Barbara Jane van der Meulen
@growteachers.bsky.social
FHEA | Teacher and teacher-educator | Researcher and lead author of
education reform policy research https://rse.org.uk/how-does-the-education-reform-agenda-align-wit-scotlands-biggest-priorities/
| Dutch-Scottish hybrid | Views own
education reform policy research https://rse.org.uk/how-does-the-education-reform-agenda-align-wit-scotlands-biggest-priorities/
| Dutch-Scottish hybrid | Views own
Pinned
How does the education reform agenda align with Scotland’s biggest priorities?
The RSE calls for closer alignment of Scotland’s education and skills policy with the nation’s strategic objectives.
rse.org.uk
How can Scotland's education reform agenda advance the government's key priorities of eradicating child poverty, growing the economy, and tackling the climate emergency?
@royalsoced.bsky.social asked the question, I researched and wrote about it, and the findings are here
rse.org.uk/how-does-the...
@royalsoced.bsky.social asked the question, I researched and wrote about it, and the findings are here
rse.org.uk/how-does-the...
Reposted by Barbara Jane van der Meulen
Exclusive: Scotland is to get a new Screen Machine within months after a “colossal” effort to secure the future of the mobile cinema service for the Highlands & Islands raised almost £1.5m.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568092... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568092... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
December 9, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Exclusive: Scotland is to get a new Screen Machine within months after a “colossal” effort to secure the future of the mobile cinema service for the Highlands & Islands raised almost £1.5m.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568092... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568092... @heraldscotland.bsky.social
💜
From Bilbao to Las Vegas: Frank Gehry’s incredible architecture – in pictures www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
From Bilbao to Las Vegas: Frank Gehry’s incredible architecture – in pictures www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
From Bilbao to Las Vegas: Frank Gehry’s incredible architecture – in pictures
The award-winning designer and architect leaves behind unique buildings all across the world from Dundee to Düsseldorf. He died after a brief respiratory illness
www.theguardian.com
December 7, 2025 at 10:10 AM
💜
From Bilbao to Las Vegas: Frank Gehry’s incredible architecture – in pictures www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
From Bilbao to Las Vegas: Frank Gehry’s incredible architecture – in pictures www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
Reposted by Barbara Jane van der Meulen
A wee bit I wrote about the hammerblow of watching people from the country that gave us the Glasgow girls and Kenmure Street turn to the right. And about the opportunism of Farage as he heads north. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Nigel Farage was once run out of Edinburgh. Now Scottish voters are embracing his rabble-rousing | Dani Garavelli
The Reform leader is exploiting growing resentment towards migrants and hosting a sold-out event - something unimaginable just a few years ago, says freelance columnist Dani Garavelli
www.theguardian.com
December 6, 2025 at 8:12 AM
A wee bit I wrote about the hammerblow of watching people from the country that gave us the Glasgow girls and Kenmure Street turn to the right. And about the opportunism of Farage as he heads north. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Still dead chuffed (and astonished) that I got to see this band as a teen at the then Giants Stadium, New Jersey, circa 1988.
‘Biggest band that ever lived’: inside the Grateful Dead art show www.theguardian.com/music/2025/d...
‘Biggest band that ever lived’: inside the Grateful Dead art show www.theguardian.com/music/2025/d...
‘Biggest band that ever lived’: inside the Grateful Dead art show
As the band celebrate their 60th anniversary, a California exhibition draws attention to the unique psychedelic artwork that has long told their story
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Still dead chuffed (and astonished) that I got to see this band as a teen at the then Giants Stadium, New Jersey, circa 1988.
‘Biggest band that ever lived’: inside the Grateful Dead art show www.theguardian.com/music/2025/d...
‘Biggest band that ever lived’: inside the Grateful Dead art show www.theguardian.com/music/2025/d...
Reposted by Barbara Jane van der Meulen
A brief reminder that everyone should leave X and let that heil hole rot away as it deserves to
Small changes to ‘for you’ feed on X can rapidly increase political polarisation www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Small changes to ‘for you’ feed on X can rapidly increase political polarisation
Study finds that a week of political content can bring about a shift in views that previously would have taken three years
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:55 AM
A brief reminder that everyone should leave X and let that heil hole rot away as it deserves to
Reposted by Barbara Jane van der Meulen
Reposted by Barbara Jane van der Meulen
‘outwith’: preposition: outside; beyond. A term unique to Scotland.
Revising my visa essay,
applying for three more years
here, I read my own scribbled words:
Comparable opportunities for critical study
do not exist outwith Scotland…
—Katie Ailes, “Outwith”
Glasgow Women Poets, Four-em Press 2016
Revising my visa essay,
applying for three more years
here, I read my own scribbled words:
Comparable opportunities for critical study
do not exist outwith Scotland…
—Katie Ailes, “Outwith”
Glasgow Women Poets, Four-em Press 2016
November 4, 2025 at 12:42 PM
‘outwith’: preposition: outside; beyond. A term unique to Scotland.
Revising my visa essay,
applying for three more years
here, I read my own scribbled words:
Comparable opportunities for critical study
do not exist outwith Scotland…
—Katie Ailes, “Outwith”
Glasgow Women Poets, Four-em Press 2016
Revising my visa essay,
applying for three more years
here, I read my own scribbled words:
Comparable opportunities for critical study
do not exist outwith Scotland…
—Katie Ailes, “Outwith”
Glasgow Women Poets, Four-em Press 2016
Reposted by Barbara Jane van der Meulen
Straight out of the Trump playbook.
No proof other than a few anonymous claims, but deeply dangerous and irresponsible.
An unpleasant reminder that even out of government, he’s still here, and still capable of causing trouble
No proof other than a few anonymous claims, but deeply dangerous and irresponsible.
An unpleasant reminder that even out of government, he’s still here, and still capable of causing trouble
Dutch populist Wilders now spreads disinformation about widespread voting fraud in the Netherlands. He precludes it by saying he doesn't know if it is true, but then does spread the messages about voting fraud against him (he's the only member of his party). #dutchelections
October 31, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Straight out of the Trump playbook.
No proof other than a few anonymous claims, but deeply dangerous and irresponsible.
An unpleasant reminder that even out of government, he’s still here, and still capable of causing trouble
No proof other than a few anonymous claims, but deeply dangerous and irresponsible.
An unpleasant reminder that even out of government, he’s still here, and still capable of causing trouble
One for the Gaels of Bluesky. Am I right in thinking a gaelic version of my book would be A’ Seòladh Tuath? Semantics are important and I was wondering about the mood of the verb.
October 31, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Reposted by Barbara Jane van der Meulen
Exclusive: Survey by @sstatradeunion.bsky.social finds ‘alarming’ numbers of non-specialists taking subject classes, with secondary schools also heavily relying on primary teachers amid ‘deepening crisis’ of staff shortages www.tes.com/magazine/new...
SSTA finds ‘alarming’ numbers of non-specialists taking classes
‘Deepening crisis’ of staff shortages also sees primary teachers frequently taking on roles in secondary schools, reveals survey by Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association
www.tes.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Exclusive: Survey by @sstatradeunion.bsky.social finds ‘alarming’ numbers of non-specialists taking subject classes, with secondary schools also heavily relying on primary teachers amid ‘deepening crisis’ of staff shortages www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Barbara Jane van der Meulen
🗣️ The Netherlands looks set for a swing back to the centre ground after an election that has seen the liberals making the biggest gains.
But the far-right, though down, are by no means out.
📩 Read the full newsletter from @georgvh.com here:
channel4news.substack.com/p/dutch-elec...
But the far-right, though down, are by no means out.
📩 Read the full newsletter from @georgvh.com here:
channel4news.substack.com/p/dutch-elec...
Dutch election: How liberals could now usurp far-right in Netherlands
The Netherlands looks set for a new era of modern Dutch politics, as the final votes are counted following a combative election campaign.
channel4news.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:06 PM
🗣️ The Netherlands looks set for a swing back to the centre ground after an election that has seen the liberals making the biggest gains.
But the far-right, though down, are by no means out.
📩 Read the full newsletter from @georgvh.com here:
channel4news.substack.com/p/dutch-elec...
But the far-right, though down, are by no means out.
📩 Read the full newsletter from @georgvh.com here:
channel4news.substack.com/p/dutch-elec...
Reposted by Barbara Jane van der Meulen
Inside Scotland’s march against poverty
Thousands of protesters from Scottish churches, charities and trade unions will take to the streets next week demanding a fair deal for the poor. It’s the first demo of its kind
I talk to the man behind the rally in my @heraldscotland.bsky.social long read
Thousands of protesters from Scottish churches, charities and trade unions will take to the streets next week demanding a fair deal for the poor. It’s the first demo of its kind
I talk to the man behind the rally in my @heraldscotland.bsky.social long read
Scots churches, charities and unions unite in plea to SNP over 'intolerable' poverty
The Poverty Alliance is organising a major demonstration demanding the SNP acts to protect the country’s poor. Our Writer at Large talks to the…
www.heraldscotland.com
October 19, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Inside Scotland’s march against poverty
Thousands of protesters from Scottish churches, charities and trade unions will take to the streets next week demanding a fair deal for the poor. It’s the first demo of its kind
I talk to the man behind the rally in my @heraldscotland.bsky.social long read
Thousands of protesters from Scottish churches, charities and trade unions will take to the streets next week demanding a fair deal for the poor. It’s the first demo of its kind
I talk to the man behind the rally in my @heraldscotland.bsky.social long read
Reposted by Barbara Jane van der Meulen
The Poems of Seamus Heaney review – collected works reveal his colossal achievement
The Poems of Seamus Heaney review – collected works reveal his colossal achievement
The complete works, including previously unpublished poems and expert notes, are brought together in one volume for the first time
www.theguardian.com
October 9, 2025 at 8:56 AM
The Poems of Seamus Heaney review – collected works reveal his colossal achievement
Reposted by Barbara Jane van der Meulen
You are dead to us Jimmy Perez, you traitor. And sassermaet rules!
Happy publication day to regular Orkney Library visitor
@anncleeves.bsky.social. The Killing Stones has just been published and features D.I. Jimmy Perez but now he has moved from Shetland to #Orkney!
It's less sassermaet and more fatty cuttie. #IYKYK
Available now from your local library.
@anncleeves.bsky.social. The Killing Stones has just been published and features D.I. Jimmy Perez but now he has moved from Shetland to #Orkney!
It's less sassermaet and more fatty cuttie. #IYKYK
Available now from your local library.
October 8, 2025 at 12:34 PM
You are dead to us Jimmy Perez, you traitor. And sassermaet rules!
Reposted by Barbara Jane van der Meulen
"[A person] is influenced so much by where they grew up, the landscape, the accents, the sounds surrounding them"
I SWEAR, is a funny, tender drama about Tourette syndrome – star Robert Aramayo discusses his approach in SCOTLAND ON SCREEN
I SWEAR, is a funny, tender drama about Tourette syndrome – star Robert Aramayo discusses his approach in SCOTLAND ON SCREEN
Scotland on Screen: Robert Aramayo on I Swear – The Skinny
The Rings of Power star Robert Aramayo swaps Elvish for expletives in I Swear, a funny and tender real-life drama based on the life of John Davidson, a man from Galashiels with Tourette syndrome.
www.theskinny.co.uk
October 7, 2025 at 12:00 PM
"[A person] is influenced so much by where they grew up, the landscape, the accents, the sounds surrounding them"
I SWEAR, is a funny, tender drama about Tourette syndrome – star Robert Aramayo discusses his approach in SCOTLAND ON SCREEN
I SWEAR, is a funny, tender drama about Tourette syndrome – star Robert Aramayo discusses his approach in SCOTLAND ON SCREEN
Reposted by Barbara Jane van der Meulen
Over 60 people came to Aberlour Parish Church of Scotland for the unveiling of textile banners addressing the legacies of slavery in the local area. The event is part of our Dr Jim MacPherson's research project, Legacies of Slavery in Scotland, bit.ly/46Dpf3Q
October 7, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Over 60 people came to Aberlour Parish Church of Scotland for the unveiling of textile banners addressing the legacies of slavery in the local area. The event is part of our Dr Jim MacPherson's research project, Legacies of Slavery in Scotland, bit.ly/46Dpf3Q
Reposted by Barbara Jane van der Meulen
“The law says he can’t do it so it’s not clear whether he can” is such a 2025 headline
It is not clear that Mr. Trump’s image can be featured on a coin. An 1866 law enshrined a tradition that only deceased people could appear on U.S. currency to avoid the appearance that America was a monarchy. Trump admin is planning to do it anyway.
By Alan Rappeport
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/b...
By Alan Rappeport
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/b...
Treasury Plans to Mint $1 Commemorative Trump Coin
www.nytimes.com
October 4, 2025 at 2:57 AM
“The law says he can’t do it so it’s not clear whether he can” is such a 2025 headline
Reposted by Barbara Jane van der Meulen
This article manages to name her husband before it names… her.
October 3, 2025 at 11:15 AM
This article manages to name her husband before it names… her.
Reposted by Barbara Jane van der Meulen
Reposted by Barbara Jane van der Meulen
Just fuck off with this. How about start the conversation by highlighting how much immigrants contribute to the UK - not least by propping up the NHS and social care system!
Also - forced volunteering is not volunteering, it's unpaid labour.
Also - forced volunteering is not volunteering, it's unpaid labour.
September 29, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Just fuck off with this. How about start the conversation by highlighting how much immigrants contribute to the UK - not least by propping up the NHS and social care system!
Also - forced volunteering is not volunteering, it's unpaid labour.
Also - forced volunteering is not volunteering, it's unpaid labour.
Reposted by Barbara Jane van der Meulen
Good.
BREAKING: The Scottish Government has confirmed it opposes Labour's plans to introduce compulsory Digital ID
September 25, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Good.
Reposted by Barbara Jane van der Meulen
There were no education events at Reform conference. Their only policies appear to be giving private schools their tax breaks back and changing the history curriculum to trumpet the benefits of empire.
September 7, 2025 at 11:19 AM
There were no education events at Reform conference. Their only policies appear to be giving private schools their tax breaks back and changing the history curriculum to trumpet the benefits of empire.
Symposium on 29/09 featuring Finnish and Scottish STEM scholars to consider how the Finnish approach to STEM compares with Scotland’s, and what both countries might learn from one another. Open to the public.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/illumanati...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/illumanati...
Il(LUMA)nating the Finnish perspective on STEM education
Discover the Finnish approach to STEM education
www.eventbrite.co.uk
September 5, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Symposium on 29/09 featuring Finnish and Scottish STEM scholars to consider how the Finnish approach to STEM compares with Scotland’s, and what both countries might learn from one another. Open to the public.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/illumanati...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/illumanati...
Reposted by Barbara Jane van der Meulen
Can’t get enough of this. @raskin.house.gov rubbing Nigel Farage’s nose in his self-confessed love of Putin as he’s forced to sit & watch is delicious beyond words
Nigel Farage looks uncomfortable as Jamie Raskin uses his opening statement to absolutely demolish him
September 3, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Can’t get enough of this. @raskin.house.gov rubbing Nigel Farage’s nose in his self-confessed love of Putin as he’s forced to sit & watch is delicious beyond words