School Principal and NAHT Past President . All views expressed are my own.
Sandbach, Cheshire, UK
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Since the new Ofsted framework was introduced @NAHTnews have campaigned for reform. At our annual conference I spoke about the unacceptable collateral damage the current framework was having on School Leaders physical and mental health and the direct action we can take.
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No Daily Telegraph, teachers do not demand that all schools stay closed. Teachers, parents and communities have a reasonable expectation that all schools should open safely.
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No other national newspaper has seen a steeper decline in readership in the last decade than The Sun. Headlines like the one below explain why. #teachersdontbuythesun.
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Post a photo that you took over half term which contains no people and no words. Edutwitter autumnal calm is a Sunday night thread I need to see.
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Suggesting that Headteachers should consider volunteers covering for highly skilled school staff says a great deal about how little the current Government understands the complexity of working with young people and how much they value the school workforce.
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The parents at our school surprised us yesterday with a bespoke piece of art featuring all of our team titled, “Our 2020 Lockdown Heroes”. Teachers and School Leaders have gone #AboveAndBeyond in the last four months. Thank you🙏
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6. There is going to be seven more days of intense speculation and a few more education relics might come out with inflammatory comments. Please try to step away from headlines and clickbait and focus on looking after yourselves, your families and your teams.
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Thread: Schools have stayed open on bank holidays and during two national lockdowns; and school leaders and admin staff have propped up a failing track and trace system for millions.
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The headline in today's Sunday Telegraph has caused a great deal of anxiety for Primary School Teachers here are my thoughts.....
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Osfted visited our school this week, I decided to speak out.
“We must make sure that Ofsted is proportionate, we do need an accountability system, but in its current guise it is not fit for purpose and is causing long term damage to teacher’s physical and mental well-being.” @NAHTnews
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.@Keir_Starmer challenging the Lichfield MP @Mike_Fabricant’s accusation that many nurses and teachers were drinking in staff rooms during Covid restrictions. c/o @SkyNews
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The moment when the Prime Minster realised that the food parcel images shared by parents this week, closely follow Government guidance.
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An incredible piece of stagecraft from @springsteen in Cardiff last night.
A request for “If I was the Priest” written on a placard led to @springsteen to turn to ask,
“can the E street band do it?”
They’d not played it live since the 70s.
They smashed it.
It made me cry.
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Today’s news about Jacinda Ardern stepping aside will have resonated with many working in our schools. How many dedicated teachers and school leaders are leaving their roles because they no longer have enough in the tank?
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.@BorisJohnson & @GavinWilliamson please learn lessons from well-intentioned but poorly executed centrally funded schemes like Eden Red free school meal vouchers and laptops. Step away from summer catch up and give schools the money to develop longterm bespoke tuition packages.
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November 7th 2020
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good
I'm feeling good
#bidenharis2020
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Minsters and Special Advisors should be very careful about resurrecting the term "blob" to deride our teaching profession. 10s of millions of parents know that we have their children and their families safety at the heart of all the decisions that we make.
dailymail.co.uk/news/article…
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Sinéad O’Connor was a rare talent who could strip back a song to its basic elements and improve the original.
Her ethereal cover of Elton John’s Sacrifice is incredible.
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FYI @GavinWilliamson our school, and many others opened, from 7:30am to 6pm, including every bank holiday and the Easter break; at the same time they fully engaged in remote learning and received no extra pay little little recognition. tes.com/news/coronavirus-wil…
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A number of School Leaders have shared their frustration with today’s KS2 reading test.
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ONE MILLION absent from school should be headline news across all platforms. Yet this is the first week for many months that I haven’t been asked to comment on pupil absences. Living with Covid does not mean accepting intolerable levels of pupil & staff absence as the norm.
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A "blob" of 120 School Leaders and Trade Union Officials met on Bank Holiday Friday to discuss how our schools can open safely with Dr Matt Butler. piped.video/K2bEm_NvIpc
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For a number of years @NAHTnews have campaigned to reduce the number of statutory assessments for primary aged children.
This week will be the last time children aged 6 and 7 in England will take statutory KS1 SATs tests. Optional test materials will be available in 2024.
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On the eve of the summer term there will many parents, teachers, school leaders & governors feeling anxious about a wider return to school. Every decision has been made in good faith and informed by context, guidance, consultations & capacity. Today is a day for mutual support.
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Today I appeared on #JeremyVine to talk about summer schools. @NAHTnews @RaeSnape @EducEndowFoundn @jandiamond76 @halfon4harlowMP @GavinWilliamson @RLong_Bailey @MikeAmesburyMP
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On Friday I was a Headteacher. Today I am a playworker, community support worker, e-learning teacher, cloud-based leader, and trade unionist. #LetsBeatThis #NHS ##StopTheSpread @NAHTnews
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Is your job #coronacritical? If the answer is no please let Headteachers prioritise the safe number of children to have in their school. #slowthespread
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The criteria about jobs should not be the main headline today, this should: "the government has asked parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and asked schools to remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend" gov.uk/government/publicatio…
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The majority of Primary Schools are not part of an academy trust, yet there appears to no leaders from the maintained sector, or serving Headteachers, on the panel advising the DFE about coronavirus guidance.
Meet the school leaders who have been advising the Department for Education on its school reopening plans
schoolsweek.co.uk/revealed-t…
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A thread about workload:
A current job advert for a Senior Leadership position has been widely shared on Social Media this weekend. The advert outlines clear expectations about daily working hours, Saturday work and being available in the holidays. 1/7
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After the most intense, exhausting and at times memorable 18 months of my professional life, Scotland’s restorative powers are working.
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Teachers and parents know that social distancing in our schools is near impossible. Good to hear @BBCNaga challenging Brandon Lewis about the Government guidance. @NAHTnews
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My first school residential visit to the Lake District since 2019 is exactly what every child should be offered as part of their recovery curriculum.
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@MattHancock you said on @SkyNews this morning that it is clear in @GavinWilliamson's guidance that one key worker with the other parent at home is not eligible for a school place. The guidance plainly does not say this and is not fit for purpose. @cmm could you pls intervene?
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Distilling the complex business of school performance into a single grade or simple metric serves no purpose and can have a devastating impact on a school community, and those that lead them.
My thoughts are with Ruth’s family, friends and her school.
independent.co.uk/news/uk/of…
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🧵Ofsted Thread:
Recently three Headteacher colleagues I know well have been inspected. 1/9
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Early morning train to London to speak to @VictoriaLIVE about how we teach children about tolerance and difference at our school.
"We have children in our school who have two mums, children with two dads. It’s important those children don’t feel different."
Primary school head teacher Simon Kidwell explains why his school uses ‘No Outsiders’ books in LGBT teaching
bbc.in/2JzfV7U #VictoriaLIVE
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I am delighted to have been elected as the School Leaders’ Union, @NAHTnews, Vice President with effect from National Conference 2022. Thank you everyone who has supported my application.
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“While Ofsted inspections place great emphasis on safeguarding by school staff, we have struggled to find evidence that Ofsted has reflected in detail on its own safeguarding responsibilities. It should also concede that it has lost the confidence of teachers and work with them to rebuild it.’
Ofsted: a case of official negligence? | The BMJ (see below)
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The article below describes the Ofsted process for a school judged good. An increasing number of Head Teachers, with good inspection outcomes, are talking to me about a “brutal” process which was one of the worst experiences of their professional lives.
theguardian.com/education/20…
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🧵After twelve wonderful years today marks my last day as School Principal of Hartford Manor Primary School & Nursery before I move to the role of President of @NAHTnews. 1/5
hartfordmanorcpschool.co.uk/
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In the space of a few months Caversham Primary has been graded outstanding, inadequate and good.
Single word grades used to judge schools are highly problematic and do not help parents.
Ofsted: New report upgrades Ruth Perry's school to good - BBC News bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-be…
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Daily Telegraph, blaming schools for "over-interpreting the rules" (see tweet #2) is an abject failure to hold the Government to account for their lack of strategic decision making to protect children and their communities from further school disruption. 1/3
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.@GavinWilliamson, waking up to headlines likes this is NOT helping to get children back to school. My union, @NAHTNews, has been instrumental in helping School Leaders make plans to get children back to school as soon as it is safe to do so.
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Two years ago today I took a break from drinking alcohol after a minor health scare. Thanks to some brilliant sober role models, and supportive friends and colleagues, I’m about to celebrate my third sober Christmas.
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For large parts of the pandemic School Leaders became accustomed to navigating chaotic government guidance on a 24 hour cycle. The Covid Inquiry speaks of a dysfunctional and toxic culture at the heart of government that fueled the chaos.
thetimes.co.uk/article/0d689…
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I feel incredibly honored to have been selected to be the future President of @NAHTnews.
In my speech at 3pm today I will talk about Ofsted inspections, workload, pay and accountability.
“Change is coming,” says new NAHT President Elect @simonkidwell, as he calls for schools to remove Ofsted banners and logos
naht.org.uk/News/Latest-comm…
#NAHTConf
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Every time I hear Ruth Perry’s sister Julia speak I become overwhelmed by sadness. As a profession we must not stand by let the current Ofsted arrangements continue to damage school leaders and teachers mental and physical health.
@NAHTnews
bbc.co.uk/news/education-653…
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It has taken the death of a much loved Headteacher, and the threat of legal action, for the Gov to change their approach to inspecting schools. Today’s modest changes are a step in the right direction, but further long term changes are needed to an inspection framework that does more harm than good.
@NAHTnews
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Reports in the @thetimes (below) that the teachers’ independent pay review body is recommending a 6.5% pay rise. The Gov. needs to get to the back to the negotiating table and work out how they they will fund any proposed pay rise and address teachers’ legitimate concerns about workload, recruitment retention and inspection.
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With an increasingly small number of experts influencing government thinking around education and child development, it is disturbing to read how individuals like @SwailesRuth, who offer alternative view points and critique policy, being cancelled.
thetimes.co.uk/article/9d308…
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The vast majority of school leaders want to see inspection reform, but we will only achieve meaningful change if this sits alongside a review of the chronically overpopulated primary curriculum. 9/9
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Recently, I have posted some holiday pictures of the Outer Hebrides with white sands, blue skies and turquoise seas. In the interest of balance I’m posting my view for today. @mejessop #vanlife
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Misinformation & misdirection about what children are being taught in Primary Schools has led to a number of disruptive & dangerous protests since 2019.
Today’s spurious claims about what is being taught in Primary Schools will fuel division & potentially cause significant harm.
Want to know what primary school children are taught in relationships education?
Head teacher Simon Kidwell recreates a lesson with a book about a chick with two male parents, that has led to protests
bbc.in/2lnzPaW #VictoriaLIVE
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However, using emergency covid legislation to force schools to remain open for the final few days of term when many are on their knees with dangerous levels of staff shortages is an abuse of power. 2/2
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Friends, family and journalists often ask me why teachers are striking. None of the teachers I know want to strike, but they will not continue to sit by and accept year on year reductions in real terms pays and inadequate funding for schools.
@NAHTnews
The latest teachers strike in England is today. 3 mins on what's happened to teachers' pay since 2012. The average teachers' salary has reduced in real terms - and more so than some other professions. Produced by Michael Cox, Rob England, Robert Cuffe. bbc.co.uk/news/education-632…
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I have a number of friends and colleagues who are Ofsted inspectors and I have consistently been supportive of their work and encouraged them to achieve positive change from within the organization.
After listening Prof Julian Waters piped.video/EgJ1waYmw6Q
address the @NAHTnews Conference, and hearing first hand about the devastating impact a flawed framework is having on colleagues mental health and physical well being, I fully support my inspector friends who are now handing in their badges and saying enough is enough.
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Around one in three inspectors are serving school leaders. After Prof. Julia Waters powerful and moving address to the @NAHTnews conference, many of my colleagues who work as Ofsted inspectors tell me that they are considering handing in their badges.
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The joy that #ShaneMacGowan and his songwriting brought to the world was celebrated at his funeral today.
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Gavin Williamson stated on @LBC yesterday that "schools are incredibly safe". The decision to close all London Primary Schools and the latest report from @imperialcollege does not support this view. @NAHTnews imperial.ac.uk/news/211793/n…
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There have been some distasteful headlines directed towards teachers this week. This is what @NHSuk key workers think about our work!👇
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There are 35 pictures books in the #NoOutsiders scheme. 4 books cover LGBT themes:
Mama, Momma and Me - 4-5yr olds
King and King - 8-9yr olds
And Tango Makes Three - 9-10 yr olds
My Princess Boy 10-11yr olds
Take a look at the books by following the links below:
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I am still fuming that a reported Cabinet source has said, "I think there's a lot of over interpretation of the rules by schools who seem keener to send pupils home than they need to be." Sch Leaders have worked every weekend & holiday to support track & trace & enact Gov rules.
Daily Telegraph, blaming schools for "over-interpreting the rules" (see tweet #2) is an abject failure to hold the Government to account for their lack of strategic decision making to protect children and their communities from further school disruption. 1/3
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Schools are facing a £2billion shortfall at the end of this parliament, which is the equivalent of 38,000 teachers. @NAHTnews are asking the new PM to refocus on the 2019 manifesto promise to return school funding to 2010 levels. My interview with @skynewsniall. 1/2
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Intelligent and constructive journalism from @guardian theguardian.com/commentisfre…
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When I travel the people I meet and the stories I hear are just as important and the places I see. During my trip to the Hebrides I’ve been blessed to hear the moving story of Jan, from Holland, who recently nursed is wife through terminal illness and is now cycling the across the Hebrides with his late wife’s sister; I’ve cooked fresh lobster off the boat for a retired Kinder Garden teacher from Arkansas and a young Australian solar scientist; and I met a Scottish ex pat whose luggage was lost by the airline and is still cycling the Hebridean Way on his friends ladies shopping bike and clothes he’s borrowed from her.
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The lazy and contemptible view that school staff and their unions are work shy and didn’t want a full return of pupils during the pandemic has been constantly dripped into the media by “government spoke-persons”.
Now we know these opinions sat at the heart of Government.
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The @Telegraph's negative reporting of the school Covid response is damaging and erodes parental confidence. Today's headline should read:
"Schools have moved mountains to fully open in the face of exam chaos, muddled guidance and government U-turns"
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Harford Manor is one of over 60 schools in Cheshire West to follow the "no outsiders" principles and ethos. Here is a short video of me and our Chair of Governors @hartfordvicar talking about why the #nooutsiders approach is an important part of our school.
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However, teaching all subjects in sufficient depth overseen by a subject leader, who in most cases is a non specialist full time classroom teacher, is putting an unacceptable strain on our schools and their staff. 7/9
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Today I spoke about summer opening and catchup on BBC News. @NAHTnews
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Hazel Pulley is the outstanding CEO @ParkfieldSchool Birmingham.
Over the last 6 months she has faced intolerable and unjust pressure to stop #NoOutsiders.
Please show you support with the hashtag:
#WeSupportHazel
birminghammail.co.uk/news/mi…
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This hard hitting @BBCNews film by @branwenjeffreys should be watched by all politicians and senior inspectors responsible for building an effective and compassionate regulator for our schools.
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0…
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After the wettest May I can remember, half term teachers are being rewarded with a final few days of blue skies. #vanlife
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But a large part of the problem, and one that Ofsted cannot solve, is the severely overcrowded English primary curriculum. 5/9
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Today we say goodbye to my friend and our brilliant Headteacher colleague Louise Roberts. ♥️💙♥️
It is with a heavy heart that I have to tell you that Louise my wife lost her 6 1/2 year battle with cancer Monday 31st July. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones. 💙💔💙
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