Mark Boylan
@markboylan.bsky.social
Professor, maths ed, professional learning, evaluation, implementation, social change, waiting for the ranters, diggers and levellers to come back him/he/his
Reposted by Mark Boylan
I'm not sure if ppl outside academia realise that if you quit a permanent post in this job market you will amost certainly never get another one, esp in arts & hums. All that post graduate training, the years of precarity, not being able to choose where you or your family live. Pffft. For nothing.
February 18, 2026 at 8:46 AM
I'm not sure if ppl outside academia realise that if you quit a permanent post in this job market you will amost certainly never get another one, esp in arts & hums. All that post graduate training, the years of precarity, not being able to choose where you or your family live. Pffft. For nothing.
Reposted by Mark Boylan
"We look after each other and we work hard."
Hannah Spencer providing the antidote to Reform's hate and division in the BBC Gorton and Denton by-election debate 💪
Hannah Spencer providing the antidote to Reform's hate and division in the BBC Gorton and Denton by-election debate 💪
February 17, 2026 at 3:03 PM
"We look after each other and we work hard."
Hannah Spencer providing the antidote to Reform's hate and division in the BBC Gorton and Denton by-election debate 💪
Hannah Spencer providing the antidote to Reform's hate and division in the BBC Gorton and Denton by-election debate 💪
Reposted by Mark Boylan
Shameful that the EHRC has no written records of any meetings with trans-led organisations over the last five years when trans rights have been under such assault.
Human rights apply to everyone and the EHRC should know full well that its job is to stand up for everyone’s rights. 🏳️⚧️
Human rights apply to everyone and the EHRC should know full well that its job is to stand up for everyone’s rights. 🏳️⚧️
FOI reveals the EHRC holds zero minutes of meetings with trans-led organisations in the past 5 years.
This is the UK’s 'equality' regulator.
Trans voices are not important enough for the EHRC to keep a record of what was said. This should be a headline in all the papers.
This is the UK’s 'equality' regulator.
Trans voices are not important enough for the EHRC to keep a record of what was said. This should be a headline in all the papers.
February 18, 2026 at 7:31 AM
Shameful that the EHRC has no written records of any meetings with trans-led organisations over the last five years when trans rights have been under such assault.
Human rights apply to everyone and the EHRC should know full well that its job is to stand up for everyone’s rights. 🏳️⚧️
Human rights apply to everyone and the EHRC should know full well that its job is to stand up for everyone’s rights. 🏳️⚧️
Reposted by Mark Boylan
What kind of border constitutes migration? Does my skin colour play a part? How about my parents? If I move to France, but both grandparents were French, am I an immigrant then? Wherever I go, I try to be a good neighbour - isn't that enough? Who decides? Why? Does it matter?
If I move from England to Wales, am I an immigrant? What about moving to Scotland, or Jersey, or the Shetland Isles? How about if I move from Kent to Essex, or Devon to Cornwall? What if I move from the town I was born in, to a neighbouring village? Who do I check with? Who decides? Does it matter?
February 17, 2026 at 11:33 PM
What kind of border constitutes migration? Does my skin colour play a part? How about my parents? If I move to France, but both grandparents were French, am I an immigrant then? Wherever I go, I try to be a good neighbour - isn't that enough? Who decides? Why? Does it matter?
Reposted by Mark Boylan
Nice @mattbarnum.bsky.social piece describing an important new study on whether really effective (85th%ile) teachers who have a big change in school context continue to be really effective. They don't: they continue to be effective (66th%ile), but not top tier.
www.chalkbeat.org/2026/02/17/t...
www.chalkbeat.org/2026/02/17/t...
Teaching as a team sport: What happens when a great teacher moves to a struggling school?
New research on a federal program found that when top teachers transferred to high-need schools, their performance dropped significantly. Teacher effectiveness may not be a fixed skill.
www.chalkbeat.org
February 17, 2026 at 11:21 PM
Nice @mattbarnum.bsky.social piece describing an important new study on whether really effective (85th%ile) teachers who have a big change in school context continue to be really effective. They don't: they continue to be effective (66th%ile), but not top tier.
www.chalkbeat.org/2026/02/17/t...
www.chalkbeat.org/2026/02/17/t...
Reposted by Mark Boylan
As evidenced by his graceless hissy fit when asked a polite question about this today, Farage *really* doesn't want us talking about how expensively privately educated his whole top team were, it would be such a shame if everyone got to hear about this
Welcome to Reform’s front bench
Yusuf, Hampton School, £29,916 per year
Jenrick, Wolverhampton Grammar, £17,835 per year
Farage, Dulwich College, £30,618 per year
Tice, Uppingham School, £58,176 per year
Braverman, Heathfield School, defunct private school
The authentic voice of the working class
Yusuf, Hampton School, £29,916 per year
Jenrick, Wolverhampton Grammar, £17,835 per year
Farage, Dulwich College, £30,618 per year
Tice, Uppingham School, £58,176 per year
Braverman, Heathfield School, defunct private school
The authentic voice of the working class
February 17, 2026 at 7:54 PM
As evidenced by his graceless hissy fit when asked a polite question about this today, Farage *really* doesn't want us talking about how expensively privately educated his whole top team were, it would be such a shame if everyone got to hear about this
Reposted by Mark Boylan
One of the more hopeful signs in UK politics is that Reform consistently struggles to poll above the mid-to-high 20s - despite a deteriorating economy, the simultaneous implosion of both the traditional parties and a pet TV station.
Reform is not some unstoppable force. It's eminently beatable.
Reform is not some unstoppable force. It's eminently beatable.
Reform's polling is ~the lowest its been since last year's local elections
February 17, 2026 at 6:13 PM
One of the more hopeful signs in UK politics is that Reform consistently struggles to poll above the mid-to-high 20s - despite a deteriorating economy, the simultaneous implosion of both the traditional parties and a pet TV station.
Reform is not some unstoppable force. It's eminently beatable.
Reform is not some unstoppable force. It's eminently beatable.
Reposted by Mark Boylan
I understand impulse to criticise BUT it’s vital people feel they can come forward for vaccines at any point. Never too late and it’s FREE on NHS so get them done! Also MMR is v effective vaccine used globally - there are good reasons the single jabs aren’t www.independent.co.uk/life-style/h...
I’m a London parent who hasn’t vaccinated my kids against measles, let me explain
A new outbreak of measles is spreading across north London, and it’s a wake-up call to all mums like me who didn’t give the MMR vaccines to our children, says Charlotte Cripps
www.independent.co.uk
February 17, 2026 at 7:13 PM
I understand impulse to criticise BUT it’s vital people feel they can come forward for vaccines at any point. Never too late and it’s FREE on NHS so get them done! Also MMR is v effective vaccine used globally - there are good reasons the single jabs aren’t www.independent.co.uk/life-style/h...
Reposted by Mark Boylan
Welcome to Reform’s front bench
Yusuf, Hampton School, £29,916 per year
Jenrick, Wolverhampton Grammar, £17,835 per year
Farage, Dulwich College, £30,618 per year
Tice, Uppingham School, £58,176 per year
Braverman, Heathfield School, defunct private school
The authentic voice of the working class
Yusuf, Hampton School, £29,916 per year
Jenrick, Wolverhampton Grammar, £17,835 per year
Farage, Dulwich College, £30,618 per year
Tice, Uppingham School, £58,176 per year
Braverman, Heathfield School, defunct private school
The authentic voice of the working class
February 17, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Welcome to Reform’s front bench
Yusuf, Hampton School, £29,916 per year
Jenrick, Wolverhampton Grammar, £17,835 per year
Farage, Dulwich College, £30,618 per year
Tice, Uppingham School, £58,176 per year
Braverman, Heathfield School, defunct private school
The authentic voice of the working class
Yusuf, Hampton School, £29,916 per year
Jenrick, Wolverhampton Grammar, £17,835 per year
Farage, Dulwich College, £30,618 per year
Tice, Uppingham School, £58,176 per year
Braverman, Heathfield School, defunct private school
The authentic voice of the working class
Reposted by Mark Boylan
Braverman says social transitioning would be banned in all schools, "no ifs or buts". She says the 50% target for university education would be replaced with a 50% target for kids going into trades like electricians and plumbing. As ever, I'll believe it when it's the MPs' own kids who do this.
February 17, 2026 at 11:37 AM
Braverman says social transitioning would be banned in all schools, "no ifs or buts". She says the 50% target for university education would be replaced with a 50% target for kids going into trades like electricians and plumbing. As ever, I'll believe it when it's the MPs' own kids who do this.
Reposted by Mark Boylan
Content warning for conversion therapy, suicide.
One thing I'd like to add to this is that not only does conversion therapy not work, the academic work that launched an industry of abuse was based on fraud; Rekers and Lovaas' "Sissy Boy" experiment, the child subjected to it later took his own life
One thing I'd like to add to this is that not only does conversion therapy not work, the academic work that launched an industry of abuse was based on fraud; Rekers and Lovaas' "Sissy Boy" experiment, the child subjected to it later took his own life
The problem of conversion therapy is, as ever, not that conversion therapy doesn't work (although that's true) but that it constitutes an act of violence to suppress almost exclusively vulnerable people's core psychological development and that is devastating.
February 17, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Content warning for conversion therapy, suicide.
One thing I'd like to add to this is that not only does conversion therapy not work, the academic work that launched an industry of abuse was based on fraud; Rekers and Lovaas' "Sissy Boy" experiment, the child subjected to it later took his own life
One thing I'd like to add to this is that not only does conversion therapy not work, the academic work that launched an industry of abuse was based on fraud; Rekers and Lovaas' "Sissy Boy" experiment, the child subjected to it later took his own life
Reposted by Mark Boylan
“Draft trans guidance for schools treats vulnerable kids as a threat”
A very good one line summary.
A very good one line summary.
Draft trans guidance for schools treats vulnerable kids as a threat
The guidance won’t become law until September, but the draft shows Labour is intent on kicking trans people and calling it fair play
www.thecanary.co
February 17, 2026 at 10:17 AM
“Draft trans guidance for schools treats vulnerable kids as a threat”
A very good one line summary.
A very good one line summary.
Reposted by Mark Boylan
its amazing how chatgpt knows everything about subjects I know nothing about, but is wrong like 40% of the time in things im an expert on. not going to think about this any further
March 8, 2025 at 12:13 AM
its amazing how chatgpt knows everything about subjects I know nothing about, but is wrong like 40% of the time in things im an expert on. not going to think about this any further
Reposted by Mark Boylan
This is the thing, Hilary Cass can pretend that she's not suggesting anything extreme but merely by using the language is correction to natural course of gender she will be promoting various forms of domestic abuse by the language itself.
"When my daughter defied the Correct Natural Trajectory I laid before her, I 'corrected' her sir. And when my wife tried to prevent me from keeping our daughter on the Correct Natural Trajectory, I 'corrected' her."
February 17, 2026 at 6:49 AM
This is the thing, Hilary Cass can pretend that she's not suggesting anything extreme but merely by using the language is correction to natural course of gender she will be promoting various forms of domestic abuse by the language itself.
Reposted by Mark Boylan
If you murdered someone you would go to prison.
What happened to the Water Company?
Nothing they weren't even charged.
What happened to the Water Company?
Nothing they weren't even charged.
'My child died after visiting UK beach days after a sewage spill'
Julie Maughan whose daughter Heather died of E. coli after a day out at the beach says she hopes a new TV drama shines a light on the scandal of water companies dumping sewage
www.mirror.co.uk
February 17, 2026 at 1:16 AM
If you murdered someone you would go to prison.
What happened to the Water Company?
Nothing they weren't even charged.
What happened to the Water Company?
Nothing they weren't even charged.
Reposted by Mark Boylan
Reposted by Mark Boylan
Blimey. Looks like Matt Goodwin, who seems to think the Handmaid's Tale is an instruction manual, is in the pay of an Orban think tank, funded by Russian oil money.
Orbán’s pay cheques: Reform candidate fuelled by profits from Russian oil
The Reform candidate at this month’s byelection claims he wants to put Britain first, but is he still on the payroll of Viktor Orbán’s far-right propaganda unit?
goodlaw.social
February 16, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Blimey. Looks like Matt Goodwin, who seems to think the Handmaid's Tale is an instruction manual, is in the pay of an Orban think tank, funded by Russian oil money.
Reposted by Mark Boylan
not the point, but for the record: the very existence of trans people completely disproves this argument?? if overwhelming social pressure to present as a certain gender could really override intrinsic knowledge of the self... trans people wouldn't exist. yet all through history, there we are
"if they socially transition too early we think they can get locked onto a trajectory that may not have been the correct natural trajectory for them"
Direct quote.
Direct quote.
February 16, 2026 at 9:00 PM
not the point, but for the record: the very existence of trans people completely disproves this argument?? if overwhelming social pressure to present as a certain gender could really override intrinsic knowledge of the self... trans people wouldn't exist. yet all through history, there we are
Reposted by Mark Boylan
Parliament, in 90s-10s, made various laws that no one, including transphobes, may discriminate against trans people.
The Supreme Court says, actually, that transphobes can discriminate and also demand that others discriminate.
The High Court says, actually, no, there are simply no laws.
The Supreme Court says, actually, that transphobes can discriminate and also demand that others discriminate.
The High Court says, actually, no, there are simply no laws.
February 16, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Parliament, in 90s-10s, made various laws that no one, including transphobes, may discriminate against trans people.
The Supreme Court says, actually, that transphobes can discriminate and also demand that others discriminate.
The High Court says, actually, no, there are simply no laws.
The Supreme Court says, actually, that transphobes can discriminate and also demand that others discriminate.
The High Court says, actually, no, there are simply no laws.
Reposted by Mark Boylan
It’s the Government’s duty to protect all communities - including trans people.
They’re failing to do that.
Trans people deserve safety and dignity.
www.attitude.co.uk/news/zack-po...
They’re failing to do that.
Trans people deserve safety and dignity.
www.attitude.co.uk/news/zack-po...
Zack Polanski on how Keir Starmer could have changed the April 2025 UK Supreme Court ruling to protect trans rights (EXCLUSIVE)
Zack Polanski revealed how Keir Starmer could have acted to protect trans rights after April 2025 UK Supreme Court ruling.
www.attitude.co.uk
February 16, 2026 at 2:06 PM
It’s the Government’s duty to protect all communities - including trans people.
They’re failing to do that.
Trans people deserve safety and dignity.
www.attitude.co.uk/news/zack-po...
They’re failing to do that.
Trans people deserve safety and dignity.
www.attitude.co.uk/news/zack-po...
Reposted by Mark Boylan
Billionaires are money hoarders. No one can spend $1 billion, let alone $100bn, on things they & their families need, or even really want. If they gave away 99% of their loot, this lot would still be absurdly, obscenely rich. Their wealth is socially useless, kept out of circulation for status alone
February 16, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Billionaires are money hoarders. No one can spend $1 billion, let alone $100bn, on things they & their families need, or even really want. If they gave away 99% of their loot, this lot would still be absurdly, obscenely rich. Their wealth is socially useless, kept out of circulation for status alone
Reposted by Mark Boylan
HELLO I WAS A QUEER TEEN IN THE 1990s AND THE ARGUMENTS AGAINST SOCIAL TRANSITION NOW ARE INDISTINGUISHABLE FROM THE ARGUMENTS AGAINST "LETTING" US BE (at the time, for me) GAY OR LESBIAN THEN.
They all rest on the belief that it's inherently better to be straight (then)/cis (now) and that's BS.
They all rest on the belief that it's inherently better to be straight (then)/cis (now) and that's BS.
Hilary Cass here arguing for children to be prevented from being known by a preferred name or getting a haircut in case it encourages them to continue later in life to transition.
Hilary Cass acts like gender variant children should have the transness hazed out of them.
Hilary Cass acts like gender variant children should have the transness hazed out of them.
February 16, 2026 at 6:32 PM
HELLO I WAS A QUEER TEEN IN THE 1990s AND THE ARGUMENTS AGAINST SOCIAL TRANSITION NOW ARE INDISTINGUISHABLE FROM THE ARGUMENTS AGAINST "LETTING" US BE (at the time, for me) GAY OR LESBIAN THEN.
They all rest on the belief that it's inherently better to be straight (then)/cis (now) and that's BS.
They all rest on the belief that it's inherently better to be straight (then)/cis (now) and that's BS.
Reposted by Mark Boylan
Pure moral panic. How, precisely, would a child who experiments with a different haircut or pronouns get “locked in” to a trans identity?
The parents who had no problem letting her identify as trans suddenly restrict her from identifying as cis? It makes no sense.
The parents who had no problem letting her identify as trans suddenly restrict her from identifying as cis? It makes no sense.
"if they socially transition too early we think they can get locked onto a trajectory that may not have been the correct natural trajectory for them"
Direct quote.
Direct quote.
February 16, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Pure moral panic. How, precisely, would a child who experiments with a different haircut or pronouns get “locked in” to a trans identity?
The parents who had no problem letting her identify as trans suddenly restrict her from identifying as cis? It makes no sense.
The parents who had no problem letting her identify as trans suddenly restrict her from identifying as cis? It makes no sense.
Reposted by Mark Boylan
This government promised to be tough on sewage pollution.
Thames Water has polluted for 80,000 hours in the first six weeks of 2026 alone.
That's a 75% increase on the same period last year.
Regulation has FAILED. It's time for public ownership of water.
Thames Water has polluted for 80,000 hours in the first six weeks of 2026 alone.
That's a 75% increase on the same period last year.
Regulation has FAILED. It's time for public ownership of water.
Sewage spills in London and South East worse than ever this year
Some overflows have been releasing sewage into rivers non-stop for over a week as the network struggles to deal with wet weather
inews.co.uk
February 16, 2026 at 10:57 AM
This government promised to be tough on sewage pollution.
Thames Water has polluted for 80,000 hours in the first six weeks of 2026 alone.
That's a 75% increase on the same period last year.
Regulation has FAILED. It's time for public ownership of water.
Thames Water has polluted for 80,000 hours in the first six weeks of 2026 alone.
That's a 75% increase on the same period last year.
Regulation has FAILED. It's time for public ownership of water.
Reposted by Mark Boylan
Since the government is about to introduce a social media ban for under-16s based largely on vibes – and Jonathan Haidt's shitty book – in the hopes it boosts its popularity (it won't), I'll re-up this.
If we're banning under-16s, why not over-60s?
If we're banning under-16s, why not over-60s?
On almost everything – fraud, polarisation, radicalisation, misinformation – evidence suggests that over 60s are in much more urgent need of online protection and education than teenagers.
But that issue gets zero political attention, and is a total non-starter. Nothing good will come of it.
But that issue gets zero political attention, and is a total non-starter. Nothing good will come of it.
This was a minor story on London news this morning - but suspect is a real cautionary (and alarming) tale of an older man getting radicalised online.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
February 16, 2026 at 9:48 AM
Since the government is about to introduce a social media ban for under-16s based largely on vibes – and Jonathan Haidt's shitty book – in the hopes it boosts its popularity (it won't), I'll re-up this.
If we're banning under-16s, why not over-60s?
If we're banning under-16s, why not over-60s?