Elizabeth Draper @draperel
LightNews LightNews
banner
draperel.bsky.social
Elizabeth Draper @draperel
@draperel.bsky.social
880 followers 830 following 730 posts
30+ yrs English teacher,post-16-SFC & FE. #JoyFE 💛📖📚📙✍️🗣️🎧Campaigner for bringing creative & critical thinking back into ❤️of education.Deputy Chair, trustee, Fellow of @englishassociation.bsky.social
The English Association #EnglishTeaching / North West
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
draperel.bsky.social
Elizabeth Draper @draperel @draperel.bsky.social · Aug 23
Please read response below to GCSE resit 2025 situation. Not only but also curriculum approach. The resit world is rich with consequences of society’s shortcomings, society should respect this, policy makers should take note, funding priorities & infrastructure should definitely reflect this.
Screen shot of post available on my Linked In page.
draperel.bsky.social
A great blog/think piece on future of English Language at Key Stage 3 & 4 from Dan Clayton @engmediacentre.bsky.social @englangblog.bsky.social
#CAR #Curriculum #Language #Assessment #TeamEnglish @englishassociation.bsky.social @bobeaglestone.bsky.social
@clarefeeneyuk.bsky.social
draperel.bsky.social Elizabeth Draper @draperel @draperel.bsky.social · 3h
“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...
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 4:00 PM
draperel.bsky.social
“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...
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
draperel.bsky.social
Great opportunities to connect!#community #EnglishTeaching #CPD #ThinkingForwards ⬇️⬇️
February 10, 2026 at 7:18 PM
Reposted by Elizabeth Draper @draperel
greenparty.org.uk
Preventable deaths in the channel.

Increasing refugee homelessness.

All the result of cruel political decisions by the old parties.

The 99% have more in common with someone seeking safety and community than with the billionaires pointing the finger.

Refugees welcome.
REAL HOPE. REAL CHANCE REFUGEES WELCOME Green Party Promoted by Chris Williams on behalf of The Green Party, both at PO Box 78066, London SE16 9GQ
February 6, 2026 at 12:22 PM
Reposted by Elizabeth Draper @draperel
sas-news.bsky.social
📢 A major new study led by the University of Stirling with an international team including our Dean, Professor Claire Gorrara, has been awarded £1.5m from the AHRC to explore how healthy language-learning cultures are built and sustained across the Celtic nations.

👉 www.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
Major new study will pave the way for better language learning across the Celtic Nations
A major new study involving the University of London and led by the University of Stirling will explore how healthy language-learning cultures are built and sustained.
www.sas.ac.uk
February 6, 2026 at 12:13 PM
Reposted by Elizabeth Draper @draperel
poetrysociety.org.uk
Thank you to our brilliant poets Matt Abbott and Cassandra Parkin who have been visiting Rotherham schools as part of our project in collaboration with local green engineering firm AESSEAL. Year 7 and 8 students from 6 schools have written a stack of excellent poems imagining a greener future!
Poet Matt Abbott delivers a poetry workshop in a classroom of secondary-school students. Poet Matt Abbott delivers a poetry workshop in a classroom of secondary-school students. Secondary-school students taking part in a poetry workshop. Secondary-school students taking part in a poetry workshop.
February 7, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Reposted by Elizabeth Draper @draperel
agrayarchive.bsky.social
Gray Day 2025 marks 45 years of Lanark. Alasdair Gray’s novel, published by @canongate.co.uk, fuses visual art and text: self-designed covers, allegorical panels, Glasgow landscapes, and an eccentric 3-1-2-4 structure—learn more about the familiar faces he used for the book cover 👇🏽
February 7, 2026 at 10:09 AM
Reposted by Elizabeth Draper @draperel
englangblog.bsky.social
In case you missed it, we've got a new episode up. It's here 👇🏼
February 7, 2026 at 12:18 PM
Reposted by Elizabeth Draper @draperel
asls.org.uk
From 2020: Jackie Kay reads her poem “Darling”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn17...
‘Darling’ – A poem by Professor Jackie Kay CBE
YouTube video by University of Salford
www.youtube.com
February 7, 2026 at 12:31 PM
Reposted by Elizabeth Draper @draperel
asls.org.uk
You might forget the exact sound of her voice
or how her face looked when sleeping.
You might forget the sound of her quiet weeping
curled into the shape of a half moon…

—Jackie Kay, “Darling”
published in DARLING, @bloodaxebooks.bsky.social 2007
#poem #poetry
www.bloodaxebooks.com/ecs/product/...
Darling by Jackie Kay You might forget the exact sound of her voice or how her face looked when sleeping. You might forget the sound of her quiet weeping curled into the shape of a half moon, when smaller than her self, she seemed already to be leaving before she left, when the blossom was on the trees and the sun was out, and all seemed good in the world. I held her hand and sang a song from when I was a girl – Heel y’ho boys, let her go boys – and when I stopped singing she had slipped away, already a slip of a girl again, skipping off, her heart light, her face almost smiling. And what I didn’t know or couldn’t say then was that she hadn’t really gone. The dead don’t go till you do, loved ones. The dead are still here holding our hands.
February 7, 2026 at 12:31 PM
Reposted by Elizabeth Draper @draperel
asls.org.uk
Charles Dickens took the name “Ebenezer Scrooge” from the Edinburgh gravestone of Ebenezer Scroggie, after misreading Scroggie’s occupation – “meal man”, i.e. grain merchant – as “mean man”.

Or did he? The story may only date back to 2004…
#BookWormSat
www.edinburghinquirer.co.uk/p/the-strang...
The strange case of Charles Dickens and a disappearing Edinburgh gravestone
In search of the truth about the inspiration behind Ebenezer Scrooge
www.edinburghinquirer.co.uk
February 7, 2026 at 12:45 PM
Reposted by Elizabeth Draper @draperel
hetanshah.bsky.social
Important! AHRC is looking for a new Executive Chair. A critical role for arts and humanities. £160k - £170k. Please share widely to help get the best possible field!
fa-evzn-saasfaukgovprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
UK Research and Innovation Arts and Humanities Research Council Executive Chair Candidate Prospectus January 2026
February 3, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Reposted by Elizabeth Draper @draperel
uolpress.bsky.social
Any publishing/production people who might be open to a new role or know anyone who might be - please share!

www.jobs.london.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
January 29, 2026 at 5:58 PM
draperel.bsky.social
⬇️🙌🏼
englishassociation.bsky.social The English Association @englishassociation.bsky.social · 8d
‘Stormzy calls reading a ‘superpower’ as he backs accessible books campaign.
The musician is championing the annual Quick Reads initiative, which will release six short, digestible titles for ‘nonreaders and lapsed readers’ in April for £1 each’ www.theguardian.com/books/2026/f...
Stormzy calls reading a ‘superpower’ as he backs accessible books campaign
The musician is championing the annual Quick Reads initiative, which will release six short, digestible titles for ‘nonreaders and lapsed readers’ in April for £1 each
www.theguardian.com
February 3, 2026 at 8:33 PM
draperel.bsky.social
The Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper has brought new attention to the resit landscape. Read @pearson.bsky.social
latest Let’s Talk English mini series report. I’m glad to have contributed to discussions.
👉 Read Rethinking Resits in English report or visit go.pearson.com/letstalkenglish
Let's Talk English
Let's Talk English
go.pearson.com
February 3, 2026 at 6:42 PM
draperel.bsky.social
#CAR What will the curriculum and assessment review mean for English ? ⬇️⬇️⬇️
February 3, 2026 at 5:31 PM
draperel.bsky.social
⬇️⬇️⬇️🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
englishassociation.bsky.social The English Association @englishassociation.bsky.social · 9d
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! 😊⬇️⬇️
February 3, 2026 at 5:30 PM
draperel.bsky.social
⬇️⬇️⬇️
February 3, 2026 at 5:30 PM
draperel.bsky.social
This ⬇️⬇️📚📘📕📖📙📗
January 26, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Reposted by Elizabeth Draper @draperel
eicathomefinn.bsky.social
Great job with a great academic press.
uolpress.bsky.social University of London Press @uolpress.bsky.social · 17d
🚨 * VACANCY! *
We're currently recruiting a new Production Manager to join our small, friendly team. More info below:
www.jobs.london.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...

⏰ Deadline: Sun 15th Feb

Please share with your networks!
#PublishingJobs #JobsInPublishing
@oipassoc.bsky.social @alpsp.bsky.social
www.jobs.london.ac.uk
January 25, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Reposted by Elizabeth Draper @draperel
stevehyndside.bsky.social
The wonderful @carladenyer.bsky.social is looking for a media officer - please do apply/share etc greenparty.org.uk/get-involved...
Media Officer for Green MP (Carla Denyer) - Green Party
Media Officer to Carla Denyer MP | Green Party Careers Now Hiring Media Officer to Carla Denyer MP Join the parliamentary team of Green Party MP Carla Denyer to lead media, communications and campaign...
greenparty.org.uk
January 24, 2026 at 8:47 PM
draperel.bsky.social
#Burns night. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🥃🥃❤️

Epitaph. Here lies Robert Fergusson, Poet
Photo of the Burns poem Epitaph : here lies Robert Ferguson Poet
January 25, 2026 at 9:51 AM
Reposted by Elizabeth Draper @draperel
yalebooks.bsky.social
Robert Burns is celebrated as Scotland’s national poet each #BurnsNight, but his influence reaches far beyond. In this extract, @murrayp.bsky.social explores how his poetry came to embody ideas of universal humanity as well as Scottish identity.

yalebooks.co.uk/the-story-of... #skystorians
The Story of Robert Burns - Yale University Press London
Robert Burns is celebrated as Scotland’s national poet each Burns Night, but his influence reaches far beyond the country he wrote about so vividly. How Murray Pittock’s Scotland is an engaging and au...
yalebooks.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 1:54 PM
draperel.bsky.social
Hugely sad news. Deborah Cameron. Such a source of inspiration & influence. Especially thinking of A-level English Language experience as teacher/ student /for any interested in fascinating world of linguistics/ language & gender/ the strong powerful lens of groundbreaking feminist analysis. RIP.
englangblog.bsky.social EngLangBlog @englangblog.bsky.social · 22d
Desperately sad news about Deborah Cameron today. She was such a brilliant, incisive presence in the world of linguistics and particularly language and gender. Don't know what else to say but I'm sure there will be many tributes paid to her and her work in the days to come.
January 22, 2026 at 11:22 AM
Reposted by Elizabeth Draper @draperel
eicathomefinn.bsky.social
'MusicFutures is one of two creative industries clusters funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council in 2024. UKRI announced in December that it would spend £369 million over four years on the creative industries. Of this £100m is to be spent on new creative industries clusters.' 3/3
January 21, 2026 at 3:49 PM