DamsonEd
@damsoned.bsky.social
Dr Megan Dixon: teacher, leader and researcher. PhD, Psychology. All things education and research - literacy, English, research into practice, curriculum, SEND. TES writer. Based in the UK.
https://meganjanedixon.co.uk/2026/01/02/pivoting/
https://meganjanedixon.co.uk/2026/01/02/pivoting/
Pinned
DamsonEd
@damsoned.bsky.social
· May 8
What schools are doing to tackle the speech and language ‘crisis’
The number of children with speech and language challenges is soaring. And not all of these pupils have SEND. Experts tell Ellen Peirson-Hagger how in-school intervention is possible - and highly effe...
www.tes.com
On the back of this article- a thread of useful places for schools/teachers who are interested in finding out more… as I say, this has been a serious issue for a long time… it would be powerful to get a serious handle on it (with obvious impact on ed outcomes).
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
Reposted by DamsonEd
This is the collection of outdoor practitioners that the wonderful @creativestar.bsky.social put together. We will all sorely miss her
I've just created an outdoor learning and play enthusiasts starter pack. Let me know if you want to be added. Experiments never fail... go.bsky.app/BUwWDT2 #EYFS
#eyoutdoors #playworkers #forestschool #childrennature
#outdoored #riskyplay #primaryoutdoors #KS1outdoors #KS2outdoors
#eyoutdoors #playworkers #forestschool #childrennature
#outdoored #riskyplay #primaryoutdoors #KS1outdoors #KS2outdoors
January 3, 2026 at 9:07 AM
This is the collection of outdoor practitioners that the wonderful @creativestar.bsky.social put together. We will all sorely miss her
Reposted by DamsonEd
Twitter like all socials is a bubble
Cambridge analytica showed that.
Something like 98% of twitter posts in 2017 were by 4% of account holders.
The average Joe doesn’t use it. But the public sector is told, for some reason, to use socials. Idk why. I can guess. But it needs to stop.
Cambridge analytica showed that.
Something like 98% of twitter posts in 2017 were by 4% of account holders.
The average Joe doesn’t use it. But the public sector is told, for some reason, to use socials. Idk why. I can guess. But it needs to stop.
Lost amid the discussion of why the Government should get off X is its utter uselessness as an engagement tool and the fact departments are wasting vast sums making content for it. Take this:
January 3, 2026 at 9:23 AM
Twitter like all socials is a bubble
Cambridge analytica showed that.
Something like 98% of twitter posts in 2017 were by 4% of account holders.
The average Joe doesn’t use it. But the public sector is told, for some reason, to use socials. Idk why. I can guess. But it needs to stop.
Cambridge analytica showed that.
Something like 98% of twitter posts in 2017 were by 4% of account holders.
The average Joe doesn’t use it. But the public sector is told, for some reason, to use socials. Idk why. I can guess. But it needs to stop.
Reposted by DamsonEd
There is, to my mind, no justification for the continued use by the UK Government of X as a platform for official comms. There hasn't been for some time, in fact, but if the latest developments around AI-generated image abuse and CSAM don't change the policy I really don't know what will.
NEW: People are using Elon Musk's chatbot, Grok, to alter images to depict real women being sexually abused, humiliated, hurt, and even killed.
futurism.com/future-socie...
futurism.com/future-socie...
Grok Is Being Used to Depict Horrific Violence Against Real Women
People are asking Elon Musk's Grok chatbot to alter images to depict women being sexually abused, humiliated, and even killed.
futurism.com
January 2, 2026 at 9:18 PM
There is, to my mind, no justification for the continued use by the UK Government of X as a platform for official comms. There hasn't been for some time, in fact, but if the latest developments around AI-generated image abuse and CSAM don't change the policy I really don't know what will.
Reposted by DamsonEd
It seems bookdown is shutting down, and so I've migrated the free online version of Evaluating What Works here:
dorothybishop-evaluating-what-works.share.connect.posit.cloud
Hard copy also available here:
www.routledge.com/Evaluating-W...
dorothybishop-evaluating-what-works.share.connect.posit.cloud
Hard copy also available here:
www.routledge.com/Evaluating-W...
Evaluating What Works: An Intuitive Guide to Intervention Research for Practitioners
Those who work in allied health professions and education aim to make people’s lives better. Often, however, it is hard to know how effective this work has been: would change have occurred if there wa...
www.routledge.com
January 3, 2026 at 8:42 AM
It seems bookdown is shutting down, and so I've migrated the free online version of Evaluating What Works here:
dorothybishop-evaluating-what-works.share.connect.posit.cloud
Hard copy also available here:
www.routledge.com/Evaluating-W...
dorothybishop-evaluating-what-works.share.connect.posit.cloud
Hard copy also available here:
www.routledge.com/Evaluating-W...
Reposted by DamsonEd
I’ll be reading everything you write Megan! I’ve always found your knowledge & wisdom so valuable and have turned to you to hear your views, especially on everything to do with reading. I first realised the importance of your voice in those TES columns!
January 3, 2026 at 7:52 AM
I’ll be reading everything you write Megan! I’ve always found your knowledge & wisdom so valuable and have turned to you to hear your views, especially on everything to do with reading. I first realised the importance of your voice in those TES columns!
Reposted by DamsonEd
I will be following and saving every word. No holding back, as ever...love it Megan!
January 3, 2026 at 1:17 AM
I will be following and saving every word. No holding back, as ever...love it Megan!
Reposted by DamsonEd
I want to hear what you have to say. ❤️
January 2, 2026 at 10:42 PM
I want to hear what you have to say. ❤️
Reposted by DamsonEd
Don't wait for a crisis to happen. Whatever you're facing, let's face it together 💙
Call our free and confidential helpline, available to all teachers and education staff.
📞We're here for you - 08000 562 561
Call our free and confidential helpline, available to all teachers and education staff.
📞We're here for you - 08000 562 561
January 2, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Don't wait for a crisis to happen. Whatever you're facing, let's face it together 💙
Call our free and confidential helpline, available to all teachers and education staff.
📞We're here for you - 08000 562 561
Call our free and confidential helpline, available to all teachers and education staff.
📞We're here for you - 08000 562 561
Reposted by DamsonEd
Seemingly, it really is time to leave X.
January 2, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Seemingly, it really is time to leave X.
Reposted by DamsonEd
I don't honestly see how the DfE and Ofsted remaining on Twitter meets the teacher standards. Surely it's not safeguarding pupils' wellbeing or showing respect for the rights of others? Sorry to go on about it but really? 😔
January 2, 2026 at 8:25 PM
I don't honestly see how the DfE and Ofsted remaining on Twitter meets the teacher standards. Surely it's not safeguarding pupils' wellbeing or showing respect for the rights of others? Sorry to go on about it but really? 😔
Reposted by DamsonEd
In this Year of Reading, a gentle reminder:
The best way to get your kids reading is to let them see *you* reading. The way to *stop* your kids reading is to criticize their choices, or to make reading a competition, or a punishment, or a race, or a learning tool. Let it be fun. Let them read.
The best way to get your kids reading is to let them see *you* reading. The way to *stop* your kids reading is to criticize their choices, or to make reading a competition, or a punishment, or a race, or a learning tool. Let it be fun. Let them read.
January 2, 2026 at 7:23 PM
In this Year of Reading, a gentle reminder:
The best way to get your kids reading is to let them see *you* reading. The way to *stop* your kids reading is to criticize their choices, or to make reading a competition, or a punishment, or a race, or a learning tool. Let it be fun. Let them read.
The best way to get your kids reading is to let them see *you* reading. The way to *stop* your kids reading is to criticize their choices, or to make reading a competition, or a punishment, or a race, or a learning tool. Let it be fun. Let them read.
Reposted by DamsonEd
Looking for a low-cost open goal to advance Labour's battle against misogyny?
Why not a government pledge to leave Musk's platforms by the end of the month, in response to Grok and X's disgraceful and persistent contributions to the problem? @torstenbell.bsky.social
Why not a government pledge to leave Musk's platforms by the end of the month, in response to Grok and X's disgraceful and persistent contributions to the problem? @torstenbell.bsky.social
Boys to learn difference between porn and real life to tackle misogyny in England’s schools
Teachers to be given extra training as Keir Starmer warns ‘toxic ideas are taking hold early and going unchallenged’
www.theguardian.com
January 2, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Looking for a low-cost open goal to advance Labour's battle against misogyny?
Why not a government pledge to leave Musk's platforms by the end of the month, in response to Grok and X's disgraceful and persistent contributions to the problem? @torstenbell.bsky.social
Why not a government pledge to leave Musk's platforms by the end of the month, in response to Grok and X's disgraceful and persistent contributions to the problem? @torstenbell.bsky.social
Reposted by DamsonEd
Megan is a vastly experienced teacher, leader and trainer - I look forward to reading her insights & learning more.
You are welcome.
I shall continue to write over the next few months. I hope you will follow. I have done a lot in my career, learnt a lot and taught many children to read, and taught many teachers to teach children to read. I have been a headteacher, a MAT leader, a teacher trainer at University…
I shall continue to write over the next few months. I hope you will follow. I have done a lot in my career, learnt a lot and taught many children to read, and taught many teachers to teach children to read. I have been a headteacher, a MAT leader, a teacher trainer at University…
January 2, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Megan is a vastly experienced teacher, leader and trainer - I look forward to reading her insights & learning more.
Reposted by DamsonEd
Thank you for writing this. ❤️
January 2, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Thank you for writing this. ❤️
Reposted by DamsonEd
What a lot of people don’t understand is that Twitter or other social media “views” and paid for followers can make people money.
It doesn’t matter if they get 10k shares mocking them- they can tell advertisers or clients that they have “engagement”.
So that’s why you should avoid Twitter etc
It doesn’t matter if they get 10k shares mocking them- they can tell advertisers or clients that they have “engagement”.
So that’s why you should avoid Twitter etc
January 2, 2026 at 1:53 PM
What a lot of people don’t understand is that Twitter or other social media “views” and paid for followers can make people money.
It doesn’t matter if they get 10k shares mocking them- they can tell advertisers or clients that they have “engagement”.
So that’s why you should avoid Twitter etc
It doesn’t matter if they get 10k shares mocking them- they can tell advertisers or clients that they have “engagement”.
So that’s why you should avoid Twitter etc
I am writing - here is my first blog of 2026. This year will be the year where I write all those things I promised myself I would write, when I had the time.
Now I have the time.
meganjanedixon.co.uk/2026/01/02/p...
Now I have the time.
meganjanedixon.co.uk/2026/01/02/p...
Pivoting
In November 2024, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. A nasty, sneaky, fast growing type of breast cancer: stage 3, grade 3, locally invasive triple negative breast cancer for those who know about …
meganjanedixon.co.uk
January 2, 2026 at 2:12 PM
I am writing - here is my first blog of 2026. This year will be the year where I write all those things I promised myself I would write, when I had the time.
Now I have the time.
meganjanedixon.co.uk/2026/01/02/p...
Now I have the time.
meganjanedixon.co.uk/2026/01/02/p...
Reposted by DamsonEd
I was in the Guardian today, talking about Words of the Year. My quotes just go to show: I'm much more articulate when responding to reporters by email than on the phone!
Incidentally, my cynicism about dictionary WotYs was about one particular one this year
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Incidentally, my cynicism about dictionary WotYs was about one particular one this year
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Rage bait, goblin mode … do words of the year have any real value?
Analysis shows obscure and barely used choices, drawn from online slang, do not stand the test of time
www.theguardian.com
January 1, 2026 at 10:59 PM
I was in the Guardian today, talking about Words of the Year. My quotes just go to show: I'm much more articulate when responding to reporters by email than on the phone!
Incidentally, my cynicism about dictionary WotYs was about one particular one this year
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Incidentally, my cynicism about dictionary WotYs was about one particular one this year
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Reposted by DamsonEd
Gonzo started 2024 with a 90% and 2025 with an 85%. Four of the five New Year’s Day crimbs were victim crimbs (Momb - 2024, Sally x2, Fizgig - 2025) and one Hellocobber shelve (2024).
This is absolutely a break from tradition!
This is absolutely a break from tradition!
January 2, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Gonzo started 2024 with a 90% and 2025 with an 85%. Four of the five New Year’s Day crimbs were victim crimbs (Momb - 2024, Sally x2, Fizgig - 2025) and one Hellocobber shelve (2024).
This is absolutely a break from tradition!
This is absolutely a break from tradition!
Reposted by DamsonEd
Agree. We don’t need to engage over there and TT and all the TT radio and Bennett acolytes and harmful inspection and burnout culture folk will simply cease to make money if we do.
January 2, 2026 at 12:59 PM
Agree. We don’t need to engage over there and TT and all the TT radio and Bennett acolytes and harmful inspection and burnout culture folk will simply cease to make money if we do.
Reposted by DamsonEd
I feel deeply despondent at some of the education posts I see. But I also get so many teachers saying, when I meet them, how grateful they are for voices like mine, carefully arguing back. They don't speak themselves, so it's not clear just how many are out there quietly reading & considering.
January 2, 2026 at 12:32 PM
I feel deeply despondent at some of the education posts I see. But I also get so many teachers saying, when I meet them, how grateful they are for voices like mine, carefully arguing back. They don't speak themselves, so it's not clear just how many are out there quietly reading & considering.
Reposted by DamsonEd
Just out in paperback
January 2, 2026 at 10:18 AM
Just out in paperback
Reposted by DamsonEd
It's the national year of reading in the uk in 2026. Instead of asking "why don't kids read any more", ask "how can I help them find the stories (and non fic) they will fall in love with". Less "get off my lawn whippersnappers" and more "come, sit on the lawn, here's a comic".
January 1, 2026 at 9:47 AM
It's the national year of reading in the uk in 2026. Instead of asking "why don't kids read any more", ask "how can I help them find the stories (and non fic) they will fall in love with". Less "get off my lawn whippersnappers" and more "come, sit on the lawn, here's a comic".
Reposted by DamsonEd
Every child with speech and language challenges deserves support. Those with challenges due to neurodivergence or disability need a legal guarantee to ongoing support. We will keep pushing for this as part of the Disabled Children's Partnership.
https://lnkd.in/e6YTX9Pe
https://lnkd.in/e6YTX9Pe
Children ‘to lose right to Send support’ except in severe cases
Schools to take over from parents to deal with authorities directly for pupils with only ‘moderate’ needs in proposed government reforms to cut soaring bills
www.thetimes.com
January 2, 2026 at 9:36 AM
Every child with speech and language challenges deserves support. Those with challenges due to neurodivergence or disability need a legal guarantee to ongoing support. We will keep pushing for this as part of the Disabled Children's Partnership.
https://lnkd.in/e6YTX9Pe
https://lnkd.in/e6YTX9Pe
Reposted by DamsonEd
I've posted a screenshot of this post on the cess pit that is Twitter because I don't think they even monitor their accounts here. Given that the DfE has previously kept screenshots of my tweets and discussed them in emails, maybe they will see it.
Hello @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social. The DfE and @ofstednews.bsky.social should not be posting on a social media site where users are openly posting abusive images of women and children without censure. Why are government accounts still there, thus encouraging teachers to stay? You must be aware of it.
January 2, 2026 at 9:51 AM
I've posted a screenshot of this post on the cess pit that is Twitter because I don't think they even monitor their accounts here. Given that the DfE has previously kept screenshots of my tweets and discussed them in emails, maybe they will see it.
Reposted by DamsonEd
Just in case you're not clear what I'm referring to, unbelievably this isn't even the worst of it.
bsky.app/profile/numb...
bsky.app/profile/numb...
January 2, 2026 at 9:16 AM
Just in case you're not clear what I'm referring to, unbelievably this isn't even the worst of it.
bsky.app/profile/numb...
bsky.app/profile/numb...