Kathryn Stinton
@kathrynstinton.bsky.social
Independent Early Years Consultant/Elklan Tutor. Ex Local Authority Area SENCO/Teacher enjoying my freedom. Animal lover + volunteer at Vale Wildlife Hospital. www.kathrynstinton.com
"Rather than starting with mainstream expectations and adapting them for pupils with SEND, curriculum design should begin with the needs of learners with SEND and work outwards. This ensures learning is genuinely inclusive, developmentally appropriate and ambitious”
The government is in danger of overlooking the importance of what is taught in special schools and needs to focus more on students who cannot access the national curriculum, special-school leaders have warned. www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Special schools fear being an ‘afterthought’ on curriculum
In response to the curriculum review, leaders in the specialist sector urge the DfE to focus more on what is taught in special schools and how best practice can be shared
www.tes.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:26 AM
"Rather than starting with mainstream expectations and adapting them for pupils with SEND, curriculum design should begin with the needs of learners with SEND and work outwards. This ensures learning is genuinely inclusive, developmentally appropriate and ambitious”
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
A baby in her pram on the train rummages around for a long time in the depths of her pram seat. Finally, she finds a small piece of broken cracker and with a fabulous smile, she offers it to the man opposite her.
November 13, 2025 at 8:18 PM
A baby in her pram on the train rummages around for a long time in the depths of her pram seat. Finally, she finds a small piece of broken cracker and with a fabulous smile, she offers it to the man opposite her.
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
Imo 'school readiness' is a ridiculous concept especially now that so many of the early learning goals (the measure they use) are not developmentally appropriate. Honestly you should see the self-regulation goals because quite a lot of *adults* wouldn't meet them.
Government wants to raise 'school readiness' to 75% by 2028 - but experts have warned the education committee this target could leave poorer pupils further behind
schoolsweek.co.uk/government-s...
schoolsweek.co.uk/government-s...
School readiness target 'risky', experts tell MPs
Experts fear a focus on those 'closest to the line' as ministers impose 75% school readiness aim
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Imo 'school readiness' is a ridiculous concept especially now that so many of the early learning goals (the measure they use) are not developmentally appropriate. Honestly you should see the self-regulation goals because quite a lot of *adults* wouldn't meet them.
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
UK Parliament - School Transport! They want to hear from organisations and individuals – and it’s easy to do 📑
Find out more here: https://f.mtr.cool/vtuceigrsf
Find out more here: https://f.mtr.cool/vtuceigrsf
November 12, 2025 at 10:03 AM
UK Parliament - School Transport! They want to hear from organisations and individuals – and it’s easy to do 📑
Find out more here: https://f.mtr.cool/vtuceigrsf
Find out more here: https://f.mtr.cool/vtuceigrsf
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
Our free EYSEND workshops are continuing throughout the Autumn Term!📆
Join us and learn how to give families the tools to support their child’s communication skills💬👩👩👧👦
Learn more and book your place: https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/educators-and-professionals/training-courses/eysend-partnership/
Join us and learn how to give families the tools to support their child’s communication skills💬👩👩👧👦
Learn more and book your place: https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/educators-and-professionals/training-courses/eysend-partnership/
November 11, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Our free EYSEND workshops are continuing throughout the Autumn Term!📆
Join us and learn how to give families the tools to support their child’s communication skills💬👩👩👧👦
Learn more and book your place: https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/educators-and-professionals/training-courses/eysend-partnership/
Join us and learn how to give families the tools to support their child’s communication skills💬👩👩👧👦
Learn more and book your place: https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/educators-and-professionals/training-courses/eysend-partnership/
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
I’m so upset with our govt. A 3 line whip (😮) to stop a brick being put into new buildings. Please don’t let the swifts die
Swifts have declined 70% since 1994.
They fly from Africa to breed here, only to find we've blocked their nest sites.
A £35 swift brick nest box was proposed for all new buildings.
The construction industry lobbied Labour to block it.
Biodiversity sustains life. Labour sustains economic power.
They fly from Africa to breed here, only to find we've blocked their nest sites.
A £35 swift brick nest box was proposed for all new buildings.
The construction industry lobbied Labour to block it.
Biodiversity sustains life. Labour sustains economic power.
November 8, 2025 at 8:31 AM
I’m so upset with our govt. A 3 line whip (😮) to stop a brick being put into new buildings. Please don’t let the swifts die
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
UK photographer Shirley Baker documented the city of Manchester's streets in the 1960s #WomensArt
November 8, 2025 at 5:34 AM
UK photographer Shirley Baker documented the city of Manchester's streets in the 1960s #WomensArt
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
NEW POST: Yesterday, the year-long Curriculum and Assessment Review—and the Government response—were published. But what's in it to help children with SEND—and what do support organisations think? @tanialt.bsky.social explains more: www.specialneedsjungle.com/c...
November 6, 2025 at 6:02 AM
NEW POST: Yesterday, the year-long Curriculum and Assessment Review—and the Government response—were published. But what's in it to help children with SEND—and what do support organisations think? @tanialt.bsky.social explains more: www.specialneedsjungle.com/c...
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
I'm particularly found of the light on this big bruiser. He was just waking up from a nap. #BearSeason2025 #mammals 🌿
November 3, 2025 at 4:47 PM
I'm particularly found of the light on this big bruiser. He was just waking up from a nap. #BearSeason2025 #mammals 🌿
'In refusing to accept that children learn in specific ways, and by shortening the critical development stage for play-based learning, the English education system has gone badly wrong.'
Do we really expect five-year-olds to sit at desks? I want a school that understands play is learning | Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
Do we really expect five-year-olds to sit at desks? I want a school that understands play is learning | Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
In England, young children go from glitter clay and building dens to classrooms a Victorian would recognise – and that system is failing many of them, says Guardian columnist Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
www.theguardian.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:43 AM
'In refusing to accept that children learn in specific ways, and by shortening the critical development stage for play-based learning, the English education system has gone badly wrong.'
There are lots of myths about Education, Health + Care needs assessments + many plans aren't specific enough. Please signpost parents to the IPSEA website for independent + accurate information.
www.ipsea.org.uk/ehc-needs-as...
www.ipsea.org.uk/ehc-needs-as...
EHC needs assessments
An EHC needs assessment is an assessment of a child or young person’s education, health and care needs
www.ipsea.org.uk
October 24, 2025 at 12:43 PM
There are lots of myths about Education, Health + Care needs assessments + many plans aren't specific enough. Please signpost parents to the IPSEA website for independent + accurate information.
www.ipsea.org.uk/ehc-needs-as...
www.ipsea.org.uk/ehc-needs-as...
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
"Children are not presenting with “new” vulnerabilities; the buffering architecture around them has been removed."
Possibly applies at all ages
Possibly applies at all ages
"Guidance is often authored by individuals embedded in social and professional contexts where time, stability, literacy capital and institutional trust are assumed. The child is assessed against a developmental story they were never resourced to live." AMEN!
www.nurseryworld.co.uk/content/news...
www.nurseryworld.co.uk/content/news...
Dr Aaron Bradbury: If school readiness is really about children, we need to stop pretending context doesn’t matter - Nursery World
Every child's individual experience needs to be taken into account when they start school, says Dr Aaron Bradbury
www.nurseryworld.co.uk
October 21, 2025 at 6:05 AM
"Children are not presenting with “new” vulnerabilities; the buffering architecture around them has been removed."
Possibly applies at all ages
Possibly applies at all ages
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
I'm running a webinar on adaptive teaching on 5th November. Loads of practical advice about inclusive approaches to teaching. Pay what you can to attend. Please share. Thank you! #EduSky
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-ultima...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-ultima...
The Ultimate Guide to Adaptive Teaching - Webinar with Sue Cowley
Sue Cowley shares ideas about adaptive teaching and offers a range of practical strategies for creating an inclusive classroom
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 2:06 PM
I'm running a webinar on adaptive teaching on 5th November. Loads of practical advice about inclusive approaches to teaching. Pay what you can to attend. Please share. Thank you! #EduSky
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-ultima...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-ultima...
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
Bookstores are more than shops—they’re havens. You walk in for one book, leave with three, and gain an hour of peace just wandering the shelves.
October 20, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Bookstores are more than shops—they’re havens. You walk in for one book, leave with three, and gain an hour of peace just wandering the shelves.
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
Fake cobwebs like these may look spooky – but what's really scary about them is that they can trap & injure wildlife, including birds, insects & small mammals. And fake webs aren't recyclable – so will end up in landfill for many years.
More: littlegreenspace.org.uk/features/5-i...
#Halloween
More: littlegreenspace.org.uk/features/5-i...
#Halloween
October 13, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Fake cobwebs like these may look spooky – but what's really scary about them is that they can trap & injure wildlife, including birds, insects & small mammals. And fake webs aren't recyclable – so will end up in landfill for many years.
More: littlegreenspace.org.uk/features/5-i...
#Halloween
More: littlegreenspace.org.uk/features/5-i...
#Halloween
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
We offer 1-hour sessions to provide parents and carers with information to help support a child or young person when someone important to them has died, while also looking after yourself. 💛
To register: childbereavementuk.org/support-webinars
#bereavedfamilies #bereavementsupport #griefsupport
To register: childbereavementuk.org/support-webinars
#bereavedfamilies #bereavementsupport #griefsupport
October 18, 2025 at 10:00 AM
We offer 1-hour sessions to provide parents and carers with information to help support a child or young person when someone important to them has died, while also looking after yourself. 💛
To register: childbereavementuk.org/support-webinars
#bereavedfamilies #bereavementsupport #griefsupport
To register: childbereavementuk.org/support-webinars
#bereavedfamilies #bereavementsupport #griefsupport
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
It was a foggy morning, but the sun was starting to peek through.
Out of nowhere a large bird appeared, flew low over the marsh grasses, and was gone.
This Short-eared Owl was hunting the marsh … a perfect match for the silence of the fog!
Out of nowhere a large bird appeared, flew low over the marsh grasses, and was gone.
This Short-eared Owl was hunting the marsh … a perfect match for the silence of the fog!
September 27, 2025 at 1:29 AM
It was a foggy morning, but the sun was starting to peek through.
Out of nowhere a large bird appeared, flew low over the marsh grasses, and was gone.
This Short-eared Owl was hunting the marsh … a perfect match for the silence of the fog!
Out of nowhere a large bird appeared, flew low over the marsh grasses, and was gone.
This Short-eared Owl was hunting the marsh … a perfect match for the silence of the fog!
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
This afternoon!
Free webinar for schools from Speech and Language UK, all about Developmental Language Disorder.
Tell someone quick!
speechandlanguage.org.uk/educators-an...
#DLDday
#DevLangDis
Free webinar for schools from Speech and Language UK, all about Developmental Language Disorder.
Tell someone quick!
speechandlanguage.org.uk/educators-an...
#DLDday
#DevLangDis
Developmental Language Disorder Awareness Day webinar
Join us on Wednesday, 15th October at 3:30pm
speechandlanguage.org.uk
October 15, 2025 at 8:36 AM
This afternoon!
Free webinar for schools from Speech and Language UK, all about Developmental Language Disorder.
Tell someone quick!
speechandlanguage.org.uk/educators-an...
#DLDday
#DevLangDis
Free webinar for schools from Speech and Language UK, all about Developmental Language Disorder.
Tell someone quick!
speechandlanguage.org.uk/educators-an...
#DLDday
#DevLangDis
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
[Young Harbour Seal pup, in its best Joey Tribbiani voice]: "How you doin'?"
Bay of Fundy, #NewBrunswick, Canada
September 2025
📸 #mammals #marinelife #seal #nature #wildlife #photography #Nikon #Z9 #Nikkor800pf
Bay of Fundy, #NewBrunswick, Canada
September 2025
📸 #mammals #marinelife #seal #nature #wildlife #photography #Nikon #Z9 #Nikkor800pf
October 11, 2025 at 1:00 PM
[Young Harbour Seal pup, in its best Joey Tribbiani voice]: "How you doin'?"
Bay of Fundy, #NewBrunswick, Canada
September 2025
📸 #mammals #marinelife #seal #nature #wildlife #photography #Nikon #Z9 #Nikkor800pf
Bay of Fundy, #NewBrunswick, Canada
September 2025
📸 #mammals #marinelife #seal #nature #wildlife #photography #Nikon #Z9 #Nikkor800pf
Mr Uttley said: “When all of the figures are going in the wrong direction - around suspension, permanent exclusion, attendance, elective home education, mental health, all of those things - might we not be at a point where we need to ask some more fundamental questions?”
There is an 'irreconcilable conflict' between the drive for inclusion and a system of 'hyper-competition' between schools, a trust leader has warned #TesSENDShow
‘Hyper-competition’ between schools weakens inclusion, leader warns
SEND reforms should leave behind the long-established ‘market system’ of competition, the Tes SEND Show hears
www.tes.com
October 11, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Mr Uttley said: “When all of the figures are going in the wrong direction - around suspension, permanent exclusion, attendance, elective home education, mental health, all of those things - might we not be at a point where we need to ask some more fundamental questions?”
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
When you come at inclusion via the early years idea of creating an 'enabling environment' then what happens is that you adapt the setting to suit the children rather than trying to adapt the children to suit the setting.
'The child is not for the school; the school is for the child." #EduSky
'The child is not for the school; the school is for the child." #EduSky
October 11, 2025 at 6:48 AM
When you come at inclusion via the early years idea of creating an 'enabling environment' then what happens is that you adapt the setting to suit the children rather than trying to adapt the children to suit the setting.
'The child is not for the school; the school is for the child." #EduSky
'The child is not for the school; the school is for the child." #EduSky
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
⚠️ Please report sightings of dead birds for possible testing for Avian Influenza. ⬇️
📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/...
📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/...
📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.serv...
#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/...
📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/...
📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.serv...
#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
October 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM
⚠️ Please report sightings of dead birds for possible testing for Avian Influenza. ⬇️
📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/...
📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/...
📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.serv...
#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/...
📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/...
📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.serv...
#UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
"In England today, access to high-quality early education depends far too often on a family’s circumstances rather than on a child’s needs. Decades of evidence show that the very children currently locked out are the ones who would benefit most."
💬 "Breaking the link between background and opportunity does not start at the school gate, it starts in the nursery doorway."
More on the crucial role that affordable, high-quality childcare plays in fighting inequality ⤵️
More on the crucial role that affordable, high-quality childcare plays in fighting inequality ⤵️
Access to early education is the first line of defence against inequality - The Sutton Trust
Discussing the importance of improving access to early education and childcare.
www.suttontrust.com
October 4, 2025 at 11:25 AM
"In England today, access to high-quality early education depends far too often on a family’s circumstances rather than on a child’s needs. Decades of evidence show that the very children currently locked out are the ones who would benefit most."
Reposted by Kathryn Stinton
Almost 700k children in England have #DLD, struggling to join in jokes, share stories or ask for help at school. With the right training, teachers can spot challenges early.
Sign up for our free #DLDDay webinar: https://bit.ly/4gvUvoF
Sign up for our free #DLDDay webinar: https://bit.ly/4gvUvoF
September 29, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Almost 700k children in England have #DLD, struggling to join in jokes, share stories or ask for help at school. With the right training, teachers can spot challenges early.
Sign up for our free #DLDDay webinar: https://bit.ly/4gvUvoF
Sign up for our free #DLDDay webinar: https://bit.ly/4gvUvoF
A fantastic line up for this free @neunion.bsky.social #EarlyYears conference.
nationaleducationunion.foleon.com/early-years/...
nationaleducationunion.foleon.com/early-years/...
Early years conference October 25 - Early years conference
nationaleducationunion.foleon.com
September 24, 2025 at 12:22 PM
A fantastic line up for this free @neunion.bsky.social #EarlyYears conference.
nationaleducationunion.foleon.com/early-years/...
nationaleducationunion.foleon.com/early-years/...