@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/
A superb read on the Curriculum & Assessment Review.
World Class or Bottom of the Class? A Deep Dive into the Curriculum and Assessment Review
It's taken a while to digest but here are my initial thoughts on the Review and its implications for schools and school History #historyteacher #EduSky #Anthopocene
www.andallthat.co.uk/blog/world-c...
It's taken a while to digest but here are my initial thoughts on the Review and its implications for schools and school History #historyteacher #EduSky #Anthopocene
www.andallthat.co.uk/blog/world-c...
November 10, 2025 at 10:24 PM
A superb read on the Curriculum & Assessment Review.
This response to the CAR recommendations for English will be well worth reading.
Due out tomorrow.
Due out tomorrow.
Agree with this: again, the @englishassociation.bsky.social and the Common English Forum will be working on this too
November 9, 2025 at 2:47 PM
This response to the CAR recommendations for English will be well worth reading.
Due out tomorrow.
Due out tomorrow.
Yesterday, I was trying to find positives in the CAR for English Lang but I also feel disappointed it chose not to make recs which would align the subject more closely with some core disciplinary concepts. For eg, it's not clear if it will enable students to study sociolinguistic issues around ...
KS4 English Lang - well, in some ways the recs are a vast improvement.
Reading & writing a range of more relevant text-types.
This could be v good if it entails teaching 'big ideas' eg audience, purpose, spoken & written lang variation according to socially-situated contexts, critical literacy.
Reading & writing a range of more relevant text-types.
This could be v good if it entails teaching 'big ideas' eg audience, purpose, spoken & written lang variation according to socially-situated contexts, critical literacy.
November 9, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Yesterday, I was trying to find positives in the CAR for English Lang but I also feel disappointed it chose not to make recs which would align the subject more closely with some core disciplinary concepts. For eg, it's not clear if it will enable students to study sociolinguistic issues around ...
I don't think there was a comment about the current stipulation of studying texts only by British writers.
I wonder if this might change.
I wonder if this might change.
KS4 English Lit. A missed opportunity & not addressing the elephant in the room - assessment. Disappointing to see the continued fixation on reading a whole 19th novel. Hard to see where the flexibility is to enable the study of contemporary, diverse texts. Do fewer poems?
November 8, 2025 at 2:46 PM
I don't think there was a comment about the current stipulation of studying texts only by British writers.
I wonder if this might change.
I wonder if this might change.
Reposted
I guess the key question now, especially with perhaps related concerns around the wellbeing of young people who are not in the workforce, is: is incremental change enough?
November 7, 2025 at 9:35 AM
I guess the key question now, especially with perhaps related concerns around the wellbeing of young people who are not in the workforce, is: is incremental change enough?
Yes. Discussion of the role of curriculum, and, significantly, assessment, in young people's well-being was largely absent. Yet these stats are deeply unsettling & should be a call to action.
Although OECD data was referenced multiple times, neither the widely-known stat from the OECD’s PISA data that UK 15-year-olds reported among the lowest life satisfaction among tested nations, nor TIMSS’ findings re high numbers of English 14-year-olds disliking school, featured.
November 8, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Yes. Discussion of the role of curriculum, and, significantly, assessment, in young people's well-being was largely absent. Yet these stats are deeply unsettling & should be a call to action.
Just taking a moment to read and reflect on the CAR.
There are many general statements that are welcome such as the recognition that sequences of learning differ between subjects, the nat curriculum is a tool, teachers are the curriculum makers etc.
A few thoughts on the English/literacy bits.
There are many general statements that are welcome such as the recognition that sequences of learning differ between subjects, the nat curriculum is a tool, teachers are the curriculum makers etc.
A few thoughts on the English/literacy bits.
November 8, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Just taking a moment to read and reflect on the CAR.
There are many general statements that are welcome such as the recognition that sequences of learning differ between subjects, the nat curriculum is a tool, teachers are the curriculum makers etc.
A few thoughts on the English/literacy bits.
There are many general statements that are welcome such as the recognition that sequences of learning differ between subjects, the nat curriculum is a tool, teachers are the curriculum makers etc.
A few thoughts on the English/literacy bits.
I'm just settling down to read this. I don't read much crime fiction but the opening is gripping and I can already tell it's going to be a page-turner.
(I was happy to find this lovely hardback copy in my local library.)
#booksky
(I was happy to find this lovely hardback copy in my local library.)
#booksky
October 31, 2025 at 9:05 PM
I'm just settling down to read this. I don't read much crime fiction but the opening is gripping and I can already tell it's going to be a page-turner.
(I was happy to find this lovely hardback copy in my local library.)
#booksky
(I was happy to find this lovely hardback copy in my local library.)
#booksky
'destabilising standard language ideologies'
the spelling bee is... 'a public ritual of linguistic discipline. It doesn't just reward memorisation; it performs a particular vision of language as precise, codified, and rule-bound, and positions that vision as natural, inevitable, and good' compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
October 30, 2025 at 12:11 PM
'destabilising standard language ideologies'
Yes. Hard agree.
It will be. These are incredible people who are engaged in a wide range of fascinating research into the development of reading and how to teach it effectively.
They are the people who should have written the reading framework (with a few others).
They are the people who should have written the reading framework (with a few others).
October 29, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Yes. Hard agree.
Reposted
The #cogsci of reading, shared by the people who actually do the research. This will be spectacular!
#ReconstructingReading
bsky.app/profile/jonn...
#ReconstructingReading
bsky.app/profile/jonn...
The #ReconstructingReading online festival takes place during the week of 17th November. @literacy-trust.bsky.social have put together a line-up of outstanding speakers. Tickets are available for individual sessions or the entire week. More info here: literacytrust.org.uk/training-and...
October 29, 2025 at 9:08 AM
The #cogsci of reading, shared by the people who actually do the research. This will be spectacular!
#ReconstructingReading
bsky.app/profile/jonn...
#ReconstructingReading
bsky.app/profile/jonn...
#ReconstructingReading online festival.
There is an excellent line-up of experts working at the cutting age of reading research and practice.
The festival has a Primary age focus but much of this could still be relevant for secondary reading leads.
#literacy #reading
There is an excellent line-up of experts working at the cutting age of reading research and practice.
The festival has a Primary age focus but much of this could still be relevant for secondary reading leads.
#literacy #reading
The #ReconstructingReading online festival takes place during the week of 17th November. @literacy-trust.bsky.social have put together a line-up of outstanding speakers. Tickets are available for individual sessions or the entire week. More info here: literacytrust.org.uk/training-and...
October 29, 2025 at 8:29 AM
#ReconstructingReading online festival.
There is an excellent line-up of experts working at the cutting age of reading research and practice.
The festival has a Primary age focus but much of this could still be relevant for secondary reading leads.
#literacy #reading
There is an excellent line-up of experts working at the cutting age of reading research and practice.
The festival has a Primary age focus but much of this could still be relevant for secondary reading leads.
#literacy #reading
Reposted
Long Island is a great sequel! I read with bated breath towards the end, waiting for the unravel...
Also, this episode of Take Four Books - Toibin talks about 3 books that influenced the novel. I found it so interesting, esp his inspo for the opening.
#BookSky
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Also, this episode of Take Four Books - Toibin talks about 3 books that influenced the novel. I found it so interesting, esp his inspo for the opening.
#BookSky
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Take Four Books, Colm Tóibín
Colm Tóibín on his latest novel, Long Island, and its connections to three other works.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Long Island is a great sequel! I read with bated breath towards the end, waiting for the unravel...
Also, this episode of Take Four Books - Toibin talks about 3 books that influenced the novel. I found it so interesting, esp his inspo for the opening.
#BookSky
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Also, this episode of Take Four Books - Toibin talks about 3 books that influenced the novel. I found it so interesting, esp his inspo for the opening.
#BookSky
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Reposted
Important piece from @booktrust.org.uk and @openuni-rfp.bsky.social about the value of book choice for pupils and how to help promote it in the classroom. Do have a read! files.booktrust.org.uk/docs/documen... @teresacremin.bsky.social @richardruddick.bsky.social
October 26, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Important piece from @booktrust.org.uk and @openuni-rfp.bsky.social about the value of book choice for pupils and how to help promote it in the classroom. Do have a read! files.booktrust.org.uk/docs/documen... @teresacremin.bsky.social @richardruddick.bsky.social
Reposted
Fantastic piece! I checked back on my latest poem about animals for little ‘uns - a draft - and found this!
October 25, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Fantastic piece! I checked back on my latest poem about animals for little ‘uns - a draft - and found this!
The main study Cameron links to is well-worth showing AL students as it's a cool example of how to set out a Language Investigation.
pudding.cool/2025/07/kids...
pudding.cool/2025/07/kids...
October 25, 2025 at 7:53 AM
The main study Cameron links to is well-worth showing AL students as it's a cool example of how to set out a Language Investigation.
pudding.cool/2025/07/kids...
pudding.cool/2025/07/kids...
A fascinating post from Deborah Cameron on language, gender and representation, discussing the gendering of animals in children's books and the real world, and why 'default maleing' is a problem.
debuk.wordpress.com
debuk.wordpress.com
language: a feminist guide
debuk.wordpress.com
October 25, 2025 at 7:50 AM
A fascinating post from Deborah Cameron on language, gender and representation, discussing the gendering of animals in children's books and the real world, and why 'default maleing' is a problem.
debuk.wordpress.com
debuk.wordpress.com
Reposted
i am still in shock but I have won a Philip Leverhulme Prize. starting in autumn 2026 for 3 years, i’ll be looking at linguistic justice in schools, particularly in how children and teachers engage in radical, grassroots activism for structural change. it's such an honour to receive this funding 🌸🩷
The Trust is thrilled to announce the 2025 Philip Leverhulme Prize Winners. Congratulations to this year’s cohort. Thirty extraordinary researchers from across a range of disciplines: leverhulme.ac.uk/news/2025PLP
October 21, 2025 at 8:42 AM
i am still in shock but I have won a Philip Leverhulme Prize. starting in autumn 2026 for 3 years, i’ll be looking at linguistic justice in schools, particularly in how children and teachers engage in radical, grassroots activism for structural change. it's such an honour to receive this funding 🌸🩷
Reposted
A national focus on comprehension would be brilliant.
Interestingly, a key aspect of the HfL Fluency project is comprehension work. I know bc we took part.
But fluency work seems to have taken off at sec decoupled from any signf focus on comprehension.
Simplistic messaging can distort practice.
Interestingly, a key aspect of the HfL Fluency project is comprehension work. I know bc we took part.
But fluency work seems to have taken off at sec decoupled from any signf focus on comprehension.
Simplistic messaging can distort practice.
October 19, 2025 at 1:57 PM
A national focus on comprehension would be brilliant.
Interestingly, a key aspect of the HfL Fluency project is comprehension work. I know bc we took part.
But fluency work seems to have taken off at sec decoupled from any signf focus on comprehension.
Simplistic messaging can distort practice.
Interestingly, a key aspect of the HfL Fluency project is comprehension work. I know bc we took part.
But fluency work seems to have taken off at sec decoupled from any signf focus on comprehension.
Simplistic messaging can distort practice.
Reposted
I've seen lots of excellent but also some dubious practice due to lack of prof knowledge eg multilingual students doing an online intervention staring at screens when a tchr, text & rich discussion would have been much more beneficial.
October 19, 2025 at 1:50 PM
I've seen lots of excellent but also some dubious practice due to lack of prof knowledge eg multilingual students doing an online intervention staring at screens when a tchr, text & rich discussion would have been much more beneficial.
Reposted
'chance' - that is exactly what I argued in my CAR submission! Too much is left to chance & this isn't equitable.
How SLT support & enable the Reading Lead... if SLT prioritise Reading... if the sch has access to high quality PD... if the sch has a librarian & well-resourced library.. and so on.
How SLT support & enable the Reading Lead... if SLT prioritise Reading... if the sch has access to high quality PD... if the sch has a librarian & well-resourced library.. and so on.
October 19, 2025 at 1:45 PM
'chance' - that is exactly what I argued in my CAR submission! Too much is left to chance & this isn't equitable.
How SLT support & enable the Reading Lead... if SLT prioritise Reading... if the sch has access to high quality PD... if the sch has a librarian & well-resourced library.. and so on.
How SLT support & enable the Reading Lead... if SLT prioritise Reading... if the sch has access to high quality PD... if the sch has a librarian & well-resourced library.. and so on.
Reposted
I am concerned that all these big ticket plans of the government do not actually address the fundamentals of how and in what ways we need to support students.
It leaves that bit (the most important bit) to chance.
I have seen all sorts of strange things going on in secondary schools.
It leaves that bit (the most important bit) to chance.
I have seen all sorts of strange things going on in secondary schools.
October 19, 2025 at 11:28 AM
I am concerned that all these big ticket plans of the government do not actually address the fundamentals of how and in what ways we need to support students.
It leaves that bit (the most important bit) to chance.
I have seen all sorts of strange things going on in secondary schools.
It leaves that bit (the most important bit) to chance.
I have seen all sorts of strange things going on in secondary schools.
Reposted
Yes, Jessie’s work is referring to how students are expected to read in s’dry. It is different from primary and this can present a range of different challenges
But, if we had a broader focus at primary, and were not just limited to word reading, then many of these difficulties could be picked up.
But, if we had a broader focus at primary, and were not just limited to word reading, then many of these difficulties could be picked up.
October 19, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Yes, Jessie’s work is referring to how students are expected to read in s’dry. It is different from primary and this can present a range of different challenges
But, if we had a broader focus at primary, and were not just limited to word reading, then many of these difficulties could be picked up.
But, if we had a broader focus at primary, and were not just limited to word reading, then many of these difficulties could be picked up.
Reposted
Couldn’t agree more. ATM all of this seems utterly random. I can’t think of any good reason why testing in Yr8 is particularly appropriate- from a research/development perspective.
Children who develop reading needs later on in secondary school are likely to have shown those difficulties earlier.
Children who develop reading needs later on in secondary school are likely to have shown those difficulties earlier.
October 19, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Couldn’t agree more. ATM all of this seems utterly random. I can’t think of any good reason why testing in Yr8 is particularly appropriate- from a research/development perspective.
Children who develop reading needs later on in secondary school are likely to have shown those difficulties earlier.
Children who develop reading needs later on in secondary school are likely to have shown those difficulties earlier.
Reposted
Who is advising the Secretary of State on these issues, I wonder? It seems so misguided. And Phonics is NOT the same as reading. Even more of a relentless focus on phonics might actually produce fewer good readers! Surely a point must come when this is recognised?
October 16, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Who is advising the Secretary of State on these issues, I wonder? It seems so misguided. And Phonics is NOT the same as reading. Even more of a relentless focus on phonics might actually produce fewer good readers! Surely a point must come when this is recognised?