - of deliberate reading routines. This can be particularly useful for secondary schools who can leave reading instruction to chance. classteaching.wordpress.com/2025/06/18/h...
Huge thank you to Jo Brassington & Dr Adam Brett for their brilliant review of #ItsMoreThanFlagsandRainbows by @itimbrell.bsky.social! 📚 Have you picked up your copy yet? This must-have guide for building inclusive schools launched yesterday, & you can get your copy now at: buff.ly/yKlHGrH #Edusky
Errrr
Oooo no. Where is it?
Starting to think Skynet taking over is caused by teachers using AI. It got fed up with teachers making random pictures and worksheets.
Our Year 7s perform some Shakespeare scenes to the Year 6s. It has been done for decades. They love it. A bit of fun and they get to see what they do next year.
I count myself lucky to call these women friends. English teachers are great!
New from me - Testing the Temperature open.substack.com/pub/shaunall...
New post. Difficult conversations about Special Educational Needs. "What are the potential benefits? What are the risks? bennewmark.wordpress.com/2025/06/24/d...
As a parent of two premature children, this really pleased me to see. Based on years of research. All too often we focus on consequences rather than the causes.
I apologise for being quiet on here. Been running and raising money for this charity close to my heart. Hoping to get to 100k next week. If you can spare a pound, I’d be grateful. socialsync.app/fundraiser/c...
On the seductive nature of mock exams and why we need to resist it open.substack.com/pub/daviddid...
An essay on flood myths open.substack.com/pub/daviddid...
It is the way I want to leave when I retire or leave my job. No trite speech. Just driving off in a black cab on my terms.
Excellent post on ‘How to read and why’. The points about how books are so incredibly dense with information compared to alternatives like a podcast, along with the transitoriness of an audiobook, both struck me.
Interesting set of pictures from Pieter Bruegel exploring the Seven Deadly Sins A picture of lots of examples of pride. Source: christianjamesstudioyear3.wordpress.com/2019/01/31/t...
We are extending our internal Alternative Provision and so need an extra specialist Teaching and Learning Assistant with a specialism in Forest School or Horticulture. It’s a lovely job working with some lovely students. mynewterm.com/jobs/112989/...
One for anyone teaching the poem Tissue www.historydefined.net/kamikaze-pil...
Teaching Shakespeare creates an understanding of human nature, and the Parr Prize for Excellence in Teaching Shakespeare honors the efforts of educators who bring his works to life in their classrooms. More at @parr-shakespeare.bsky.social or www.parrshakespeare.org
🔗 Useful link 🔗 “Efficiency is a problem that’s hidden in English...” How do we move students beyond plot recall and technique-spotting to something deeper? This powerful read from Chris Curtis @Xris32 reframes how we teach authorial intent. 📖 Read now: t.co/Kxu7mDeugg #LitdriveCPD #EnglishCPD
Convincing students about the importance of studying English literature isn’t always easy – but it’s a subject that perhaps teaches the most valuable skill of all, writes teacher Jack Dempsey
Yes. Loved Kindred
Today’s reading
READING RECOMMENDATIONS TERM 6: This term's version of reading recommendations. Follow the link and click to download. #Engchat #Engchatuk learningfrommymistakesenglish.blogspot.com/2024/06/read...
