Barbara Bleiman
@barbarableiman.bsky.social
Education consultant, writer of fiction & children's poetry; passionately committed to English as a subject, to education, and to the idea that learning is founded on dialogue. Poems on Dirigible Balloon & Northern Gravy.
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
This is true for language learning too. Knowledge, learning, conceptualisation is all created by the pupil. Not inserted by the teacher.
A great thread on learning and curriculum and SO, SO relevant to English too. Curriculum is about thinking and doing in the subject, growing through connections, and 'knowledge made, not given' (Harold Rosen).
The other day, @agittner.bsky.social prompted me to describe how I would teach a concept.
I found it almost impossible.
And, it had me wondering why, a full time biology teacher, head of biology, & someone who has written so much on biology education, couldn't do it easily.
Here's my answer 🧵
I found it almost impossible.
And, it had me wondering why, a full time biology teacher, head of biology, & someone who has written so much on biology education, couldn't do it easily.
Here's my answer 🧵
February 13, 2026 at 5:58 PM
This is true for language learning too. Knowledge, learning, conceptualisation is all created by the pupil. Not inserted by the teacher.
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
The rise of ‘elaborate dictation’ and ‘writing-related simulations’ in English schools: Unethical writing teaching
writing4pleasure.com/2025/07/16/t...
writing4pleasure.com/2025/07/16/t...
The rise of ‘elaborate dictation’ and ‘writing-related simulations’ in English schools: Unethical writing teaching
In recent years, a growing concern has emerged among teachers, parents, and researchers in England: The increasing use of what could be called ‘elaborate dictation’ in classrooms. At first gl…
writing4pleasure.com
January 30, 2026 at 10:14 AM
The rise of ‘elaborate dictation’ and ‘writing-related simulations’ in English schools: Unethical writing teaching
writing4pleasure.com/2025/07/16/t...
writing4pleasure.com/2025/07/16/t...
A poem for all of you with children in your lives, for Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day, on 17th Feb.
February 13, 2026 at 6:00 PM
A poem for all of you with children in your lives, for Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day, on 17th Feb.
A great thread on learning and curriculum and SO, SO relevant to English too. Curriculum is about thinking and doing in the subject, growing through connections, and 'knowledge made, not given' (Harold Rosen).
The other day, @agittner.bsky.social prompted me to describe how I would teach a concept.
I found it almost impossible.
And, it had me wondering why, a full time biology teacher, head of biology, & someone who has written so much on biology education, couldn't do it easily.
Here's my answer 🧵
I found it almost impossible.
And, it had me wondering why, a full time biology teacher, head of biology, & someone who has written so much on biology education, couldn't do it easily.
Here's my answer 🧵
February 13, 2026 at 5:51 PM
A great thread on learning and curriculum and SO, SO relevant to English too. Curriculum is about thinking and doing in the subject, growing through connections, and 'knowledge made, not given' (Harold Rosen).
I love this final phrase about what curriculum is!
My argument is that if a teacher begins teaching photosynthesis and it is totally new to students, something has failed.
Possibly due to seeing curriculum as a sequence of knowledge acquisition.
Curriculum isn't this. It's a coordination of meanings enacted between teachers and students...
Possibly due to seeing curriculum as a sequence of knowledge acquisition.
Curriculum isn't this. It's a coordination of meanings enacted between teachers and students...
February 13, 2026 at 5:49 PM
I love this final phrase about what curriculum is!
Excellent thread on teaching reading comprehension - a complex rather than a simple, component-led list of quick fixes. I love the point about sometimes learning from misunderstanding.
🧵So, what works when teaching reading comprehension in the classroom? To a whole class?
I dedicated a entire chapter of my Phd thesis to exploring the literature on this.
In fact, we do not know a lot about what works when teachers teach, to whole classes.
1/8
I dedicated a entire chapter of my Phd thesis to exploring the literature on this.
In fact, we do not know a lot about what works when teachers teach, to whole classes.
1/8
February 13, 2026 at 8:58 AM
Excellent thread on teaching reading comprehension - a complex rather than a simple, component-led list of quick fixes. I love the point about sometimes learning from misunderstanding.
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
“to have a distinct GCSE in Eng Lang & a KS 3 & 4 curriculum…rich in knowledge about language,English teachers…need to be given the guidance & knowledge about language that has been missing…also…freedom to explore language use in creative & analytical ways“
englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/the-fut...
englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/the-fut...
The Future of English Language at KS3 + KS4
What the Curriculum and Assessment review could mean for English Language
englishandmedia.co.uk
February 12, 2026 at 3:54 PM
“to have a distinct GCSE in Eng Lang & a KS 3 & 4 curriculum…rich in knowledge about language,English teachers…need to be given the guidance & knowledge about language that has been missing…also…freedom to explore language use in creative & analytical ways“
englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/the-fut...
englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/the-fut...
This excellent new post by @nealzetterpoet.bsky.social on
@cpsummit.bsky.social blog is all about why bookshops do so little to display the rich array of contemporary children's poetry. If they did, it would be snapped up by parents & children! childrenspoetrysummit.com/2026/02/12/n...
@cpsummit.bsky.social blog is all about why bookshops do so little to display the rich array of contemporary children's poetry. If they did, it would be snapped up by parents & children! childrenspoetrysummit.com/2026/02/12/n...
Neal Zetter: Talking Up Poetry
I have three issues with children’s poetry in bookshops: there’s not enough of it, the variety of the books on sale is limited, and if it is stocked, its profile is too low. Many smalle…
childrenspoetrysummit.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:58 AM
This excellent new post by @nealzetterpoet.bsky.social on
@cpsummit.bsky.social blog is all about why bookshops do so little to display the rich array of contemporary children's poetry. If they did, it would be snapped up by parents & children! childrenspoetrysummit.com/2026/02/12/n...
@cpsummit.bsky.social blog is all about why bookshops do so little to display the rich array of contemporary children's poetry. If they did, it would be snapped up by parents & children! childrenspoetrysummit.com/2026/02/12/n...
Read halfway last night - so, so good - and then decided to stop, pause and give myself time to absorb what I'd read, before picking it up again. A very powerful & moving collection for adults but it also needs to go into every school library and classroom.
So excited! This just arrived in the post - an unexpected gift from my friend Rhiannon who happens to be Luke Wright’s editor. Can’t wait to dive in. Thank you Rhiannon & @lukewrightpoet.bsky.social
February 12, 2026 at 9:38 AM
Read halfway last night - so, so good - and then decided to stop, pause and give myself time to absorb what I'd read, before picking it up again. A very powerful & moving collection for adults but it also needs to go into every school library and classroom.
Seen this (& @engmediacentre.bsky.social's other blogs on new curric) This one's so important! @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social @bobeaglestone.bsky.social @beckyfrancis.bsky.social @thecockerill.bsky.social @marymyatt.bsky.social @stevewillshaw.bsky.social @counsellc.bsky.social @jonsevers.bsky.social
This is an incredibly important blog by my colleague Lucy Hinchliffe on behalf of @engmediacentre.bsky.social All English teachers should take a look & DfE should definitely be talking to us about this. If they get this wrong, nothing else will go right in the Nat Curric for English.
Yesterday we posted a series of blogs outlining the direction we would like curriculum reform to go in and airing some of our concerns about where it might go. Here's an additional blog focusing on assessment www.englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/curricu...
February 11, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Seen this (& @engmediacentre.bsky.social's other blogs on new curric) This one's so important! @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social @bobeaglestone.bsky.social @beckyfrancis.bsky.social @thecockerill.bsky.social @marymyatt.bsky.social @stevewillshaw.bsky.social @counsellc.bsky.social @jonsevers.bsky.social
This is an incredibly important blog by my colleague Lucy Hinchliffe on behalf of @engmediacentre.bsky.social All English teachers should take a look & DfE should definitely be talking to us about this. If they get this wrong, nothing else will go right in the Nat Curric for English.
Yesterday we posted a series of blogs outlining the direction we would like curriculum reform to go in and airing some of our concerns about where it might go. Here's an additional blog focusing on assessment www.englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/curricu...
Curriculum reform + getting formative assessment right
The importance of curriculum reform promoting formative assessment and combatting the dominance of the summative
www.englishandmedia.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 6:43 PM
This is an incredibly important blog by my colleague Lucy Hinchliffe on behalf of @engmediacentre.bsky.social All English teachers should take a look & DfE should definitely be talking to us about this. If they get this wrong, nothing else will go right in the Nat Curric for English.
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
It would be nice to think that while the curriculum is being written, ideas from people who have taught the subject for decades, have examined tens of thousands of students, trained hundreds of teachers, written articles and resources and organised some of the best conferences might get a look-in!
February 11, 2026 at 11:34 AM
It would be nice to think that while the curriculum is being written, ideas from people who have taught the subject for decades, have examined tens of thousands of students, trained hundreds of teachers, written articles and resources and organised some of the best conferences might get a look-in!
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
We have published some @engmediacentre.bsky.social linked think pieces on the new curriculum here: www.englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/emc-thi...
EMC Thinking About Curriculum - Introduction
What's needed in the 2026 National Curriculum to reinvigorate secondary English
www.englishandmedia.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 11:34 AM
We have published some @engmediacentre.bsky.social linked think pieces on the new curriculum here: www.englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/emc-thi...
So excited! This just arrived in the post - an unexpected gift from my friend Rhiannon who happens to be Luke Wright’s editor. Can’t wait to dive in. Thank you Rhiannon & @lukewrightpoet.bsky.social
February 11, 2026 at 12:23 PM
So excited! This just arrived in the post - an unexpected gift from my friend Rhiannon who happens to be Luke Wright’s editor. Can’t wait to dive in. Thank you Rhiannon & @lukewrightpoet.bsky.social
Fabulous piece by Caroline Lucas on English Literature and why it matters so much, both to individuals and to society!
Another great instalment of #EnglishCreates from @univeng.bsky.social in the National Year of Reading. @ies-sas.bsky.social @englishassociation.bsky.social @anthonycockrell.bsky.social @barbarableiman.bsky.social @royalhistsoc.org @engmediacentre.bsky.social
#EnglishCreates: Futures
We are thrilled to share today's blog by Caroline Lucas, Britain’s first Green MP:
'Literature is the way we exercise the muscle of the imagination... And unless we can imagine a greener, fairer world, we’ll struggle to achieve it.'
universityenglish.ac.uk/englishcreat...
We are thrilled to share today's blog by Caroline Lucas, Britain’s first Green MP:
'Literature is the way we exercise the muscle of the imagination... And unless we can imagine a greener, fairer world, we’ll struggle to achieve it.'
universityenglish.ac.uk/englishcreat...
February 11, 2026 at 12:21 PM
Fabulous piece by Caroline Lucas on English Literature and why it matters so much, both to individuals and to society!
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
A brilliant series of think pieces about English curriculum reform.
Now is the time to reinvigorate English in the ways outlined here which reflect the spirit of the CAR.
Now is the time to reinvigorate English in the ways outlined here which reflect the spirit of the CAR.
Lots of people working in English are excited by the prospect of curriculum change now the new NC is being written. We've just published 7 blogs looking at key areas identified for reform, with our hopes for where this might lead. Introduction here 1/7 englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/emc-thi...
February 10, 2026 at 7:06 PM
A brilliant series of think pieces about English curriculum reform.
Now is the time to reinvigorate English in the ways outlined here which reflect the spirit of the CAR.
Now is the time to reinvigorate English in the ways outlined here which reflect the spirit of the CAR.
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
LATEST MEDIAMAGAZINE now available online to web subscribers, with print copies in schools later this month. More fabulous articles + an iconic image for the front cover @englangblog.bsky.social @mediamagemc.bsky.social www.englishandmedia.co.uk/emc-magazines/
February 10, 2026 at 9:18 AM
LATEST MEDIAMAGAZINE now available online to web subscribers, with print copies in schools later this month. More fabulous articles + an iconic image for the front cover @englangblog.bsky.social @mediamagemc.bsky.social www.englishandmedia.co.uk/emc-magazines/
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
We're delighted to have been asked again to write resources for the shortlisted books. Which do you think it will be?
Revealing the longlist for the #Carnegies2026 Medal for Writing! 🏅✒️
Highlighting diversity and community, these 19 works span from humorous narratives and creative reimaginings to artfully using history to explore identity and relationships . 💫📖
https://carnegies.co.uk/2026-longlists-announced/
Highlighting diversity and community, these 19 works span from humorous narratives and creative reimaginings to artfully using history to explore identity and relationships . 💫📖
https://carnegies.co.uk/2026-longlists-announced/
February 10, 2026 at 9:19 AM
We're delighted to have been asked again to write resources for the shortlisted books. Which do you think it will be?
I've written one of these think pieces on Talk - 10 key points for English teachers (& hopefully also for the NC writer to take note of). Hoping that I may be consulted at some point, given how much work I've done on talk over many years, but who knows? www.englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/thinkin...
February 10, 2026 at 1:00 PM
I've written one of these think pieces on Talk - 10 key points for English teachers (& hopefully also for the NC writer to take note of). Hoping that I may be consulted at some point, given how much work I've done on talk over many years, but who knows? www.englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/thinkin...
Brand new series of short thought pieces by @EngMediaCentre staff, on the CAR & National Curriculum reform process for English -on overarching issues, Language, Media & media literacy, Talk, Drama and Assessment. englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/emc-think…
February 10, 2026 at 11:09 AM
Brand new series of short thought pieces by @EngMediaCentre staff, on the CAR & National Curriculum reform process for English -on overarching issues, Language, Media & media literacy, Talk, Drama and Assessment. englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/emc-think…
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
More KS2 teachers have been filling this in. THANK YOU! We're keeping the survey open as we'd love to have even more. Just 2 mins of your time to tick a few boxes!
Thank you to all those primary teachers filling this in for us! If you are involved with KS2, we'd love to hear from you! Please share @ruthswailes.bsky.social @uklitassociation.bsky.social @teresacremin.bsky.social @writingrocks.bsky.social
Are you a KS2 teacher? We're adding an extra dimension to our survey of poetry at KS3 by asking some KS2 teachers to respond to one question. Please could you take 2 mins to click this link & answer the question? Huge thanks! www.surveymonkey.com/r/MapKS2Coll...
February 9, 2026 at 10:16 AM
More KS2 teachers have been filling this in. THANK YOU! We're keeping the survey open as we'd love to have even more. Just 2 mins of your time to tick a few boxes!
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
Take a look at the treats inside the latest emagazine!
Available now to web subscribers. Physical copies in schools later this month @barbarableiman.bsky.social @englangblog.bsky.social
englishandmedia.co.uk/emc-magazines/
Available now to web subscribers. Physical copies in schools later this month @barbarableiman.bsky.social @englangblog.bsky.social
englishandmedia.co.uk/emc-magazines/
February 9, 2026 at 2:41 PM
Take a look at the treats inside the latest emagazine!
Available now to web subscribers. Physical copies in schools later this month @barbarableiman.bsky.social @englangblog.bsky.social
englishandmedia.co.uk/emc-magazines/
Available now to web subscribers. Physical copies in schools later this month @barbarableiman.bsky.social @englangblog.bsky.social
englishandmedia.co.uk/emc-magazines/
More KS2 teachers have been filling this in. THANK YOU! We're keeping the survey open as we'd love to have even more. Just 2 mins of your time to tick a few boxes!
Thank you to all those primary teachers filling this in for us! If you are involved with KS2, we'd love to hear from you! Please share @ruthswailes.bsky.social @uklitassociation.bsky.social @teresacremin.bsky.social @writingrocks.bsky.social
Are you a KS2 teacher? We're adding an extra dimension to our survey of poetry at KS3 by asking some KS2 teachers to respond to one question. Please could you take 2 mins to click this link & answer the question? Huge thanks! www.surveymonkey.com/r/MapKS2Coll...
February 9, 2026 at 10:16 AM
More KS2 teachers have been filling this in. THANK YOU! We're keeping the survey open as we'd love to have even more. Just 2 mins of your time to tick a few boxes!
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
“Cognitive psychology has shown that the mind best understands facts when they are woven into a conceptual fabric, such as a narrative, mental map, or intuitive theory. Disconnected facts in the mind are like unlinked pages on the Web: They might as well not exist.”
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February 4, 2026 at 7:46 AM
“Cognitive psychology has shown that the mind best understands facts when they are woven into a conceptual fabric, such as a narrative, mental map, or intuitive theory. Disconnected facts in the mind are like unlinked pages on the Web: They might as well not exist.”
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Children's Poetry Summit blog by Lorraine Mariner, all about the 75th anniversary of the South Bank and the amazing poetry events being planned! childrenspoetrysummit.com/2026/02/05/l...
Lorraine Mariner: Poetry for Children at Southbank Centre’s 75th
In 2026 the Southbank Centre, where the National Poetry Library is based, celebrates its 75th anniversary. It will be 75 years since the Festival of Britain which saw the opening of the Royal Festi…
childrenspoetrysummit.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Children's Poetry Summit blog by Lorraine Mariner, all about the 75th anniversary of the South Bank and the amazing poetry events being planned! childrenspoetrysummit.com/2026/02/05/l...