Mr D Brian
@dbrian2.bsky.social
UK primary teacher. Interested in fairness/outcomes for all children.
Reposted by Mr D Brian
Great article. Practical and actionable guidance from @greeborunner.bsky.social
So important that we really know what our children can and can’t do.
So important that we really know what our children can and can’t do.
What does Ofsted mean by ‘foundational knowledge’? And how can schools show that they are delivering it? @greeborunner.bsky.social offers some answers
What schools need to understand about foundational knowledge
The renewed Ofsted framework refers to foundational knowledge. What is it, and how can schools demonstrate that they are providing it?
www.tes.com
February 16, 2026 at 6:53 AM
Great article. Practical and actionable guidance from @greeborunner.bsky.social
So important that we really know what our children can and can’t do.
So important that we really know what our children can and can’t do.
Reposted by Mr D Brian
I see various people posting this up. Here’s me from 2001 talking about AI. Dunno how accurate it is. I hope it isn’t. youtu.be/6mvUqM2Ty5c?...
Conference "A.I." from the Armando Iannucci Show
YouTube video by Simon Kidd
youtu.be
February 16, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Reposted by Mr D Brian
www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202... how bizarre and inhumane is this?
‘Absolute hell’: Irishman with valid US work permit held by Ice since September
Seamus Culleton has been in a detention facility in Texas for nearly five months despite having no criminal record
www.irishtimes.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:15 PM
www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202... how bizarre and inhumane is this?
Bizarre story in the Mail today in which journo claims to be early victim of Ghislaine Maxwell because she falsely accused him of stealing her peanuts to get his chocolate bar when they were 5 yrs old. How can you even mention this in the same breath as victims of sex trafficking...
February 8, 2026 at 9:05 PM
Bizarre story in the Mail today in which journo claims to be early victim of Ghislaine Maxwell because she falsely accused him of stealing her peanuts to get his chocolate bar when they were 5 yrs old. How can you even mention this in the same breath as victims of sex trafficking...
Reposted by Mr D Brian
In case you've not read it yet 'Disabled people's lived experience of education in the UK' is not going to surprise anyone with direct knowledge but it's still is tough to process. And those less familiar with disability should prioritise reading and acting on this report www.gov.uk/government/p...
Disabled people's lived experience of education in the UK
A qualitative evidence review that explores evidence on disabled people’s lived experiences of education.
www.gov.uk
February 7, 2026 at 10:53 AM
In case you've not read it yet 'Disabled people's lived experience of education in the UK' is not going to surprise anyone with direct knowledge but it's still is tough to process. And those less familiar with disability should prioritise reading and acting on this report www.gov.uk/government/p...
Goodness, how we tried to make the system work for years before leaving it.The idea that anyone from the state has any right to lecture us when we've experienced service failure after service failure...
We will not find a raft of hidden children. A few perfectly content previously unknown families, sure. But the majority of currently home educating families deregistered from school after years of fighting for support and we know perfectly well who they are and why they chose that.
February 7, 2026 at 10:31 AM
Goodness, how we tried to make the system work for years before leaving it.The idea that anyone from the state has any right to lecture us when we've experienced service failure after service failure...
"According to 2025 school census, only 24 of 20,200 mainstream schools in England had >=25% pupils with EHCPs
Most of the 24 schools have a SEN unit or resource base..."
@captaink77.bsky.social
Most of the 24 schools have a SEN unit or resource base..."
@captaink77.bsky.social
Speaking to a Head last week, near 25% of the incoming cohort has EHCPs. Not just SEND - that list is bigger still - but EHCP. Either this system is broke, or there has been such a huge rise in special needs and disabilities that there needs to be a full national enquiry
February 6, 2026 at 11:04 PM
"According to 2025 school census, only 24 of 20,200 mainstream schools in England had >=25% pupils with EHCPs
Most of the 24 schools have a SEN unit or resource base..."
@captaink77.bsky.social
Most of the 24 schools have a SEN unit or resource base..."
@captaink77.bsky.social
Reposted by Mr D Brian
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 by Mr D Brian
I've written an essay on the politics of neurodiversity, drawing on the vital books by @drrobertchapman.bsky.social and @dr-nicky.bsky.social. I hope it will serve as a primer for anyone new to the topic (and maybe prompt questions for those who know it well)
journals.lwbooks.co.uk/newformation...
journals.lwbooks.co.uk/newformation...
February 5, 2026 at 9:27 AM
I've written an essay on the politics of neurodiversity, drawing on the vital books by @drrobertchapman.bsky.social and @dr-nicky.bsky.social. I hope it will serve as a primer for anyone new to the topic (and maybe prompt questions for those who know it well)
journals.lwbooks.co.uk/newformation...
journals.lwbooks.co.uk/newformation...
One of my children went through this in 2018 and the response of staff was very much "we've never seen anything like this before". So weird to me that, what felt highly unusual, has become a national story.
One in six autistic pupils in UK have not attended school at all since September
One in six autistic pupils in UK have not attended school at all since September
Data comes as government prepares to publish plans to overhaul Send system in England
One in six autistic pupils have not been to school at all since the start of this academic year, according to a new survey which found that mental health issues were often behind high levels of school absence.
Nearly half (45%) of the parents and children who responded to the UK-wide survey by the Ambitious About Autism charity said they felt “blamed” by the government for the absences. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:15 PM
One of my children went through this in 2018 and the response of staff was very much "we've never seen anything like this before". So weird to me that, what felt highly unusual, has become a national story.
Reposted by Mr D Brian
If you haven’t seen this, it’s about time you did.
Sound up!
Sound up!
August 17, 2025 at 7:49 PM
If you haven’t seen this, it’s about time you did.
Sound up!
Sound up!
Reposted by Mr D Brian
The shortage of specialist mental health beds "more than minimally contributed" to the death of a 16‑year‑old who died while sectioned, a jury has found.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Mental health bed shortage contributed to Ellame Ford-Dunn's death, jury finds
Ellame Ford-Dunn, 16, died while sectioned under the care of Bluefin ward at Worthing Hospital.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 6:48 PM
The shortage of specialist mental health beds "more than minimally contributed" to the death of a 16‑year‑old who died while sectioned, a jury has found.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Mr D Brian
February 1, 2026 at 10:23 PM
Reposted by Mr D Brian
Stella Carlson - known as "Pink Jacket Lady" - is a hero! 🙌🏻
She gave a courageous 19 min interview telling her story of witnessing Alex Pretti's murder & why she feels it's important to speak out even when it puts her in danger.
I pulled out the 4 best clips. 👇🏼🧵
Part 1: Why was she there?
She gave a courageous 19 min interview telling her story of witnessing Alex Pretti's murder & why she feels it's important to speak out even when it puts her in danger.
I pulled out the 4 best clips. 👇🏼🧵
Part 1: Why was she there?
January 28, 2026 at 11:09 AM
Stella Carlson - known as "Pink Jacket Lady" - is a hero! 🙌🏻
She gave a courageous 19 min interview telling her story of witnessing Alex Pretti's murder & why she feels it's important to speak out even when it puts her in danger.
I pulled out the 4 best clips. 👇🏼🧵
Part 1: Why was she there?
She gave a courageous 19 min interview telling her story of witnessing Alex Pretti's murder & why she feels it's important to speak out even when it puts her in danger.
I pulled out the 4 best clips. 👇🏼🧵
Part 1: Why was she there?
Reposted by Mr D Brian
1 in 5 kids gets SEND support so “the vast majority“ would have to be *1 in 9* least, or more like, say 1 in 7. in fact it’s only 1 in 14 who get child disability benefit (recent IFS figs) so only a minority of kids with SEND support get CD benefit too. Milburn seems to be making up bogus stats. 🤔
Former New Labour guy Alan Milburn here in today's Times. Joins Farage in citing 'SEND diagnoses' which don't actually exist. Would love to see data on the bigger claim. Anyway, this is how "overdiagnosis" is being woven through govt policy. Getting support at school = on the fast-track to the dole
January 24, 2026 at 12:26 PM
1 in 5 kids gets SEND support so “the vast majority“ would have to be *1 in 9* least, or more like, say 1 in 7. in fact it’s only 1 in 14 who get child disability benefit (recent IFS figs) so only a minority of kids with SEND support get CD benefit too. Milburn seems to be making up bogus stats. 🤔
Reposted by Mr D Brian
Board of Peace - Season 1
January 24, 2026 at 7:45 AM
Board of Peace - Season 1
Reposted by Mr D Brian
This explains clearly why a social media ban is probably not going to work.
@lucyfoulkes.bsky.social
@jonsevers.bsky.social
www.instagram.com/p/DT0XmldDLs...
@lucyfoulkes.bsky.social
@jonsevers.bsky.social
www.instagram.com/p/DT0XmldDLs...
Dr Lucy Foulkes | Psychologist on Instagram: "Lots and lots of chat about this at the moment. Here are some of my thoughts on the topic
Digital tech + adolescents will always be such a tricky thing t...
209 likes, 52 comments - drlucyfoulkes on January 22, 2026: "Lots and lots of chat about this at the moment. Here are some of my thoughts on the topic
Digital tech + adolescents will always be such a...
www.instagram.com
January 22, 2026 at 6:17 PM
This explains clearly why a social media ban is probably not going to work.
@lucyfoulkes.bsky.social
@jonsevers.bsky.social
www.instagram.com/p/DT0XmldDLs...
@lucyfoulkes.bsky.social
@jonsevers.bsky.social
www.instagram.com/p/DT0XmldDLs...
Reposted by Mr D Brian
Not a prophetic insight as it turns out.
January 20, 2026 at 9:18 AM
Not a prophetic insight as it turns out.
Amongst the lies and the stirring of racial hatred, this is the memeable moment.
Trump: "Whoo. I'm glad my finger wasn't in that sucker. That could've dome some damage but you know what? I wouldn't have shown the pain. I would've gone back. Boy did you hear that? That was nasty. But I would not have shown the pain. I would've acted like nothing happens as my finger fell off."
January 20, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Amongst the lies and the stirring of racial hatred, this is the memeable moment.
Reposted by Mr D Brian
Quite a thread. I’m pretty invested in this.
I just woke up from a nap and somehow while I was asleep, everyone on the bus has figured out we are not going to the right place
January 20, 2026 at 8:18 AM
Quite a thread. I’m pretty invested in this.
I've been binge watching these drone footage progs, recently. Relaxing antidote to the crazy news cycle.
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
UK Seasons from the Sky
A mesmerising look at cities across the UK as they change through the seasons. Over the space of a year, drone footage captures how our landscapes transform.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 18, 2026 at 8:50 AM
I've been binge watching these drone footage progs, recently. Relaxing antidote to the crazy news cycle.
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Reposted by Mr D Brian
This is going really well so far - beyond my expectations for replies, just a few days since it launched! Lots of wonderful English teachers are responding. We want more, so keep those responses coming!
English teacher? 5 mins to spare? Your view is essential!
How is poetry being taught in secondary schools today?
We’re mapping the national picture in England & will report on it.
5 minute survey: tinyurl.com/238cz6mu
Supported by Christ Church's Tower Poetry Development Grant
How is poetry being taught in secondary schools today?
We’re mapping the national picture in England & will report on it.
5 minute survey: tinyurl.com/238cz6mu
Supported by Christ Church's Tower Poetry Development Grant
Mapping Poetry: A Survey of Secondary School Practices in England
EMC Survey into Poetry Teaching in English Secondary Schools (2026)
tinyurl.com
January 18, 2026 at 8:27 AM
This is going really well so far - beyond my expectations for replies, just a few days since it launched! Lots of wonderful English teachers are responding. We want more, so keep those responses coming!
Reposted by Mr D Brian