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
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Teaching is about conveying knowledge. That's simple. But it is also about bringing pupils into a particular relationship with that knowledge. That's not so simple.
If a teacher (or a department, or a MAT) discovers that by getting all pupils to write, polish and remember by heart a single piece of creative writing and then practise adjusting it to fit any given title, they can get great results in English GCSE, are they 'teaching well'?
February 19, 2026 at 4:49 PM
If a teacher (or a department, or a MAT) discovers that by getting all pupils to write, polish and remember by heart a single piece of creative writing and then practise adjusting it to fit any given title, they can get great results in English GCSE, are they 'teaching well'?
Reposted by James Durran
Whe I did GCSEs my media coursework was on the party political broadcasts of the BNP and the word ‘chav’ I learned loads about racism and class and it was closely aligned with A View FRom the Bridge- our modern text and Seamus Heaney’s poetry
February 19, 2026 at 1:55 PM
Whe I did GCSEs my media coursework was on the party political broadcasts of the BNP and the word ‘chav’ I learned loads about racism and class and it was closely aligned with A View FRom the Bridge- our modern text and Seamus Heaney’s poetry
NEW POST on teaching #writing and on planning for a 'dynamic' #writing_sequence. For #primary teachers (and secondary #English teachers too) reviewing how they teach writing, this graphic may (or may not!) be helpful.
jamesdurran.blog/2026/02/18/t...
jamesdurran.blog/2026/02/18/t...
The dynamic ‘writing sequence’
The publication of the DFE’s new Writing Framework has prompted many primary schools to review their practice – whether that means making some deep changes, or just making tweaks. In response to th…
jamesdurran.blog
February 19, 2026 at 9:13 AM
NEW POST on teaching #writing and on planning for a 'dynamic' #writing_sequence. For #primary teachers (and secondary #English teachers too) reviewing how they teach writing, this graphic may (or may not!) be helpful.
jamesdurran.blog/2026/02/18/t...
jamesdurran.blog/2026/02/18/t...
What an utter nightmare.
Former Conservative home secretary and recently-defected Reform UK MP Suella Braverman has been named as the party’s education and skills spokesperson
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/suella-braverman-named-reform-uks-education-spokesperson/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/suella-braverman-named-reform-uks-education-spokesperson/
Suella Braverman named Reform UK's education spokesperson
The former home secretary claimed teacher authority had been 'eroded by violence and disorder'
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 17, 2026 at 5:41 PM
What an utter nightmare.
Reposted by James Durran
"You can't argue with those outcomes!"
No, but I will definitely argue with the practice-distorting, discipline-eroding mode of assessment by which they're measured.
No, but I will definitely argue with the practice-distorting, discipline-eroding mode of assessment by which they're measured.
February 14, 2026 at 9:00 AM
"You can't argue with those outcomes!"
No, but I will definitely argue with the practice-distorting, discipline-eroding mode of assessment by which they're measured.
No, but I will definitely argue with the practice-distorting, discipline-eroding mode of assessment by which they're measured.
Reposted by James Durran
A great thread on learning and curriculum and SO, SO relevant to English too. Curriculum is about thinking and doing in the subject, growing through connections, and 'knowledge made, not given' (Harold Rosen).
The other day, @agittner.bsky.social prompted me to describe how I would teach a concept.
I found it almost impossible.
And, it had me wondering why, a full time biology teacher, head of biology, & someone who has written so much on biology education, couldn't do it easily.
Here's my answer 🧵
I found it almost impossible.
And, it had me wondering why, a full time biology teacher, head of biology, & someone who has written so much on biology education, couldn't do it easily.
Here's my answer 🧵
February 13, 2026 at 5:51 PM
A great thread on learning and curriculum and SO, SO relevant to English too. Curriculum is about thinking and doing in the subject, growing through connections, and 'knowledge made, not given' (Harold Rosen).
Great thread. 👍
🧵So, what works when teaching reading comprehension in the classroom? To a whole class?
I dedicated a entire chapter of my Phd thesis to exploring the literature on this.
In fact, we do not know a lot about what works when teachers teach, to whole classes.
1/8
I dedicated a entire chapter of my Phd thesis to exploring the literature on this.
In fact, we do not know a lot about what works when teachers teach, to whole classes.
1/8
February 12, 2026 at 7:24 PM
Great thread. 👍
Reposted by James Durran
We have published some @engmediacentre.bsky.social linked think pieces on the new curriculum here: www.englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/emc-thi...
EMC Thinking About Curriculum - Introduction
What's needed in the 2026 National Curriculum to reinvigorate secondary English
www.englishandmedia.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 11:34 AM
We have published some @engmediacentre.bsky.social linked think pieces on the new curriculum here: www.englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/emc-thi...
These are, of course, legitimate concerns for any teacher, regarding any development.
It feels ironic that those who, over the last decade, have pushed a single model of teaching and learning, often mandating it in all classrooms, are now worried that #oracy will be "imposed" on them, or will be "wrong for their subject".
February 7, 2026 at 8:10 AM
These are, of course, legitimate concerns for any teacher, regarding any development.
It feels ironic that those who, over the last decade, have pushed a single model of teaching and learning, often mandating it in all classrooms, are now worried that #oracy will be "imposed" on them, or will be "wrong for their subject".
February 7, 2026 at 8:02 AM
It feels ironic that those who, over the last decade, have pushed a single model of teaching and learning, often mandating it in all classrooms, are now worried that #oracy will be "imposed" on them, or will be "wrong for their subject".
So not really, then.
February 6, 2026 at 2:22 PM
So not really, then.
Reposted by James Durran
My view is it's causing substantial harm across the whole of society and, though it will always be easier to be inhuman from behind a keyboard than in person, fixing the bots and the algorithms is a much better long-term strategy than an age ban.
February 4, 2026 at 8:34 AM
My view is it's causing substantial harm across the whole of society and, though it will always be easier to be inhuman from behind a keyboard than in person, fixing the bots and the algorithms is a much better long-term strategy than an age ban.
"An age ban for social medis is just like an age ban for smoking," say lots of people who don't smoke but do use social media.
#A_bit_more_complicated
#A_bit_more_complicated
To many young users of social media, rhetorical comparisons with cigarettes are instantly ridiculous. They know that SM is about far, far more than addictive pleasure. Making the analogy therefore weakens the argument for age controls.
February 4, 2026 at 8:09 AM
"An age ban for social medis is just like an age ban for smoking," say lots of people who don't smoke but do use social media.
#A_bit_more_complicated
#A_bit_more_complicated
To many young users of social media, rhetorical comparisons with cigarettes are instantly ridiculous. They know that SM is about far, far more than addictive pleasure. Making the analogy therefore weakens the argument for age controls.
February 4, 2026 at 7:44 AM
To many young users of social media, rhetorical comparisons with cigarettes are instantly ridiculous. They know that SM is about far, far more than addictive pleasure. Making the analogy therefore weakens the argument for age controls.
Interesting thread. Coincidentally, I just came across this advice for trainees/NQTs on 'managing defiance', which I wrote about 25 years ago. I think a lot of it still holds up.
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/pcyeo...
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/pcyeo...
February 3, 2026 at 9:31 AM
Interesting thread. Coincidentally, I just came across this advice for trainees/NQTs on 'managing defiance', which I wrote about 25 years ago. I think a lot of it still holds up.
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/pcyeo...
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/pcyeo...
Reposted by James Durran
I completely agree with this blog- this is unethical and very poor teaching. It is also encouraged by the Writing Framework (DFE, 2025) and schemes that schools buy into.
It is just storing up trouble for children as they move through school.
bsky.app/profile/writ...
It is just storing up trouble for children as they move through school.
bsky.app/profile/writ...
The rise of ‘elaborate dictation’ and ‘writing-related simulations’ in English schools: Unethical writing teaching
writing4pleasure.com/2025/07/16/t...
writing4pleasure.com/2025/07/16/t...
The rise of ‘elaborate dictation’ and ‘writing-related simulations’ in English schools: Unethical writing teaching
In recent years, a growing concern has emerged among teachers, parents, and researchers in England: The increasing use of what could be called ‘elaborate dictation’ in classrooms. At first gl…
writing4pleasure.com
January 30, 2026 at 10:58 AM
I completely agree with this blog- this is unethical and very poor teaching. It is also encouraged by the Writing Framework (DFE, 2025) and schemes that schools buy into.
It is just storing up trouble for children as they move through school.
bsky.app/profile/writ...
It is just storing up trouble for children as they move through school.
bsky.app/profile/writ...
Reposted by James Durran
The rise of ‘elaborate dictation’ and ‘writing-related simulations’ in English schools: Unethical writing teaching
writing4pleasure.com/2025/07/16/t...
writing4pleasure.com/2025/07/16/t...
The rise of ‘elaborate dictation’ and ‘writing-related simulations’ in English schools: Unethical writing teaching
In recent years, a growing concern has emerged among teachers, parents, and researchers in England: The increasing use of what could be called ‘elaborate dictation’ in classrooms. At first gl…
writing4pleasure.com
January 30, 2026 at 10:14 AM
The rise of ‘elaborate dictation’ and ‘writing-related simulations’ in English schools: Unethical writing teaching
writing4pleasure.com/2025/07/16/t...
writing4pleasure.com/2025/07/16/t...
Reposted by James Durran
The early results from the one question we ask Primary School teachers here are absolutely fascinating. Comparing KS2 and KS3 teachers' responses is going to be such a BRILLIANT addition to our report! Please share the link below with Primary colleagues!
Are you a KS2 teacher? We're adding an extra dimension to our survey of poetry at KS3 by asking some KS2 teachers to respond to one question. Please could you take 2 mins to click this link & answer the question? Huge thanks! www.surveymonkey.com/r/MapKS2Coll...
Mapping Poetry: A Question for Primary Colleagues
Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.
www.surveymonkey.com
January 29, 2026 at 7:02 PM
The early results from the one question we ask Primary School teachers here are absolutely fascinating. Comparing KS2 and KS3 teachers' responses is going to be such a BRILLIANT addition to our report! Please share the link below with Primary colleagues!
Reposted by James Durran
Thank you to all those primary teachers filling this in for us! If you are involved with KS2, we'd love to hear from you! Please share @ruthswailes.bsky.social @uklitassociation.bsky.social @teresacremin.bsky.social @writingrocks.bsky.social
Are you a KS2 teacher? We're adding an extra dimension to our survey of poetry at KS3 by asking some KS2 teachers to respond to one question. Please could you take 2 mins to click this link & answer the question? Huge thanks! www.surveymonkey.com/r/MapKS2Coll...
Mapping Poetry: A Question for Primary Colleagues
Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.
www.surveymonkey.com
January 28, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Thank you to all those primary teachers filling this in for us! If you are involved with KS2, we'd love to hear from you! Please share @ruthswailes.bsky.social @uklitassociation.bsky.social @teresacremin.bsky.social @writingrocks.bsky.social
Reposted by James Durran
Are you a KS2 teacher? We're adding an extra dimension to our survey of poetry at KS3 by asking some KS2 teachers to respond to one question. Please could you take 2 mins to click this link & answer the question? Huge thanks! www.surveymonkey.com/r/MapKS2Coll...
Mapping Poetry: A Question for Primary Colleagues
Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.
www.surveymonkey.com
January 28, 2026 at 9:24 AM
Are you a KS2 teacher? We're adding an extra dimension to our survey of poetry at KS3 by asking some KS2 teachers to respond to one question. Please could you take 2 mins to click this link & answer the question? Huge thanks! www.surveymonkey.com/r/MapKS2Coll...
Reposted by James Durran
You know how annoying it is to be told "You're just sat there on your phone", when actually you're reading, replying to someone, looking something up, or something otherwise worthwhile?
To many teenagers, the whole discourse around their phone & social media use feels like a big version of that.
To many teenagers, the whole discourse around their phone & social media use feels like a big version of that.
January 27, 2026 at 9:02 PM
You know how annoying it is to be told "You're just sat there on your phone", when actually you're reading, replying to someone, looking something up, or something otherwise worthwhile?
To many teenagers, the whole discourse around their phone & social media use feels like a big version of that.
To many teenagers, the whole discourse around their phone & social media use feels like a big version of that.
Interestingly, in Australia, WhatsApp is one of the platforms NOT banned... 🤔
Exclusive: Which social media apps are most likely to be involved in pastoral incidents in schools? A Tes poll reveals all…
1 in 3 teachers reports WhatsApp pastoral incidents
Exclusive polling revealing the impact of social media in schools comes as the government is considering a ban for under-16s
www.tes.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:05 PM
Interestingly, in Australia, WhatsApp is one of the platforms NOT banned... 🤔