@clarefeeneyuk.bsky.social
Teaching and Learning Lead.
English teacher. North East England.
MAT SP Literacy.
Associate Consultant: National Literacy Trust. Anti-racist ally. Linguistic justice.
Blogs about English teaching & Literacy.
https://clarefeeneyuk.com/
English teacher. North East England.
MAT SP Literacy.
Associate Consultant: National Literacy Trust. Anti-racist ally. Linguistic justice.
Blogs about English teaching & Literacy.
https://clarefeeneyuk.com/
🤣
Abbeydale Brewery's accent compensation scheme: "Yorkshire folk need not apply" @abbeydalebeers.bsky.social
February 14, 2026 at 4:32 PM
🤣
I really enjoyed reading this blog and the issues are relevant in many ways to how we teach writing in English.
Which is preferable - authentic writing where young people use language to express something meaningful, or performative writing, constrained by assessment objectives and mark schemes?
Which is preferable - authentic writing where young people use language to express something meaningful, or performative writing, constrained by assessment objectives and mark schemes?
February 14, 2026 at 4:25 PM
I really enjoyed reading this blog and the issues are relevant in many ways to how we teach writing in English.
Which is preferable - authentic writing where young people use language to express something meaningful, or performative writing, constrained by assessment objectives and mark schemes?
Which is preferable - authentic writing where young people use language to express something meaningful, or performative writing, constrained by assessment objectives and mark schemes?
If you are looking for inspo for the National Year of Reading, the National literacy Trust are holding two seminars with a fab line-up of guest speakers.
In York & Plymouth.
Reimagine teenage reading: teenage reading seminars.
literacytrust.org.uk/secondary/se...
In York & Plymouth.
Reimagine teenage reading: teenage reading seminars.
literacytrust.org.uk/secondary/se...
Teenage Reading Seminars | National Literacy Trust
13 and 20 March 2026. Join us for our exclusive National Year of Reading events in March to explore how we can find routes into reading and validate teenage reading experiences.
literacytrust.org.uk
February 14, 2026 at 9:00 AM
If you are looking for inspo for the National Year of Reading, the National literacy Trust are holding two seminars with a fab line-up of guest speakers.
In York & Plymouth.
Reimagine teenage reading: teenage reading seminars.
literacytrust.org.uk/secondary/se...
In York & Plymouth.
Reimagine teenage reading: teenage reading seminars.
literacytrust.org.uk/secondary/se...
Great thread.
Interesting to think of this through a secondary lens when disciplinary reading can provide new challenges for all students, including our more confident readers.
Interesting to think of this through a secondary lens when disciplinary reading can provide new challenges for all students, including our more confident readers.
🧵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 14, 2026 at 8:46 AM
Great thread.
Interesting to think of this through a secondary lens when disciplinary reading can provide new challenges for all students, including our more confident readers.
Interesting to think of this through a secondary lens when disciplinary reading can provide new challenges for all students, including our more confident readers.
I love the caption on this display,
'But remember ALL words can be wow words so play with them all.'
'But remember ALL words can be wow words so play with them all.'
Saw some really beautiful writing teaching at University of Cambridge Primary School this week.
Children were excited to share their compositions with me. Wonderful writer-teachers sharing their own craft. A real pleasure.
Thank you @aimeedurningmbe.bsky.social @robdrane.bsky.social +colleagues.
Children were excited to share their compositions with me. Wonderful writer-teachers sharing their own craft. A real pleasure.
Thank you @aimeedurningmbe.bsky.social @robdrane.bsky.social +colleagues.
February 13, 2026 at 11:48 AM
I love the caption on this display,
'But remember ALL words can be wow words so play with them all.'
'But remember ALL words can be wow words so play with them all.'
Reposted
Now, coordinating, here's the key.
Students aren't just "encoding" and "storing" knowledge tokens.
As a class, we're coordinating a way of *doing* biology that includes a way of seeing, talking about, and explaining biology.
This coordination begins in the first lesson...
Students aren't just "encoding" and "storing" knowledge tokens.
As a class, we're coordinating a way of *doing* biology that includes a way of seeing, talking about, and explaining biology.
This coordination begins in the first lesson...
February 13, 2026 at 8:03 AM
Now, coordinating, here's the key.
Students aren't just "encoding" and "storing" knowledge tokens.
As a class, we're coordinating a way of *doing* biology that includes a way of seeing, talking about, and explaining biology.
This coordination begins in the first lesson...
Students aren't just "encoding" and "storing" knowledge tokens.
As a class, we're coordinating a way of *doing* biology that includes a way of seeing, talking about, and explaining biology.
This coordination begins in the first lesson...
Excellent🧵with another refreshing interrogation of (over-simplified) cogsci thinking.
How learning happens incrementally over time as students develop meaning through immersion in the discipline.
How learning happens incrementally over time as students develop meaning through immersion in the discipline.
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 9:43 AM
Excellent🧵with another refreshing interrogation of (over-simplified) cogsci thinking.
How learning happens incrementally over time as students develop meaning through immersion in the discipline.
How learning happens incrementally over time as students develop meaning through immersion in the discipline.
Btw we are a fully comprehensive school and the lessons visited today mostly involved students of mid/lower prior attainment with a very varied range of needs. Real classrooms with all the associated joys and challenges.
Big day for us today as we hosted an Open Morning for Voice 21 schools in the NE. I am so humbled & a little overwhelmed by the wonderful feedback.
We're in yr3 of our oracy journey & it's a pleasure to be leading on this.
We see classroom talk as absolutely central to learning in all subjects.
We're in yr3 of our oracy journey & it's a pleasure to be leading on this.
We see classroom talk as absolutely central to learning in all subjects.
February 12, 2026 at 7:03 PM
Btw we are a fully comprehensive school and the lessons visited today mostly involved students of mid/lower prior attainment with a very varied range of needs. Real classrooms with all the associated joys and challenges.
Reposted
Yes, agreed. The more I think about it, the more unhelpful I think it is!
Yes, Jessie's RAV study is powerful stuff and doesn't show vocab "shrinkage"
@theguardian.com - is it possible to revise this article?
Yes, Jessie's RAV study is powerful stuff and doesn't show vocab "shrinkage"
@theguardian.com - is it possible to revise this article?
February 12, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Yes, agreed. The more I think about it, the more unhelpful I think it is!
Yes, Jessie's RAV study is powerful stuff and doesn't show vocab "shrinkage"
@theguardian.com - is it possible to revise this article?
Yes, Jessie's RAV study is powerful stuff and doesn't show vocab "shrinkage"
@theguardian.com - is it possible to revise this article?
Big day for us today as we hosted an Open Morning for Voice 21 schools in the NE. I am so humbled & a little overwhelmed by the wonderful feedback.
We're in yr3 of our oracy journey & it's a pleasure to be leading on this.
We see classroom talk as absolutely central to learning in all subjects.
We're in yr3 of our oracy journey & it's a pleasure to be leading on this.
We see classroom talk as absolutely central to learning in all subjects.
February 12, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Big day for us today as we hosted an Open Morning for Voice 21 schools in the NE. I am so humbled & a little overwhelmed by the wonderful feedback.
We're in yr3 of our oracy journey & it's a pleasure to be leading on this.
We see classroom talk as absolutely central to learning in all subjects.
We're in yr3 of our oracy journey & it's a pleasure to be leading on this.
We see classroom talk as absolutely central to learning in all subjects.
Powerful.
When Bad Bunny was announced as performing the Super Bowl half time show I wrote a blog post talking about how the world we are fighting for sounds like Bad Bunny singing at the Super Bowl. Having seen the performance I am doubling down on that claim
educationallinguist.wordpress.com/2026/02/09/w...
educationallinguist.wordpress.com/2026/02/09/w...
When Bad Bunny Sang at the Super Bowl, the World We’re Fighting for Sang Back
A few months ago, I wrote about the world we were fighting for and suggested that it might sound like Bad Bunny singing in Spanish at the Super Bowl. That piece was written in anticipation, as a wa…
educationallinguist.wordpress.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:50 PM
Powerful.
Reposted
in this blog i outline the theory of change for linguistic justice in schools that i am working with and hoping to develop as part of my Leverhulme Trust @leverhulme.ac.uk project, beginning in the autumn 💜
With a Philip Leverhulme Prize, @iancushing.bsky.social is leading a three-year project on linguistic justice in schools. The research aims to drive systemic change, challenge deficit views of language, and build more just educational futures. www.nate.org.uk/2026/02/11/d... #NATE
Developing a theory of change for linguistic justice in schools - National Association for the Teaching of English
Ian Cushing, who has been has been awarded a 2025 Philip Leverhulme Prize to lead a three-year project on linguistic justice in schools, explains how the research will move beyond...
www.nate.org.uk
February 11, 2026 at 3:56 PM
in this blog i outline the theory of change for linguistic justice in schools that i am working with and hoping to develop as part of my Leverhulme Trust @leverhulme.ac.uk project, beginning in the autumn 💜
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
We spend a lot of time talking about engagement.
Much less time talking about investment.
This short, free guide explores how schools can move from "what's the point" to kids getting properly stuck in - day in, day out - by design
📘 Implementing botheredness (12-min read)
Link in comments below
Much less time talking about investment.
This short, free guide explores how schools can move from "what's the point" to kids getting properly stuck in - day in, day out - by design
📘 Implementing botheredness (12-min read)
Link in comments below
February 7, 2026 at 3:26 PM
We spend a lot of time talking about engagement.
Much less time talking about investment.
This short, free guide explores how schools can move from "what's the point" to kids getting properly stuck in - day in, day out - by design
📘 Implementing botheredness (12-min read)
Link in comments below
Much less time talking about investment.
This short, free guide explores how schools can move from "what's the point" to kids getting properly stuck in - day in, day out - by design
📘 Implementing botheredness (12-min read)
Link in comments below
Very much looking forward to reading this and discussing it with colleagues.
I declare this book finished.
It's been intense. So much editing. This is the most important work I've written.
As far as I'm aware, the first book for general teachers that's deeply rooted in *enactive* cognitive science.
Teaching Meaning: What Works When Telling Isn't Enough
Out soon!
It's been intense. So much editing. This is the most important work I've written.
As far as I'm aware, the first book for general teachers that's deeply rooted in *enactive* cognitive science.
Teaching Meaning: What Works When Telling Isn't Enough
Out soon!
February 9, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Very much looking forward to reading this and discussing it with colleagues.
Fascinating report on the impact of the Science of Reading - findings in a US context reveal the need to move beyond surface level understanding of texts to focus on developing robust comprehension.
Jan 2026 Report - In Some Urban Districts, Science of Reading Limits ‘Robust Comprehension’: Rather than promoting deeper literacy skills, the phonics-based approach 'may unintentionally encourage teachers to focus on surface-level goals.'
February 9, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Fascinating report on the impact of the Science of Reading - findings in a US context reveal the need to move beyond surface level understanding of texts to focus on developing robust comprehension.
Reposted
This is why we slowed down our phonics learning and built in a school wide reading for pleasure programme (thank you @teresacremin.bsky.social and team). CLPE has helped us to shift away from atomised grammar and we have 'every place is a reading place' nooks and crannies all over. Our kids ❤️ books.
From the full report:
"Despite the regular comprehension HQIM use and focus...in 67% of the lessons, teachers and students engaged in work (i.e., instruction, engagement, and activity) that only facilitated students’ surface-level understanding of texts."
www.sri.com/wp-content/u...
"Despite the regular comprehension HQIM use and focus...in 67% of the lessons, teachers and students engaged in work (i.e., instruction, engagement, and activity) that only facilitated students’ surface-level understanding of texts."
www.sri.com/wp-content/u...
February 9, 2026 at 5:10 PM
This is why we slowed down our phonics learning and built in a school wide reading for pleasure programme (thank you @teresacremin.bsky.social and team). CLPE has helped us to shift away from atomised grammar and we have 'every place is a reading place' nooks and crannies all over. Our kids ❤️ books.
Reposted
Absolutely. Lots of very popular poets online. And lots of access to a very wide range of poetry online if books are too expensive e.g. why not let students browse The Poetry Archive, The Poetry Foundation, Poetry by Heart, The Poetry Station (EMC), with a theme in mind, or a kind of poetry?
February 8, 2026 at 9:35 AM
Absolutely. Lots of very popular poets online. And lots of access to a very wide range of poetry online if books are too expensive e.g. why not let students browse The Poetry Archive, The Poetry Foundation, Poetry by Heart, The Poetry Station (EMC), with a theme in mind, or a kind of poetry?
Reading in Geography.
This tantalising book display caught my eye in our library.
Y7 Geographers are doing some research in the library
& also browsing/borrowing these books.
Super collab between our Geog HOD and librarian to encourage diff types of reading & make it enjoyable.
This tantalising book display caught my eye in our library.
Y7 Geographers are doing some research in the library
& also browsing/borrowing these books.
Super collab between our Geog HOD and librarian to encourage diff types of reading & make it enjoyable.
February 7, 2026 at 8:41 AM
Reading in Geography.
This tantalising book display caught my eye in our library.
Y7 Geographers are doing some research in the library
& also browsing/borrowing these books.
Super collab between our Geog HOD and librarian to encourage diff types of reading & make it enjoyable.
This tantalising book display caught my eye in our library.
Y7 Geographers are doing some research in the library
& also browsing/borrowing these books.
Super collab between our Geog HOD and librarian to encourage diff types of reading & make it enjoyable.
Reposted
It’s absolutely disgraceful.
For all the talk of levelling up, closing gaps, etc etc, all we have is the repeated cycle of the rich getting richer….
And the children are stuck in the middle.
For all the talk of levelling up, closing gaps, etc etc, all we have is the repeated cycle of the rich getting richer….
And the children are stuck in the middle.
February 6, 2026 at 6:48 PM
It’s absolutely disgraceful.
For all the talk of levelling up, closing gaps, etc etc, all we have is the repeated cycle of the rich getting richer….
And the children are stuck in the middle.
For all the talk of levelling up, closing gaps, etc etc, all we have is the repeated cycle of the rich getting richer….
And the children are stuck in the middle.
Reposted
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
Reposted
This just creates a further divide across the sector- more haves and more have-nots
bsky.app/profile/char...
bsky.app/profile/char...
"It’s great for us, and not necessarily equitable for the sector as a whole."
@jabedahmed.bsky.social reveals the investment returns of the 20 biggest MATs in 2024-25.
www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/how-much-money-do-mats-make-from-investments
@jabedahmed.bsky.social reveals the investment returns of the 20 biggest MATs in 2024-25.
www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/how-much-money-do-mats-make-from-investments
Revealed: How much the biggest MATs make from investments
The largest multi-academy trusts are generating millions by investing surplus cash, but sector leader warns this must not replace core funding
www.tes.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:27 PM
This just creates a further divide across the sector- more haves and more have-nots
bsky.app/profile/char...
bsky.app/profile/char...
Reposted
Macbeth off the page: Bringing performance techniques to your lessons (10 February 2026, 16:45 – 17:30)
Transform the curriculum into action with actor-led techniques to boost student engagement and simplify Shakespeare’s complex themes. Follow link below /sign up! 😊⬇️⬇️
Transform the curriculum into action with actor-led techniques to boost student engagement and simplify Shakespeare’s complex themes. Follow link below /sign up! 😊⬇️⬇️
Sign up! Free! Online! englishassociation.ac.uk/macbeth-off-...
englishassociation.ac.uk
February 3, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Macbeth off the page: Bringing performance techniques to your lessons (10 February 2026, 16:45 – 17:30)
Transform the curriculum into action with actor-led techniques to boost student engagement and simplify Shakespeare’s complex themes. Follow link below /sign up! 😊⬇️⬇️
Transform the curriculum into action with actor-led techniques to boost student engagement and simplify Shakespeare’s complex themes. Follow link below /sign up! 😊⬇️⬇️
Reposted
I had a go at a linguistic take on some of the reporting around recent events in the USA, and the wider problems of the media reporting on the police, in this piece published today: bylinetimes.com/2026/01/29/w...
Weaponizing Words: How the Trump Administration Used Language to Distort the Truth in Minnesota
Government and media organisations used the power of words to shift moral responsibility for the ICE killings, argues linguist Dan Clayton
bylinetimes.com
January 29, 2026 at 10:56 AM
I had a go at a linguistic take on some of the reporting around recent events in the USA, and the wider problems of the media reporting on the police, in this piece published today: bylinetimes.com/2026/01/29/w...
Reposted
A lack of diversity, primary specialists (esp KS1 and EYs), SEND and a lack of experience working in the north of England.
This was the chance for fresh eyes. But, instead we have the same people who have worked on all of this before.
A missed opportunity.
bsky.app/profile/scho...
This was the chance for fresh eyes. But, instead we have the same people who have worked on all of this before.
A missed opportunity.
bsky.app/profile/scho...
The DfE has chosen 46 'curriculum drafters' following a public tender – but it has prompted questions about diversity and the way experts are unevenly split across 13 subject areas
Concerns over make-up of curriculum drafters group
Leaders criticise 'lack of diversity and representation' among experts helping to write new curriculum
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 4:31 PM
A lack of diversity, primary specialists (esp KS1 and EYs), SEND and a lack of experience working in the north of England.
This was the chance for fresh eyes. But, instead we have the same people who have worked on all of this before.
A missed opportunity.
bsky.app/profile/scho...
This was the chance for fresh eyes. But, instead we have the same people who have worked on all of this before.
A missed opportunity.
bsky.app/profile/scho...