James McEnaney
@jamesmcenaney.bsky.social
Journalist and writer
Former English teacher & lecturer | Author of 'Class Rules: the Truth about Scottish Schools' & 'A Scottish Journey' | Fond of FOI, motorbikes, La Gomera, and all things education
www.jamesmcenaney.co.uk
Former English teacher & lecturer | Author of 'Class Rules: the Truth about Scottish Schools' & 'A Scottish Journey' | Fond of FOI, motorbikes, La Gomera, and all things education
www.jamesmcenaney.co.uk
Pinned
James McEnaney
@jamesmcenaney.bsky.social
· Sep 15
People like Charlie Kirk made women and girls less safe in schools
The murder of the far-right commentator has created a martyr for people seeking to radicalise boys and young men.
www.heraldscotland.com
I've seen far too many people either praising or at least sanitising Charlie Kirk following his murder, so I've written something about his actual impact for @heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/2546...
www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/2546...
To be fair to Starmer, that's the most on-brand Starmer response imaginable, so at least he is consistent.
Keir Starmer's spokesman tells me that X and Grok's creation of sexual deepfakes of children is "completely unacceptable" but again won't commit to taking direct action against them, or to stop posting there.
Says "all options are on the table" but suggests it's a matter for Ofcom, not Government
Says "all options are on the table" but suggests it's a matter for Ofcom, not Government
January 7, 2026 at 1:37 PM
To be fair to Starmer, that's the most on-brand Starmer response imaginable, so at least he is consistent.
Reposted by James McEnaney
It's completely unacceptable in every sense, except the very literal one, in which we are going to accept it.
Keir Starmer's spokesman tells me that X and Grok's creation of sexual deepfakes of children is "completely unacceptable" but again won't commit to taking direct action against them, or to stop posting there.
Says "all options are on the table" but suggests it's a matter for Ofcom, not Government
Says "all options are on the table" but suggests it's a matter for Ofcom, not Government
January 7, 2026 at 1:21 PM
It's completely unacceptable in every sense, except the very literal one, in which we are going to accept it.
Reposted by James McEnaney
Despite all the noise about “mass exodus”, 51% of African emigrants move within Africa. Only 3% of the African population lives outside their home country, compared to 8.5% of Europeans living outside theirs.
publications.iom.int/system/files...
publications.iom.int/system/files...
December 20, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Despite all the noise about “mass exodus”, 51% of African emigrants move within Africa. Only 3% of the African population lives outside their home country, compared to 8.5% of Europeans living outside theirs.
publications.iom.int/system/files...
publications.iom.int/system/files...
Reposted by James McEnaney
EXCLUSIVE
She says the decision is necessary in order to continue serving her constituents 'openly and honestly' and in line with her conscience
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
@jamesmcenaney.bsky.social
She says the decision is necessary in order to continue serving her constituents 'openly and honestly' and in line with her conscience
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
@jamesmcenaney.bsky.social
December 16, 2025 at 1:03 PM
EXCLUSIVE
She says the decision is necessary in order to continue serving her constituents 'openly and honestly' and in line with her conscience
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
@jamesmcenaney.bsky.social
She says the decision is necessary in order to continue serving her constituents 'openly and honestly' and in line with her conscience
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
@jamesmcenaney.bsky.social
Reposted by James McEnaney
Whether it's an obscure adjunct professor posting that Charlie Kirk did some bad things or it's the president of the United States celebrating Rob Reiner's death, there's plenty of incivility on both sides.
December 15, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Whether it's an obscure adjunct professor posting that Charlie Kirk did some bad things or it's the president of the United States celebrating Rob Reiner's death, there's plenty of incivility on both sides.
Reposted by James McEnaney
WTF are we doing here, BBC?
December 15, 2025 at 12:35 PM
WTF are we doing here, BBC?
BREAKING
Teachers at a school near Glasgow are being balloted for strike action over major health and safety concerns described as posing a "substantial risk to life".
@heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569914...
Teachers at a school near Glasgow are being balloted for strike action over major health and safety concerns described as posing a "substantial risk to life".
@heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569914...
Teachers could strike over 'risk to life' safety concerns
A range of major safety concerns have been raised at Lenzie Academy following a recent Fire Risk Assessment.
www.heraldscotland.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:11 PM
BREAKING
Teachers at a school near Glasgow are being balloted for strike action over major health and safety concerns described as posing a "substantial risk to life".
@heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569914...
Teachers at a school near Glasgow are being balloted for strike action over major health and safety concerns described as posing a "substantial risk to life".
@heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2569914...
Reposted by James McEnaney
@neilmackay.bsky.social
@danigaravelli.bsky.social
@jamesmcenaney.bsky.social
All excellent and wide ranging articles today in the Sunday Herald. Highly recommended.
@danigaravelli.bsky.social
@jamesmcenaney.bsky.social
All excellent and wide ranging articles today in the Sunday Herald. Highly recommended.
December 14, 2025 at 12:35 PM
@neilmackay.bsky.social
@danigaravelli.bsky.social
@jamesmcenaney.bsky.social
All excellent and wide ranging articles today in the Sunday Herald. Highly recommended.
@danigaravelli.bsky.social
@jamesmcenaney.bsky.social
All excellent and wide ranging articles today in the Sunday Herald. Highly recommended.
Reposted by James McEnaney
Great thread on not just the immorality and hatefulness of institutions/artists bending the knee to fascism, but the mindboggling short-sightedness of it. We should stand up to fascism, but we should also remember who, when subservience was suddenly demanded, immediately said "yeah alright".
It may not feel like it now as marginalised people and their allies are edged out of institutions in the arts - but those institutions are unreliable, antiquated and at this point, bending the knee to fascism. It’s absolutely the best thing artistically and financially to be free of that.
December 13, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Great thread on not just the immorality and hatefulness of institutions/artists bending the knee to fascism, but the mindboggling short-sightedness of it. We should stand up to fascism, but we should also remember who, when subservience was suddenly demanded, immediately said "yeah alright".
So I really am sorry to have to point this out, because I object to the whole premise of the question, but it isn't an error and doesn't need to be corrected.
Official Scottish Government data shows 28% of pupils in Glasgow are not "fluent" in English.
@scotnational.bsky.social
Official Scottish Government data shows 28% of pupils in Glasgow are not "fluent" in English.
@scotnational.bsky.social
December 12, 2025 at 8:14 PM
So I really am sorry to have to point this out, because I object to the whole premise of the question, but it isn't an error and doesn't need to be corrected.
Official Scottish Government data shows 28% of pupils in Glasgow are not "fluent" in English.
@scotnational.bsky.social
Official Scottish Government data shows 28% of pupils in Glasgow are not "fluent" in English.
@scotnational.bsky.social
Maybe because being largely useless seems to be the only thing he has worked hard at since becoming PM?
How can this inoffensive man have become so viscerally loathed?
Keir Starmer must make No 10 a content factory
🖊️ Lewis Goodall
Keir Starmer must make No 10 a content factory
🖊️ Lewis Goodall
Keir Starmer must make No 10 a content factory
The Prime Minister can only re-establish authority if he learns to command the message
www.newstatesman.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Maybe because being largely useless seems to be the only thing he has worked hard at since becoming PM?
"One of the specific social media claims made by the party is tip-toeing right up to the line of being a blatant and completely unacceptable lie."
www.heraldscotland.com/politics/vie...
www.heraldscotland.com/politics/vie...
The SNP cannot spin and pull wool over the eyes of these education statistics
Somehow even I was surprised by the levels of shamelessness on display following the publication of the latest education statistics this week,…
www.heraldscotland.com
December 12, 2025 at 11:37 AM
"One of the specific social media claims made by the party is tip-toeing right up to the line of being a blatant and completely unacceptable lie."
www.heraldscotland.com/politics/vie...
www.heraldscotland.com/politics/vie...
The SNP has been talking about progress in closing the attainment gap ... but how much have things really changed?
I've had a look for @heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568749...
I've had a look for @heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568749...
Is Scotland really 'closing the attainment gap'?
The Scottish Government pledged to eliminate the gap between the least and most deprived pupils. How much progress has actually been made?
www.heraldscotland.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:04 PM
The SNP has been talking about progress in closing the attainment gap ... but how much have things really changed?
I've had a look for @heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568749...
I've had a look for @heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568749...
Reposted by James McEnaney
Very worrying, when additional support needs is rising to almost 44%,at a time when multiple challenges exist in society,losing so many teachers is disastrous.More teachers needs to be an urgent priority.
Thanks @jamesmcenaney.bsky.social for this analysis.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568306...
Thanks @jamesmcenaney.bsky.social for this analysis.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568306...
December 9, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Very worrying, when additional support needs is rising to almost 44%,at a time when multiple challenges exist in society,losing so many teachers is disastrous.More teachers needs to be an urgent priority.
Thanks @jamesmcenaney.bsky.social for this analysis.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568306...
Thanks @jamesmcenaney.bsky.social for this analysis.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568306...
Reposted by James McEnaney
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has bowed to pressure and rearranged some exams following accusations that some pupils were being treated unfairly
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
@jamesmcenaney.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
@jamesmcenaney.bsky.social
December 9, 2025 at 4:26 PM
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has bowed to pressure and rearranged some exams following accusations that some pupils were being treated unfairly
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
@jamesmcenaney.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
@jamesmcenaney.bsky.social
Yes these also show that the SNP has failed to achieve various education pledges. Thanks for sharing.
December 9, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Yes these also show that the SNP has failed to achieve various education pledges. Thanks for sharing.
The government has published a flurry of education data today. If you know where to look, you can find clear evidence of broken SNP promises.
The SNP has made a number of specific, measurable commitments around teacher numbers. Official data now shows that it has failed to meet any of them.
Education Writer and former teacher @jamesmcenaney.bsky.social analyses the figures 👇
Education Writer and former teacher @jamesmcenaney.bsky.social analyses the figures 👇
December 9, 2025 at 12:56 PM
The government has published a flurry of education data today. If you know where to look, you can find clear evidence of broken SNP promises.
The SNP has failed to deliver on its promises around teacher numbers in Scotland's schools.
Official data shows that three key commitments have not been delivered.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568306...
Official data shows that three key commitments have not been delivered.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568306...
Data shows SNP fails to deliver on teacher numbers promises
Official figures show that teacher numbers remain well below the levels pledged by the Scottish Government in recent years.
www.heraldscotland.com
December 9, 2025 at 10:33 AM
The SNP has failed to deliver on its promises around teacher numbers in Scotland's schools.
Official data shows that three key commitments have not been delivered.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568306...
Official data shows that three key commitments have not been delivered.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2568306...
Reposted by James McEnaney
BREAKING
Official figures show that teacher numbers remain well below the levels pledged by the Scottish Government in recent years
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
@jamesmcenaney.bsky.social
Official figures show that teacher numbers remain well below the levels pledged by the Scottish Government in recent years
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
@jamesmcenaney.bsky.social
December 9, 2025 at 10:11 AM
BREAKING
Official figures show that teacher numbers remain well below the levels pledged by the Scottish Government in recent years
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
@jamesmcenaney.bsky.social
Official figures show that teacher numbers remain well below the levels pledged by the Scottish Government in recent years
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
@jamesmcenaney.bsky.social
Reposted by James McEnaney
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
If you didn't believe that the interest in the Sandie Peggie case was driven by bigotry just look at the unhinged response to her losing the vast majority of her case.
December 9, 2025 at 8:24 AM
If you didn't believe that the interest in the Sandie Peggie case was driven by bigotry just look at the unhinged response to her losing the vast majority of her case.
The media treatment of Dr Upton was horrendous. It was always glaringly obvious that she had done nothing wrong and let's be honest: a cis doctor would never have been treated the same way.
Also worth noting, the Tribunal found that Sandie Peggie had harassed Dr Beth Upton in a "hate incident".
December 8, 2025 at 7:15 PM
The media treatment of Dr Upton was horrendous. It was always glaringly obvious that she had done nothing wrong and let's be honest: a cis doctor would never have been treated the same way.
Reposted by James McEnaney
My thread earlier focused on the discussion re. FWS - but I just want to draw this out really explicitly:
The press absolutely monstered Dr Beth Upton in the most appalling way – only for the Tribunal to find that Beth had done nothing wrong, but that Sandie Peggie had harassed her.
The press absolutely monstered Dr Beth Upton in the most appalling way – only for the Tribunal to find that Beth had done nothing wrong, but that Sandie Peggie had harassed her.
Also worth noting, the Tribunal found that Sandie Peggie had harassed Dr Beth Upton in a "hate incident".
December 8, 2025 at 7:02 PM
My thread earlier focused on the discussion re. FWS - but I just want to draw this out really explicitly:
The press absolutely monstered Dr Beth Upton in the most appalling way – only for the Tribunal to find that Beth had done nothing wrong, but that Sandie Peggie had harassed her.
The press absolutely monstered Dr Beth Upton in the most appalling way – only for the Tribunal to find that Beth had done nothing wrong, but that Sandie Peggie had harassed her.
Reposted by James McEnaney
I have no idea how you reach this headline from the press summary of the judgement unless it's the closest headline to the one you pre-wrote.
Bulk of claims dismissed, rulings in favour of Upton's right to have been using the female changing rooms, findings that Peggie was misleading in evidence...
Bulk of claims dismissed, rulings in favour of Upton's right to have been using the female changing rooms, findings that Peggie was misleading in evidence...
December 8, 2025 at 3:52 PM
I have no idea how you reach this headline from the press summary of the judgement unless it's the closest headline to the one you pre-wrote.
Bulk of claims dismissed, rulings in favour of Upton's right to have been using the female changing rooms, findings that Peggie was misleading in evidence...
Bulk of claims dismissed, rulings in favour of Upton's right to have been using the female changing rooms, findings that Peggie was misleading in evidence...
Reposted by James McEnaney
[789] "The question [...] is whether the application of [FWS] must mean that [...] a [trans woman is] required to be excluded from the female changing room, such that the permission given by [her employer] to do so was necessarily unlawful [...] We have concluded that the answer is in the negative."
December 8, 2025 at 3:21 PM
[789] "The question [...] is whether the application of [FWS] must mean that [...] a [trans woman is] required to be excluded from the female changing room, such that the permission given by [her employer] to do so was necessarily unlawful [...] We have concluded that the answer is in the negative."