Dr Sarah Comfort
@sarahcomfort1.bsky.social
Head of Science, South East UK.
Mum of 2 grown up children.
PhD Biochem.
Teach Chemistry and Physics
Mum of 2 grown up children.
PhD Biochem.
Teach Chemistry and Physics
Reposted by Dr Sarah Comfort
I'm becoming really worried about our SENCOs.
I think their job is becoming systemically impossible.
They're being ground down by impossible workloads and now huge numbers of complaints, which makes it all but impossible for them to be strategic.
I'm worried we're going to lose them,
I think their job is becoming systemically impossible.
They're being ground down by impossible workloads and now huge numbers of complaints, which makes it all but impossible for them to be strategic.
I'm worried we're going to lose them,
November 18, 2025 at 10:24 AM
I'm becoming really worried about our SENCOs.
I think their job is becoming systemically impossible.
They're being ground down by impossible workloads and now huge numbers of complaints, which makes it all but impossible for them to be strategic.
I'm worried we're going to lose them,
I think their job is becoming systemically impossible.
They're being ground down by impossible workloads and now huge numbers of complaints, which makes it all but impossible for them to be strategic.
I'm worried we're going to lose them,
Reposted by Dr Sarah Comfort
Is it 'online training course'?
June 17, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Is it 'online training course'?
Reposted by Dr Sarah Comfort
Free website that lets you create circuit diagrams to use in presentations and worksheets
youtube.com/shorts/Bf9Sh...
#edusky #science #scienceteaching #uked
youtube.com/shorts/Bf9Sh...
#edusky #science #scienceteaching #uked
Online Circuit Diagram Creator
YouTube video by Danny Nicholson : Think Bank Education
youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Free website that lets you create circuit diagrams to use in presentations and worksheets
youtube.com/shorts/Bf9Sh...
#edusky #science #scienceteaching #uked
youtube.com/shorts/Bf9Sh...
#edusky #science #scienceteaching #uked
Reposted by Dr Sarah Comfort
With the new Ofsted toolkit removing deep dives, subject leaders need a new way to consider quality assurance.
I’ve shared a practical Subject Leader Self-Audit Tool to help evidence strengths and plan next steps within the 2025 framework.
Download it here:
🔗 open.substack.com/pub/enserm/p...
I’ve shared a practical Subject Leader Self-Audit Tool to help evidence strengths and plan next steps within the 2025 framework.
Download it here:
🔗 open.substack.com/pub/enserm/p...
Subject Leader Self-Audit Tool
With the new Ofsted inspection toolkit removing subject deep dives, it’s now harder for leaders to demonstrate the quality of education through traditional triangulation.
open.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:03 AM
With the new Ofsted toolkit removing deep dives, subject leaders need a new way to consider quality assurance.
I’ve shared a practical Subject Leader Self-Audit Tool to help evidence strengths and plan next steps within the 2025 framework.
Download it here:
🔗 open.substack.com/pub/enserm/p...
I’ve shared a practical Subject Leader Self-Audit Tool to help evidence strengths and plan next steps within the 2025 framework.
Download it here:
🔗 open.substack.com/pub/enserm/p...
Reposted by Dr Sarah Comfort
Helpful and free to all...sharing at it's best!
With the new Ofsted toolkit removing deep dives, subject leaders need a new way to consider quality assurance.
I’ve shared a practical Subject Leader Self-Audit Tool to help evidence strengths and plan next steps within the 2025 framework.
Download it here:
🔗 open.substack.com/pub/enserm/p...
I’ve shared a practical Subject Leader Self-Audit Tool to help evidence strengths and plan next steps within the 2025 framework.
Download it here:
🔗 open.substack.com/pub/enserm/p...
Subject Leader Self-Audit Tool
With the new Ofsted inspection toolkit removing subject deep dives, it’s now harder for leaders to demonstrate the quality of education through traditional triangulation.
open.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Helpful and free to all...sharing at it's best!
Reposted by Dr Sarah Comfort
I think it probably behoves us, as science teachers, to have a bit of a handle on the whole double-helix thing.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Was Franklin's work exceptional and essential - yes.
Was it appropriately acknowledged in the Watson & Crick (1953) paper - no.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Was Franklin's work exceptional and essential - yes.
Was it appropriately acknowledged in the Watson & Crick (1953) paper - no.
What Rosalind Franklin truly contributed to the discovery of DNA’s structure
Franklin was no victim in how the DNA double helix was solved. An overlooked letter and an unpublished news article, both written in 1953, reveal that she was an equal player.
www.nature.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:30 AM
I think it probably behoves us, as science teachers, to have a bit of a handle on the whole double-helix thing.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Was Franklin's work exceptional and essential - yes.
Was it appropriately acknowledged in the Watson & Crick (1953) paper - no.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Was Franklin's work exceptional and essential - yes.
Was it appropriately acknowledged in the Watson & Crick (1953) paper - no.
Reposted by Dr Sarah Comfort
*** NEW POST ***
open.substack.com/pub/enserm/p...
Too many lessons are filled with checking what pupils know rather than helping them learn something new.
open.substack.com/pub/enserm/p...
Too many lessons are filled with checking what pupils know rather than helping them learn something new.
Make Time for Learning
When Checking Becomes the Lesson
open.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:18 AM
*** NEW POST ***
open.substack.com/pub/enserm/p...
Too many lessons are filled with checking what pupils know rather than helping them learn something new.
open.substack.com/pub/enserm/p...
Too many lessons are filled with checking what pupils know rather than helping them learn something new.
Reposted by Dr Sarah Comfort
Some people claim that a positive of Sweller's work is that it goes back to the 80s. However, he built this work on the computer metaphor.
Enactive embodied insights were being published in the 70s.
Only now is Sweller pivoting towards biology and yet still retains computer language in CLT.
#EduSky
Enactive embodied insights were being published in the 70s.
Only now is Sweller pivoting towards biology and yet still retains computer language in CLT.
#EduSky
November 5, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Some people claim that a positive of Sweller's work is that it goes back to the 80s. However, he built this work on the computer metaphor.
Enactive embodied insights were being published in the 70s.
Only now is Sweller pivoting towards biology and yet still retains computer language in CLT.
#EduSky
Enactive embodied insights were being published in the 70s.
Only now is Sweller pivoting towards biology and yet still retains computer language in CLT.
#EduSky
Reposted by Dr Sarah Comfort
This year I've been very specific with my classes about what @adamboxereducation.bsky.social calls "Golden Silence."
As in "when you're listening to me I want Golden Silence - it sounds like.."
Or.
"When you begin writing I want Golden Silence," so say if you need help now.
It's a habit I'll keep.
As in "when you're listening to me I want Golden Silence - it sounds like.."
Or.
"When you begin writing I want Golden Silence," so say if you need help now.
It's a habit I'll keep.
November 4, 2025 at 9:46 AM
This year I've been very specific with my classes about what @adamboxereducation.bsky.social calls "Golden Silence."
As in "when you're listening to me I want Golden Silence - it sounds like.."
Or.
"When you begin writing I want Golden Silence," so say if you need help now.
It's a habit I'll keep.
As in "when you're listening to me I want Golden Silence - it sounds like.."
Or.
"When you begin writing I want Golden Silence," so say if you need help now.
It's a habit I'll keep.
Reposted by Dr Sarah Comfort
It's time to move on from the storage and retrieval metaphor of memory. How would teaching change with an enactive view?
● Memory isn't a library, but the traces of what we have enacted.
Which, I think, is compatible with (but more encompassing than) "memory is the residue of thought".
● Memory isn't a library, but the traces of what we have enacted.
Which, I think, is compatible with (but more encompassing than) "memory is the residue of thought".
"On the one hand, memory is not a library of memories, even if they are episodic; on the other, memory is not the memory of information that enters the system ... [but] the traces of what has been enacted by our actions."
www.frontiersin.org/journals/psy...
www.frontiersin.org/journals/psy...
November 3, 2025 at 6:48 AM
It's time to move on from the storage and retrieval metaphor of memory. How would teaching change with an enactive view?
● Memory isn't a library, but the traces of what we have enacted.
Which, I think, is compatible with (but more encompassing than) "memory is the residue of thought".
● Memory isn't a library, but the traces of what we have enacted.
Which, I think, is compatible with (but more encompassing than) "memory is the residue of thought".
Reposted by Dr Sarah Comfort
NEW POST
Almost every school I know has a list of Teaching and Learning or curriculum "non-negotiables." But is that a good term to use in schools?
Please share if you can 🙏🙏
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Almost every school I know has a list of Teaching and Learning or curriculum "non-negotiables." But is that a good term to use in schools?
Please share if you can 🙏🙏
substack.com/home/post/p-...
November 2, 2025 at 6:56 PM
NEW POST
Almost every school I know has a list of Teaching and Learning or curriculum "non-negotiables." But is that a good term to use in schools?
Please share if you can 🙏🙏
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Almost every school I know has a list of Teaching and Learning or curriculum "non-negotiables." But is that a good term to use in schools?
Please share if you can 🙏🙏
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Reposted by Dr Sarah Comfort
Really enjoyed this post about moving on from PowerPoint presentations to finally teach with students:
#EduSky #UKEd #SciTeachUK
abubakarhatimy.substack.com/p/death-by-p...
#EduSky #UKEd #SciTeachUK
abubakarhatimy.substack.com/p/death-by-p...
Death by PowerPoint: Why Science Teaching Needed a Visualiser Revolution
Paraphrasing a small-scale classroom study on exposition and engagement; an origin story in content delivery evolution...
abubakarhatimy.substack.com
November 1, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Really enjoyed this post about moving on from PowerPoint presentations to finally teach with students:
#EduSky #UKEd #SciTeachUK
abubakarhatimy.substack.com/p/death-by-p...
#EduSky #UKEd #SciTeachUK
abubakarhatimy.substack.com/p/death-by-p...
Reposted by Dr Sarah Comfort
NEW POST
We talk a lot about getting better at teaching, but perhaps we don't talk enough about getting worse at teaching.
open.substack.com/pub/adamboxe...
We talk a lot about getting better at teaching, but perhaps we don't talk enough about getting worse at teaching.
open.substack.com/pub/adamboxe...
Getting worse at teaching
We talk a lot about how teachers get better at teaching, but don’t think enough about how teachers can get worse at teaching.
open.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:43 PM
NEW POST
We talk a lot about getting better at teaching, but perhaps we don't talk enough about getting worse at teaching.
open.substack.com/pub/adamboxe...
We talk a lot about getting better at teaching, but perhaps we don't talk enough about getting worse at teaching.
open.substack.com/pub/adamboxe...
Reposted by Dr Sarah Comfort
THE NEW SORROWSCOPES ARE HERE! TELL YOUR FRIENDS. TELL YOUR ENEMIES. TELL THE CLOAKED STRANGER WHO’S CHASING YOU THROUGH THE CATACOMBS.
May 12, 2024 at 6:08 PM
THE NEW SORROWSCOPES ARE HERE! TELL YOUR FRIENDS. TELL YOUR ENEMIES. TELL THE CLOAKED STRANGER WHO’S CHASING YOU THROUGH THE CATACOMBS.
Reposted by Dr Sarah Comfort
How does motivation shape learning and memory? In a new review w @ralisonadcock.bsky.social, we propose that under different motivational ‘moods', neuromodulators set distinct neural contexts to determine information processing and memory formation.
doi.org/10.1146/annu...
#psychscisky #neuroskyence
doi.org/10.1146/annu...
#psychscisky #neuroskyence
Motivation as Neural Context for Adaptive Learning and Memory Formation
Our memories shape our perception of the world and guide adaptive behavior. Rather than a veridical record of experiences, memory is selective. An accumulating body of work suggests that motivational ...
www.annualreviews.org
October 13, 2025 at 4:09 AM
How does motivation shape learning and memory? In a new review w @ralisonadcock.bsky.social, we propose that under different motivational ‘moods', neuromodulators set distinct neural contexts to determine information processing and memory formation.
doi.org/10.1146/annu...
#psychscisky #neuroskyence
doi.org/10.1146/annu...
#psychscisky #neuroskyence
Reposted by Dr Sarah Comfort
You learn better when you test yourself on an answer before you study it? Even more counterintuitive, our findings showcase that there is not one direct mechanism to this effect.
Thank you @charan-neuro.bsky.social , @xiaonanl.bsky.social , and @jameswardantony.bsky.social !
doi.org/10.1037/xlm0...
Thank you @charan-neuro.bsky.social , @xiaonanl.bsky.social , and @jameswardantony.bsky.social !
doi.org/10.1037/xlm0...
APA PsycNet
doi.org
October 7, 2025 at 5:59 PM
You learn better when you test yourself on an answer before you study it? Even more counterintuitive, our findings showcase that there is not one direct mechanism to this effect.
Thank you @charan-neuro.bsky.social , @xiaonanl.bsky.social , and @jameswardantony.bsky.social !
doi.org/10.1037/xlm0...
Thank you @charan-neuro.bsky.social , @xiaonanl.bsky.social , and @jameswardantony.bsky.social !
doi.org/10.1037/xlm0...
Reposted by Dr Sarah Comfort
Very interesting read. Realised I've been doing a lot of (very useful) choral response for one word answers to do nows, by accident
Interesting from @dylanpkane.bsky.social on why he isn’t a fan of Cold Call. I agree with quite a bit of this (particularly praising elementary/ primary teachers!). You should try to use whole class response over Cold Call when you can. substack.com/@fivetwelvet...
Why I'm Not a Fan of Cold Call
It's done badly more often than it's done well
substack.com
September 14, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Very interesting read. Realised I've been doing a lot of (very useful) choral response for one word answers to do nows, by accident
Reposted by Dr Sarah Comfort
I had a great time at #rED25 yesterday.
You can download my slides here. bit.ly/AIhypeRed2025
And if you'd like to read more about how we've integrated human & AI Comparative Judgements, read our latest Substack here.
substack.nomoremarking.com/p/what-is-co...
You can download my slides here. bit.ly/AIhypeRed2025
And if you'd like to read more about how we've integrated human & AI Comparative Judgements, read our latest Substack here.
substack.nomoremarking.com/p/what-is-co...
Dropbox
bit.ly
September 7, 2025 at 8:53 AM
I had a great time at #rED25 yesterday.
You can download my slides here. bit.ly/AIhypeRed2025
And if you'd like to read more about how we've integrated human & AI Comparative Judgements, read our latest Substack here.
substack.nomoremarking.com/p/what-is-co...
You can download my slides here. bit.ly/AIhypeRed2025
And if you'd like to read more about how we've integrated human & AI Comparative Judgements, read our latest Substack here.
substack.nomoremarking.com/p/what-is-co...
Reposted by Dr Sarah Comfort
Great session today, Peps (& Kristina!)
My favourite takeaway - "students with SEND are more sensitive to variations in instructional quality" (or words to that effect) - such an important, simple and powerful message.
My favourite takeaway - "students with SEND are more sensitive to variations in instructional quality" (or words to that effect) - such an important, simple and powerful message.
July 3, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Great session today, Peps (& Kristina!)
My favourite takeaway - "students with SEND are more sensitive to variations in instructional quality" (or words to that effect) - such an important, simple and powerful message.
My favourite takeaway - "students with SEND are more sensitive to variations in instructional quality" (or words to that effect) - such an important, simple and powerful message.
Reposted by Dr Sarah Comfort
New post: Science students don't get experiment variables? Try causal diagrams instead. Link ↴
cmooreanderson.wixsite.com/teachingbiol...
#SciTeachUK #iTeachBio
cmooreanderson.wixsite.com/teachingbiol...
#SciTeachUK #iTeachBio
Science students don't get experiment variables? Try causal diagrams instead
In schools, it is common for students to be tasked with creating lists of variables with peculiar names: independent variable, dependent variable. Teachers often decry the failed efforts in helping st...
cmooreanderson.wixsite.com
September 6, 2025 at 7:10 AM
New post: Science students don't get experiment variables? Try causal diagrams instead. Link ↴
cmooreanderson.wixsite.com/teachingbiol...
#SciTeachUK #iTeachBio
cmooreanderson.wixsite.com/teachingbiol...
#SciTeachUK #iTeachBio
Reposted by Dr Sarah Comfort
@profcoe.bsky.social and Raj Chande at #REd25 There are a *small* number of teachers who we can currently say are statistically (with 95% confidence) better or worse than average for student results… but even the ‘best’ teachers have individual classes who have negative progress, and vice versa!
September 6, 2025 at 9:12 AM
@profcoe.bsky.social and Raj Chande at #REd25 There are a *small* number of teachers who we can currently say are statistically (with 95% confidence) better or worse than average for student results… but even the ‘best’ teachers have individual classes who have negative progress, and vice versa!
Reposted by Dr Sarah Comfort
Slides from my #rED25 talk are available at profcoe.net/talks
ProfCoe
Assessment
Evaluation
Evidence
profcoe.net
September 6, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Slides from my #rED25 talk are available at profcoe.net/talks
Reposted by Dr Sarah Comfort
Great day at #rED25 - sessions from @beckyfrancis.bsky.social, @daisychristo.bsky.social, @chrisfountain.bsky.social and @dougobrien.bsky.social. It is always a delight seeing educators sharing their knowledge (on a Saturday no less) - brings such energy to the start of term.
September 6, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Great day at #rED25 - sessions from @beckyfrancis.bsky.social, @daisychristo.bsky.social, @chrisfountain.bsky.social and @dougobrien.bsky.social. It is always a delight seeing educators sharing their knowledge (on a Saturday no less) - brings such energy to the start of term.
Great talk at #rED by @misscrofts.bsky.social today. We have worked hard to produce booklets to reduce teacher workload and improve consistency e.g. FIFA but haven’t included consistency of language around command words. Loads of really excellent ideas from this talk! Excited to get started!
September 6, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Great talk at #rED by @misscrofts.bsky.social today. We have worked hard to produce booklets to reduce teacher workload and improve consistency e.g. FIFA but haven’t included consistency of language around command words. Loads of really excellent ideas from this talk! Excited to get started!
On the train home reading the book I won in @johntomsett.bsky.social ‘s talk #rED25 I think a lot of us forget that teaching with enthusiasm is so key to students’ learning! It’s not a lesson feedback I’d naturally give! (Confess I skipped straight to the science teacher but I will go back)
September 6, 2025 at 4:36 PM
On the train home reading the book I won in @johntomsett.bsky.social ‘s talk #rED25 I think a lot of us forget that teaching with enthusiasm is so key to students’ learning! It’s not a lesson feedback I’d naturally give! (Confess I skipped straight to the science teacher but I will go back)