James Durran
@jdurran.bsky.social
Teacher of English, media & drama for 24 years; now an adviser. Literacy, English & all things teaching. Views are personal. jamesdurran.blog x.com/jdurran
Reposted by James Durran
Pragmatically, the Ofsted grading criteria are going to be a very useful tool for self-evaluation. But schools need to remember, when reflecting on curriculum or on children's experiences, that schools are about a lot more. For example, the following words don't appear:
1/2
1/2
September 19, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Pragmatically, the Ofsted grading criteria are going to be a very useful tool for self-evaluation. But schools need to remember, when reflecting on curriculum or on children's experiences, that schools are about a lot more. For example, the following words don't appear:
1/2
1/2
Pragmatically, the Ofsted grading criteria are going to be a very useful tool for self-evaluation. But schools need to remember, when reflecting on curriculum or on children's experiences, that schools are about a lot more. For example, the following words don't appear:
1/2
1/2
September 19, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Pragmatically, the Ofsted grading criteria are going to be a very useful tool for self-evaluation. But schools need to remember, when reflecting on curriculum or on children's experiences, that schools are about a lot more. For example, the following words don't appear:
1/2
1/2
When term starts, expect headlines about "woke" schools refusing to allow "patriotic" pupils to display / wear / carry flags.
1. The Flags have arrived in my area.
They make me uneasy. It isn't I have a problem with them when we're celebrating something. Football. Olympics. Even a royal wedding. But right now they don't *feel* like a positive affirmation of stuff we like but more a protest against things people don't..
They make me uneasy. It isn't I have a problem with them when we're celebrating something. Football. Olympics. Even a royal wedding. But right now they don't *feel* like a positive affirmation of stuff we like but more a protest against things people don't..
August 26, 2025 at 7:35 AM
When term starts, expect headlines about "woke" schools refusing to allow "patriotic" pupils to display / wear / carry flags.
Honoured to write this.
James Durran reflects on his friendship with the late Jim Stewart, who has died, aged 67, after a rapid progression of Parkinson’s. Jim was a devoted English teacher and a loyal friend of NATE.
www.nate.org.uk/2025/07/29/j...
www.nate.org.uk/2025/07/29/j...
Jim Stewart: a personal recollection - National Association for the Teaching of English
James Durran reflects on his friendship with the late Jim Stewart My close friend Jim Stewart, who has died, aged 67, after a rapid progression of Parkinson’s, was a devoted...
www.nate.org.uk
July 29, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Honoured to write this.
Reposted by James Durran
James Durran reflects on his friendship with the late Jim Stewart, who has died, aged 67, after a rapid progression of Parkinson’s. Jim was a devoted English teacher and a loyal friend of NATE.
www.nate.org.uk/2025/07/29/j...
www.nate.org.uk/2025/07/29/j...
Jim Stewart: a personal recollection - National Association for the Teaching of English
James Durran reflects on his friendship with the late Jim Stewart My close friend Jim Stewart, who has died, aged 67, after a rapid progression of Parkinson’s, was a devoted...
www.nate.org.uk
July 29, 2025 at 9:39 AM
James Durran reflects on his friendship with the late Jim Stewart, who has died, aged 67, after a rapid progression of Parkinson’s. Jim was a devoted English teacher and a loyal friend of NATE.
www.nate.org.uk/2025/07/29/j...
www.nate.org.uk/2025/07/29/j...
My close friend Jim Stewart has died, aged 67, after a rapid progression of Parkinson's. We taught English, organised @NATEfeed conferences & wrote books together. He taught me much about teaching, Shakespeare, music & the hills, and even more about laughter. He's deeply missed.
July 19, 2025 at 9:56 AM
My close friend Jim Stewart has died, aged 67, after a rapid progression of Parkinson's. We taught English, organised @NATEfeed conferences & wrote books together. He taught me much about teaching, Shakespeare, music & the hills, and even more about laughter. He's deeply missed.
Reposted by James Durran
I really like this blog which explores how older students can be supported to actively engage with text - really practical ways of thinking through a text- thanks @jdurran.bsky.social
jamesdurran.blog/2025/07/08/d...
jamesdurran.blog/2025/07/08/d...
Disciplinary literacy: ‘active’ reading in the classroom
Some ways to make sure that students are thinking hard when they read challenging texts in the classroom In a recent post, I explored ways in which a teacher (in this case of geography) might succe…
jamesdurran.blog
July 17, 2025 at 9:49 AM
I really like this blog which explores how older students can be supported to actively engage with text - really practical ways of thinking through a text- thanks @jdurran.bsky.social
jamesdurran.blog/2025/07/08/d...
jamesdurran.blog/2025/07/08/d...
Reposted by James Durran
NEW BLOG More on #Disciplinary_literacy and #challenging_texts: making sure pupils are focused and thinking hard when #reading in the classroom. Examples from #PE, #science, #art, #music, #DT... jamesdurran.blog/2025/07/08/d...
Disciplinary literacy: ‘active’ reading in the classroom
Some ways to make sure that students are thinking hard when they read challenging texts in the classroom In a recent post, I explored ways in which a teacher (in this case of geography) might succe…
jamesdurran.blog
July 13, 2025 at 8:29 AM
NEW BLOG More on #Disciplinary_literacy and #challenging_texts: making sure pupils are focused and thinking hard when #reading in the classroom. Examples from #PE, #science, #art, #music, #DT... jamesdurran.blog/2025/07/08/d...
Reposted by James Durran
Fab suggestions here for making valuable content accessible so children can engage 🌟 My caveat with this would be that many students with or w/out identified SEND will need to pace their ‘hard’ learning - eg due to fatigue risk. Autistic children & ADHDers often burn out as teens, sadly. Some may
July 13, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Fab suggestions here for making valuable content accessible so children can engage 🌟 My caveat with this would be that many students with or w/out identified SEND will need to pace their ‘hard’ learning - eg due to fatigue risk. Autistic children & ADHDers often burn out as teens, sadly. Some may
NEW BLOG More on #Disciplinary_literacy and #challenging_texts: making sure pupils are focused and thinking hard when #reading in the classroom. Examples from #PE, #science, #art, #music, #DT... jamesdurran.blog/2025/07/08/d...
Disciplinary literacy: ‘active’ reading in the classroom
Some ways to make sure that students are thinking hard when they read challenging texts in the classroom In a recent post, I explored ways in which a teacher (in this case of geography) might succe…
jamesdurran.blog
July 13, 2025 at 8:29 AM
NEW BLOG More on #Disciplinary_literacy and #challenging_texts: making sure pupils are focused and thinking hard when #reading in the classroom. Examples from #PE, #science, #art, #music, #DT... jamesdurran.blog/2025/07/08/d...
Reposted by James Durran
NEW - Giving Serious Attention to Student Voice in the everyday moments of classroom life. What happens when we treat children’s ideas as real and valuable?
Read the post: www.mantleoftheexpert.com/blog-post/ha...
Read the post: www.mantleoftheexpert.com/blog-post/ha...
July 12, 2025 at 11:59 AM
NEW - Giving Serious Attention to Student Voice in the everyday moments of classroom life. What happens when we treat children’s ideas as real and valuable?
Read the post: www.mantleoftheexpert.com/blog-post/ha...
Read the post: www.mantleoftheexpert.com/blog-post/ha...
Reposted by James Durran
NEW POST #Disciplinary_literacy: more on challenging texts in the classroom; ensuring that pupils are reading 'actively' and thinking hard. All part of good #adaptive_teaching!
jamesdurran.blog/2025/07/08/d...
jamesdurran.blog/2025/07/08/d...
Disciplinary literacy: ‘active’ reading in the classroom
Some ways to make sure that students are thinking hard when they read challenging texts in the classroom In a recent post, I explored ways in which a teacher (in this case of geography) might succe…
jamesdurran.blog
July 10, 2025 at 7:36 PM
NEW POST #Disciplinary_literacy: more on challenging texts in the classroom; ensuring that pupils are reading 'actively' and thinking hard. All part of good #adaptive_teaching!
jamesdurran.blog/2025/07/08/d...
jamesdurran.blog/2025/07/08/d...
Reposted by James Durran
I wish I'd read this 50 years ago!
July 11, 2025 at 5:36 AM
I wish I'd read this 50 years ago!
NEW POST #Disciplinary_literacy: more on challenging texts in the classroom; ensuring that pupils are reading 'actively' and thinking hard. All part of good #adaptive_teaching!
jamesdurran.blog/2025/07/08/d...
jamesdurran.blog/2025/07/08/d...
Disciplinary literacy: ‘active’ reading in the classroom
Some ways to make sure that students are thinking hard when they read challenging texts in the classroom In a recent post, I explored ways in which a teacher (in this case of geography) might succe…
jamesdurran.blog
July 10, 2025 at 7:36 PM
NEW POST #Disciplinary_literacy: more on challenging texts in the classroom; ensuring that pupils are reading 'actively' and thinking hard. All part of good #adaptive_teaching!
jamesdurran.blog/2025/07/08/d...
jamesdurran.blog/2025/07/08/d...
Quite a lot to think about before we outsource essay marking to AI!
Possibly the best thing I've read about ChatGPT yet.
h/t @melaniemitchell.bsky.social
amandaguinzburg.substack.com/p/diabolus-e...
h/t @melaniemitchell.bsky.social
amandaguinzburg.substack.com/p/diabolus-e...
Diabolus Ex Machina
This Is Not An Essay
amandaguinzburg.substack.com
June 4, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Quite a lot to think about before we outsource essay marking to AI!
Reposted by James Durran
Currently running a webinar with @jdurran.bsky.social about using short film clips to teach Shakespeare in English. It's absolutely brilliant. All Shakespeare teaching should use films like this!
May 13, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Currently running a webinar with @jdurran.bsky.social about using short film clips to teach Shakespeare in English. It's absolutely brilliant. All Shakespeare teaching should use films like this!
Reposted by James Durran
EMC SUMMER WEBINAR PACKAGE
PURCHASE WINDOW CLOSES MAY 1ST
Take a look at the range of webinars that your whole team can access with a single purchase for your institution! @jdurran.bsky.social @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social @barbarableiman.bsky.social
englishandmedia.co.uk/workshops/20...
PURCHASE WINDOW CLOSES MAY 1ST
Take a look at the range of webinars that your whole team can access with a single purchase for your institution! @jdurran.bsky.social @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social @barbarableiman.bsky.social
englishandmedia.co.uk/workshops/20...
April 25, 2025 at 3:31 PM
EMC SUMMER WEBINAR PACKAGE
PURCHASE WINDOW CLOSES MAY 1ST
Take a look at the range of webinars that your whole team can access with a single purchase for your institution! @jdurran.bsky.social @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social @barbarableiman.bsky.social
englishandmedia.co.uk/workshops/20...
PURCHASE WINDOW CLOSES MAY 1ST
Take a look at the range of webinars that your whole team can access with a single purchase for your institution! @jdurran.bsky.social @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social @barbarableiman.bsky.social
englishandmedia.co.uk/workshops/20...
Reposted by James Durran
There's some debate about my piece on X & a blog by David Didau agreeing with much of what I say but warning against a return to 'some mythical version of the past'. I've written a response to this idea of a 'myth' of a different kind of English on my own blog: www.barbarableiman.com/post/a-respo...
April 21, 2025 at 9:23 AM
There's some debate about my piece on X & a blog by David Didau agreeing with much of what I say but warning against a return to 'some mythical version of the past'. I've written a response to this idea of a 'myth' of a different kind of English on my own blog: www.barbarableiman.com/post/a-respo...
Which of these is likely to result in better learning? 🤔 #book_scrutiny #feedback #editing #adaptive_teaching
March 22, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Which of these is likely to result in better learning? 🤔 #book_scrutiny #feedback #editing #adaptive_teaching
If we have scientific evidence about 10% of what teaching involves, that doesn't mean we should stop doing the other 90% because it's not "evidence based."
March 8, 2025 at 11:07 AM
If we have scientific evidence about 10% of what teaching involves, that doesn't mean we should stop doing the other 90% because it's not "evidence based."
Reposted by James Durran
I absolutely understand the thinking here... But oh goodness it makes me sad.
At Reach Academy Hanworth Park we use lunchtimes to increase engagement with reading. Short thread on how we do this below. 🧵📖 #EduSky
March 8, 2025 at 10:55 AM
I absolutely understand the thinking here... But oh goodness it makes me sad.
Ofsted's inspection 'toolkits', which propose a fine-grained description of what matters in schools, contain over 10,000 words. But these don't appear anywhere. 🤔
enjoy/enjoyment
interest/interesting
excite/excitement
curious/curiosity
enjoy/enjoyment
interest/interesting
excite/excitement
curious/curiosity
March 3, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Ofsted's inspection 'toolkits', which propose a fine-grained description of what matters in schools, contain over 10,000 words. But these don't appear anywhere. 🤔
enjoy/enjoyment
interest/interesting
excite/excitement
curious/curiosity
enjoy/enjoyment
interest/interesting
excite/excitement
curious/curiosity
On #adaptive_teaching. If we think of teaching (in the moment & over time) as conversation, then it will be naturally adaptive. Conversation is built on feedback loops: we adapt what we say next according to what others have learned from us, & to what we've learned from them.
February 25, 2025 at 12:58 PM
On #adaptive_teaching. If we think of teaching (in the moment & over time) as conversation, then it will be naturally adaptive. Conversation is built on feedback loops: we adapt what we say next according to what others have learned from us, & to what we've learned from them.
Reposted by James Durran
Looking forward very much to delivering this course on mixed attainment #English teaching, with
@andrewemc.bsky.social, in Leeds.
www.englishandmedia.co.uk/courses/439e...
@andrewemc.bsky.social, in Leeds.
www.englishandmedia.co.uk/courses/439e...
EMC CPD Face-to-Face: Teaching Mixed Attainment English – Leeds (18.3.2025 Spring 2025)
<p>How to make mixed attainment teaching work specifically for English. <em>NB: This course takes place in Leeds.</em></p>
www.englishandmedia.co.uk
February 13, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Looking forward very much to delivering this course on mixed attainment #English teaching, with
@andrewemc.bsky.social, in Leeds.
www.englishandmedia.co.uk/courses/439e...
@andrewemc.bsky.social, in Leeds.
www.englishandmedia.co.uk/courses/439e...