Deputy CEO, Education & Research @CharteredColl. Former teacher. Posts too many animal photos.
Cornwall, UK
- Tweets 13,624
- Following 4,667
- Followers 10,521
- Likes 28,470
This is spectacular. Jasper reminds me of one of my dogs, Sir Robert of Biscuits (ok, according to the rescue centre, just Biscuit, but whatever, he’s Bobby Biscuits to us)
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When you have to persuade other walkers that no, your dog hasn’t collapsed, he’s just really cheeky and has discovered that lying on the floor is a really good way to make you carry him instead of him having to walk. Thanks Simon.
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I’m not sure it’s sunk in, but luckily Mr Scutt was on hand to support when I found out I’d been awarded an MBE: ‘What does that stand for? Most Boring in Education?’
Genuinely, quite overwhelmed - and will continue to do all I can to support teachers!
schoolsweek.co.uk/academy-tr…
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Our biggest worry when we adopted Niamh as an ‘older dog’ (7+) from @DogsTrust 12 years ago was that we wouldn’t have long with her. Today, aged 19, we had to say goodbye to her, and it still wasn’t long enough. She went from living in a shed to being a brave little adventurer ❤️
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She is glorious and making progress, one day at a time. Our Emmie (from Bosnia) was in some ways quite different as she was hyperactive rather than reserved, but equally very anxious about many things and she still isn’t a fan of the world beyond our fields, but she’s happy!
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Husband just called me downstairs sounding all worried. Apparently one of our dogs won’t eat his dinner.
I’d be more worried about this if I had not, y’know, fed all the dogs an hour previously.
Top marks to them for play-acting ‘starving unfed dogs’ so successfully. Again.
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Delighted that next month I'll become Deputy CEO of @CharteredColl, alongside my excellent long-time colleague @jenbaxter99. Having been at the College since it opened six years ago, I am so proud to have been part of its development to date and looking forward to the future!
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Today I milked a yak, drank traditional ‘vodka’ made from fermented mare’s milk, rode for hours and read the brilliant ‘The Humans’ by @matthaig1 in a part of Mongolia that is inaccessible by car. Thoroughly recommend the yak milking, book, riding and Mongolia; less so the vodka.
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Pretty excited about (and proud of) our new publication on teacher CPD. We’ve been beavering away on it at @CharteredColl for a while - now free to download at chartered.college/internatio…, with 196 pages of articles and case studies from international researchers and practitioners!
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I suspect the only people more relieved than my that I passed my doctorate today with minor corrections are my long-suffering supervisors… for whom I am ever grateful, along with everyone else who has helped me along the way! Now, which comes first in postnoms, PhD or MBE? 🤣
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In my view, any journalists / politicians who’ve seen anything other than the whole teaching profession giving every ounce of energy and expertise, in hugely challenging circumstances, to support their pupils... clearly haven’t been looking very hard. What have I seen? [thread]
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In 2010 we adopted Dog No 2 as an ‘older dog - 7+’ from @DogsTrust @DT_Harefield. We thought that at least we could give her a few years of a happy life. 9 years later and she’s still loving every minute. This weekend she’s on a camping and canoeing trip in Wales.
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After a great Early Career Framework meeting yesterday I realised how quickly its roll-out in Sept is approaching. So I updated this @CharteredColl reading list to include everything (ish) schools need to know, including policy, news, views and research! my.chartered.college/2020/02…
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I will get back to all of you who have sent such lovely messages about my MBE (your belief that I deserve it means a lot, as I am not at all sure I do!) but in the mean time, I am celebrating with a bottle of ‘custom’ champagne courtesy of my lovely friend @AnacondaAli80! Cheers!
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I've just added loads more links to this list of research, views, blogs, courses, resource lists etc related to online / home learning during school closures. I'd love to include more examples of approaches from schools - let me know if you've blogged. my.chartered.college/2020/03…
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Now seems like a good time to say I’m really pleased to be writing a book for @JohnCattEd - predictably, about teacher CPD! It will include lots of vignettes from schools - if you’re taking an evidence-informed approach to CPD and would be interested to share it, please message!
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I've been revisiting reports, research and blogs about evidence and research use in education over the last few days, so I made a curated reading list for the @CharteredColl. Covering the what, why and how of evidence-informed practice - it got quite long! my.chartered.college/2019/09…
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So... he’s here! After 30 years of riding I am officially the owner of an actual, real life, genuine horse. I was literally shaking with nerves waiting for him to arrived but he seems to have settled ok! Hello Buddy!
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Used this graphic today to highlight that evidence-informed practice is about both research evidence and teacher professional judgment. This version was from @CharteredColl Impact, but originally from my chapter in Primary Teaching: Learning and Teaching in Primary Schools Today.
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I’ve been asking for a pony for Christmas for quite literally 30 years and have been begging / borrowing / loaning for most of the intervening period... now seemed like the time to finally bite the bullet and get my own. Meet Buddy - all being well he’ll here with me next week!
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My parents are visiting for Christmas and my dad and my rescue terrier, Simon, absolutely love each other.
I have just come downstairs to find them reading the newspaper together. And yes, my dad had put a pet-themed article out for him to read too.
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Many steps left to go before (hopefully) actually completing VERY pleased to have submitted my PhD thesis (a whole 6 hours before the deadline, too!)
Huge thank you to the many many people who have contributed and supported over the last far-too-many years!
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Will you have an NQT on your staff next year? Interested in being part of @CharteredColl @EducEndowFoundn pilot of online early career teacher mentor training? We’re seeking 20 schools to be part of the pilot, with online support for your mentors and NQTs: chartered.college/applicatio…
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ICYMI: I've curated a list of interesting reading, research, blogs and more around teaching remotely, supporting home learning, online learning, supporting teacher and pupil wellbeing remotely, online CPD for teachers and more for @CharteredColl at: my.chartered.college/2020/03… (1/n)
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To support reflection on today’s @educationgovuk announcement I’ve made a reading list for @CharteredColl of research and articles relating to ideas on “catch-up” and recovery - including links around tutoring, summer schools, transition (and critiques!): my.chartered.college/2020/06…
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Last night I took my own actual real life pony for a canter on an actual real life beach and as someone who has dreamt of this since I was about 5, it was pretty awesome.
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I've been revisiting research on developing a strong professional culture in schools lately, so I gathered together some of the things I've read in a reading list for @CharteredColl. CPD, collaboration, behaviour, workload, leadership, evaluation and more! my.chartered.college/2019/10…
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Added to our new @CharteredColl online journal site just in time for #UKEdResChat: our downloadable education research terms poster
impact.chartered.college/art…
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Heartbroken to say that after 13 years together, we had to say goodbye to our rescue collie Bryn Dog / Dog No 1.
He was the best of dogs. He loved walks, toys, his doggy friends, and he trusted us enough to do everything we asked - from canoeing to being on the radio.
[thread]
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What a lovely sunny afternoon at Buckingham palace celebrating receiving my MBE! (My mum enjoyed it too, she just refuses to smile for the camera)
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I’m hugely proud that we have over 30,000 members who are benefiting from - and recognise the value of - the @CharteredColl, and that we’re financially sustainable so that we’ll continue making a difference going forward. But we’re also more than just our membership figures. 1/n
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Consider this my Twitter ‘out of office’ - off for two weeks of horseback safari in South Africa and Botswana. It’s been rebooked many times over the last two years so it’s amazing to finally be going!
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Someone asked earlier for links to things about the Early Career Framework. I got slightly carried away on the train, so now on the @CharteredColl site of is a list of 50+ links to DfE policy docs, articles, news, views, and research related to the ECF: my.chartered.college/2020/02…
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There’s lots of amazing free teacher CPD webinars on offer. My awesome colleague has created listings of what’s coming up, all in one place - so far including @researchEdhome, @TeacherDevTrust, @SenecaLearn, @ChilternTSA and @CharteredColl ones of course. my.chartered.college/events/
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My oldest dog (18ish) had a mini-stroke this morning. She’s had them before; this one seems to have been quite mild, and she seems OK now.
Afterwards, two of the others came and cuddled up with her. I’m sure it’s just because she had the best bed and blanket but nevertheless ❤️
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One of the ‘highly proficient kayakers’ mentioned in this news article for spotting the stranded teenagers was Mr Scutt and I suspect he’s now going to be unbearable today. bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-co…
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I’ve just had my application to volunteer at an otter sanctuary in Brazil for a week accepted, and I’m going to be honest, I’m not sure I’ve ever been so thrilled.
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As you can see, my horse is thrilled that it’s nearly Halloween and another opportunity for me to make him look ridiculous.
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It’s Simon’s first ‘gotcha’ day today. Here he is on the day we collected him from the rescue centre a year ago, followed by a short thread of photos from his first year with us of him doing the things he most likes to do. 1/n
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Used my dad’s frequent flyer points for lounge access so 5am pink fizz it is! Off for 10 days of horse riding in Ecuador - somewhere I have dreamt of visiting since I was about 8 and obsessed with Willard Price’s ‘Amazon Adventure’!
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OBVIOUSLY won’t have enough to do post-PhD (ahem) so I’m pleased to say we’ve just completed purchase of a rather glorious but currently not very habitable barn conversion with several very steep, overgrown fields for the ponies and dogs and a back gate onto Bodmin Moor… 😬
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The @CharteredColl have just announced we’re working with @wellcometrust to pilot subject-specific, online teacher journal clubs. Primary or secondary science teacher? Why not get involved! Also seeking keen research users as facilitators #cogscisci chartered.college/join-scien…
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Publication day of Issue 10 (I’m sure you all got the X reference!) seems a good time to reflect on how ‘Impact’ got to where it is. When I started at @CharteredColl in 2017, figuring out how we could make a journal that really meant something to teachers was my first task. (1/n)
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I’m always full of mildly-terrified anticipation on @CharteredColl Impact arrival day. I hope members enjoy reading it as much as we have putting it together - another amazing set of submissions in print and online at impact.chartered.college - guest editorial by @ProfDanielMuijs!
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Mum and I both on sparkling conversational form at the Royal Garden Party today; when introduced to the Duke of Gloucester, she explained snails' homing instincts, while I quoted findings from @worth_jack @TheNFER research on teachers' working hours. As you do.
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In case you think everyone’s doing 2020 amazingly, so far I’ve:
- Hit 200 unread work emails
- Twisted my ankle
- Reversed into someone’s car in a car park
- Lost the keys to 2 houses
- Bought the wrong gin AND the wrong tonic.
Minor in the grand scheme of things, but still.
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It’s been two years since our last science of learning issue - time for another one! And I’m hugely excited to have my hands on it in print now... coming through @CharteredColl members’ doors in a few days!
And, it starts with a fabulous editorial by @ProfDanielMuijs...
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OK, my last one of these for a while - a collection of suggested reading around building high expectations and challenge for all... a wide range of research and practice from motivation and mindset, to teacher expectations and desirable difficulties... my.chartered.college/2019/12…
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Because 3 rescue dogs just weren’t enough... err, welcome Simon. Fingers crossed he continues to get on well with the rest of the gang!
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8 years ago today we collected Biscuit Dog from @DogsTrust @DT_Harefield. He’s been causing trouble ever since, but we couldn’t love him more. He’s celebrating his Gotcha Day with a bag of special dog treats; the others are very jealous!
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I am so excited and honoured (and nervous) to be a keynote speaker at the inaugural ResearchED South West, taking place in Gloucester! Please come and support it - I’m a huge advocate for creating regional CPD opportunities like these for teachers.
🤩EXCITING NEWS! 🤩
🥁DRUM ROLL!!🥁
We are utterly thrilled that
The *INCREDIBLE* Haili Hughes @HughesHaili
and
The *FABULOUS* @CatScutt
Will be the @researchEdSW key note speakers! 😍
27th April!
Tix here ! eventbrite.co.uk/e/researche…
#researchED #researchEDSW
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I’m not saying this is in any way related to lockdown, but my phone now autocorrects ‘hi’ to ‘gin’.
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This is the face of an elf dog who has just been caught snaffling a roast potato off a plate. Simon is officially in disgrace.
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That moment when you bump into @jeremycorbyn on a packed train and rather than talking about something important like education and the work of the @CharteredColl, all you can think of to say is 'the super off-peak is always really busy on bank holiday weekends'.
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With thanks to @adamboxer1 whose excellent collection got me started - another collection of suggested reading, this time on cognitive science in education. More suggestions welcome! Research and blogs galore on retrieval, dual coding, CLT, myths and more: my.chartered.college/2019/12…
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My slides on ‘Building an evidence-informed culture in your school’ from #rEDBerks are here - everything I didn’t quite manage to have time for is there! bit.ly/CatPPT
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So, the @CharteredColl teacher CPD report I had the privilege of editing last year is now an actual print book thanks to @JohnCattEd - available to buy online soon! My dogs are pretty thrilled, as you can see...
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I can’t pretend that the 2.5 years since @CharteredColl launched have been entirely easy. But for various reasons, I’m reflecting tonight that I feel incredibly proud of what our staff & members have already achieved, and excited for what’s coming up. Teachers: you are amazing.
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Thanks everyone who joined tonight’s predictably lively (!) @CharteredColl #ITTmarketreview Q&A webinar. Please make sure you respond - crucial to hear the profession’s voices. Full consultation here or you can also email views! consult.education.gov.uk/itt…
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New on the @CharteredColl early career hub is an excellent set of blogs on applying Rosenshine in different subjects, phases and settings. With contributions from @sputniksteve @juliangrenier @BexN91 @adamboxer1 @SMSAteaching @missdcox @drjessm and more! earlycareer.chartered.colleg…
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Just received my @TeacherTapp ‘featured blog’ badge.
Finally, something to put inside my Record of Achievement folder alongside my 10 metre swimming badge.
Might crack open the Prosecco...
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Finnnallly finished our second sitting room (’snug’, I suspect they’d call it on Escape to the Country?) after months of damp treating / rewiring / plastering / painting. Obviously the dog has absolute no interest in the dog bed, but he seems quite enamoured with the sofa...
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My PhD thesis needs to be handed in in mid-January and I am simultaneously very stressed about finishing it, pre-emptively euphoric about the idea of not having it constantly on my to-do list after 9 years on and off (!), and terrified that it’s nothing like good enough…
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I remember being simultaneously ecstatic, disbelieving and utterly terrified when I was offered the job of Director of Education and Research at @CharteredColl three and ago. We had a mountain to climb but a bold vision and an amazing team and members - so proud to be part of it.
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Weekend target: write 3000 words of PhD in order to actually get it to supervisors a week before supervision. Wish me luck!
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Tonight, I will sleep the sweet sweet sleep of a woman who has been horse riding 4 times this weekend, who has had a large gin and tonic, and, most importantly, who does not have a bat in her bedroom. Never again shall I take that for granted.
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It's been a few weeks since I last did one of these - my latest collection of suggested reading, this time (as requested by @CharteredColl members) around parental engagement. Research, blogs and more, exploring key ideas and sharing practice: my.chartered.college/2019/12…
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Today is graduation for the first cohort of #CTeach Chartered Teachers from @CharteredColl. It’s been an absolute privilege developing the programme - and its success has been due not just to the amazing staff team, but to all our members who have supported the programme... 1/n
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"Used badly, even the most perfectly conceived piece of edtech will have no impact... Conversely, very simple tools can be used to huge effect when deployed thoughtfully by a teacher in the pursuit of effective practices." My @tes #edtech article today: tes.com/news/teachers-are-ce…
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Oh, and if anyone didn’t realize yet, @CharteredColl Impact is also available online... a couple of articles each issue are open access, then as a member you can access everything in the print issue plus a whole load of extras! impact.chartered.college
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Our EdTech special issue of @CharteredColl Impact is arriving in all schools at the end of the week, AND of course with members too (a bonus one on top of the usual termly issues!). Having seen the contents of the print and online editions, it’s fair to say I’m very excited...
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Just a normal Tuesday afternoon, collecting the royal charter for @CharteredColl with @_SarahHarrison...
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I've seen a couple of tweets today about research access, but also the challenges of finding time to make use of such access, so I thought I'd do a short thread highlighting some of the content and resources included in @CharteredColl membership that you might not know about! 1/n
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I am 100% blaming the fact that I had to bring photo ID for the #edtech50 launch for having impulse bought flights to Mongolia today as I had my passport details with me. Can’t wait for 12 days camping and trekking on horseback, with pack yaks accompanying, with @FarAndRide!
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Luton on Wednesday, London yesterday and Manchester today - I feel like Taylor Swift (kind of) and now slightly losing my voice, but an absolute pleasure and a privilege to talk to so many dedicated and knowledgeable teachers and leaders this week on behalf of @CharteredColl
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Set out to try to run my first ever 5k, accompanied by Dog No 3. Was feeling remarkably OK at the end of that so pushed on to 5 miles. Extremely slow, but pretty satisfying!
Now going to have a gin cocktail in my new gin cocktail set.
Not a bad birthday all in all.
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Back me up, Twitter... my amazing new skull shoes are TOTALLY fine for year round wear, not just Halloween, right?!
(And yes, the eyes have flashing red LEDs when you walk)
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I’m giving a brand new presentation tomorrow for @researchedhome (tackling the slightly nebulous concept of collaboration) and what this mostly means is that I am currently mostly frozen with nerves. Nevertheless, please do join me!
If you're wondering what's happening next week on #rEDHome, here is another fantastic programme:
cutt.ly/3yLsWiH
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In theory there are plenty of beds for all of the dogs in our household this Christmas.
But obviously premium sleeping sports are in short supply, so all the dogs seem to feel they have to share beds.
Apart from my parents’ dog, who has stolen dad’s bed. #DuvetKnowItsChristmas
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Graduation day for #CTeach seems like a great day for a mega-thread on how you too can achieve Chartered Status as an expert, evidence-informed teacher or leader through our new, super-flexible model… or support your colleagues to do it! (1/who knows how many…)
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Accidentally took a photo that looks like an inspirational poster for ‘teamwork’ or ‘collaboration’.
It’s a shame what it actually shows is Dog No 3 watching Dog No 1 do all the hard work then jumping in at the end to steal a share of the glory...
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Completely ignored Couch to 5k plan and did my longest run ever tonight - 32 mins - thanks to @cathmurray_ as my virtual running buddy! I’m ignoring how much further than me she went... ;-)
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Thank you everyone for the kind words! I’m celebrating in classic style with Prosecco and crisps in bed in a hotel in Gloucester with my edu-bestie @KarenWespieser ahead of tomorrow’s @researchEDSW conference.
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This week @CharteredColl we announced some exciting news that makes achieving Chartered Status more flexible, affordable and accessible for teachers and leaders. We are now offering a self-paced route to Chartered Teacher and Chartered Teacher (Leadership) Status. <thread> 1/?
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The one night in the year I get out of my PJs! Always lovely to catch up with the other judges and pretend to be half-glamorous (and briefly forget about tomorrow’s PhD hand-in deadline…) #bettawards2024
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When you’re obliged to have a lie-in and breakfast in bed because your tiny dog has decided he doesn’t want to get up yet, and though he’s small, he’s mighty...
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My mum writes her shopping list with multiple items on each line (no punctuation).
Great for the environment, but I’ve a horrible feeling that I’ve bought salad, dressing, potatoes, bread, almonds and milk when she actually wanted salad dressing, potato bread and almond milk...
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Not sure if she was inspired by @captaintommoore, but our 18-year-old @DogsTrust @dt_harefield dog has walked about 40 laps of our garden every day for the last few days, and she’s now cuddling up with her soft toy dog because she’s exhausted (but very happy).
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In case you are wondering about the weird background, this photo was taken in my wonderful garden seat / gin tent, which, it has to be said, has really come into its own during sunny lockdown...
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I’ve found it hard to find words to express how I’ve felt about this over the past months and days. Utterly tragic and heartbreaking. It has long been clear that our accountability system needs to change. Shocked at the lack of action and responsibility from Ofsted in response.
This judgement by senior coroner Heidi Connor - based on a finding of facts in the death of #ruthperry - unequivocally links her deteriorating state of mind and death to the Ofsted inspection which was at times rude & intimidating, lacked fairness, respect and sensitivity
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LinkedIn has just informed me today is my 4th anniversary of working at the @CharteredColl full time (after a few weeks moonlighting). It’s been a pretty awesome (and busy) four years - this week alone we launched two #cteach programmes and a research report! What a privilege.
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I’m going to trial a new exercise-and-healthy-eating motivation tool. It’s called ‘Finally found and bought this Ted Baker blazer I have wanted for 8 years but it’s a size too small’. I suspect are few better motivators than the need for a zebra, chameleon and unicorn jacket.
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I'm sure in a few years I'll have got used to the excitement of @CharteredColl Impact journal issues landing, but not just yet. I've been on the road for a few days so haven't seen this term's 'in print' yet, but I know what's inside, and I reckon you'll enjoy it...
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The @CharteredColl is 7 this week! It somehow feels like both a few months ago and a lifetime ago that we launched to members - I’m so privileged to be part of it.
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