Tom Rank
@tomrank.bsky.social
Reflections on literature, education - and other ramblings. Was @literaryconnect in the other place 😀
http://www.literaryconnections.co.uk/
http://www.literaryconnections.co.uk/
Reposted by Tom Rank
Yes he did
Bradford Interchange Station. I heard a rumour this is where Paul Simon wrote Homeward Bound - is that right @imcmillan.bsky.social?
February 12, 2026 at 4:19 PM
Yes he did
Reposted by Tom Rank
Reposted by Tom Rank
“to have a distinct GCSE in Eng Lang & a KS 3 & 4 curriculum…rich in knowledge about language,English teachers…need to be given the guidance & knowledge about language that has been missing…also…freedom to explore language use in creative & analytical ways“
englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/the-fut...
englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/the-fut...
The Future of English Language at KS3 + KS4
What the Curriculum and Assessment review could mean for English Language
englishandmedia.co.uk
February 12, 2026 at 3:54 PM
“to have a distinct GCSE in Eng Lang & a KS 3 & 4 curriculum…rich in knowledge about language,English teachers…need to be given the guidance & knowledge about language that has been missing…also…freedom to explore language use in creative & analytical ways“
englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/the-fut...
englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/the-fut...
Reposted by Tom Rank
I'm not saying Dent is necessarily wrong here and her points are way more balanced than the headline suggests, but...
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Children’s vocabulary shrinking as reading loses out to screen time, says Susie Dent
Exclusive: Countdown lexicographer urges families to read, talk and play word games to help language development
www.theguardian.com
February 12, 2026 at 12:26 PM
I'm not saying Dent is necessarily wrong here and her points are way more balanced than the headline suggests, but...
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Reposted by Tom Rank
Because of this story I can never give signed books to charity and if I buy one which turns out to have an inscription I feel bad for the signatory
February 12, 2026 at 12:45 PM
Because of this story I can never give signed books to charity and if I buy one which turns out to have an inscription I feel bad for the signatory
Reposted by Tom Rank
As someone who naturalised two weeks ago, I can confidently say that the immigration process in the UK is already expensive, humiliating, dehumanising, and inequitable. These proposals seek to make the whole thing worse and crueller at every stage.
If you know anyone who's ever come to the UK to live alongside you, and you'd either miss them if they were gone, or at the very least reckon they deserve to be treated humanely, please put aside some time to fill this in.
Tomorrow is the last day for people living in the UK to complete a govt consultation on particular immigration proposals. Here's my earlier post about it, which includes the links and background information.
Their proposals are cruel bollocks that need to be stopped.
ko-fi.com/post/How-to-...
Their proposals are cruel bollocks that need to be stopped.
ko-fi.com/post/How-to-...
February 12, 2026 at 10:39 AM
As someone who naturalised two weeks ago, I can confidently say that the immigration process in the UK is already expensive, humiliating, dehumanising, and inequitable. These proposals seek to make the whole thing worse and crueller at every stage.
Reposted by Tom Rank
The Government consultation on 'earned settlement' closes at midnight tonight. It takes ~10 minutes to respond to.
www.gov.uk/government/c...
@praxisprojects.bsky.social have a useful resource to help respond to the consultation 👇
www.praxis.org.uk/consultation
www.gov.uk/government/c...
@praxisprojects.bsky.social have a useful resource to help respond to the consultation 👇
www.praxis.org.uk/consultation
Consultation — Praxis for Migrants and Refugees
www.praxis.org.uk
February 12, 2026 at 12:55 PM
The Government consultation on 'earned settlement' closes at midnight tonight. It takes ~10 minutes to respond to.
www.gov.uk/government/c...
@praxisprojects.bsky.social have a useful resource to help respond to the consultation 👇
www.praxis.org.uk/consultation
www.gov.uk/government/c...
@praxisprojects.bsky.social have a useful resource to help respond to the consultation 👇
www.praxis.org.uk/consultation
Reposted by Tom Rank
And sure, the contribution this will make is minimal. But if *every* sector does its bit, then we get somewhere.
And this is not ONLY about building - there are loads of international rail routes you could run more trains *right now* on *existing infra* - if anyone kicked the rail sector to do it!
And this is not ONLY about building - there are loads of international rail routes you could run more trains *right now* on *existing infra* - if anyone kicked the rail sector to do it!
February 12, 2026 at 12:15 PM
And sure, the contribution this will make is minimal. But if *every* sector does its bit, then we get somewhere.
And this is not ONLY about building - there are loads of international rail routes you could run more trains *right now* on *existing infra* - if anyone kicked the rail sector to do it!
And this is not ONLY about building - there are loads of international rail routes you could run more trains *right now* on *existing infra* - if anyone kicked the rail sector to do it!
Reposted by Tom Rank
Worth remembering that the settlement changes can all be made in the immigration rules - so not even an automatic debate and no real power for parliamentarians to stop them. Huge changes to people's live, with very little automatic parliamentary scrutiny.
70 parliamentarians have written to the Home Office saying the settlement proposals are unfair & need a significant rethink
February 12, 2026 at 11:55 AM
Worth remembering that the settlement changes can all be made in the immigration rules - so not even an automatic debate and no real power for parliamentarians to stop them. Huge changes to people's live, with very little automatic parliamentary scrutiny.
Reposted by Tom Rank
I don’t really know what I expect in posting this, but maybe some people see it and can learn from it.
I’ll call it “lessons from an unwilling immigration attorney.”
1/
I’ll call it “lessons from an unwilling immigration attorney.”
1/
February 11, 2026 at 9:56 PM
I don’t really know what I expect in posting this, but maybe some people see it and can learn from it.
I’ll call it “lessons from an unwilling immigration attorney.”
1/
I’ll call it “lessons from an unwilling immigration attorney.”
1/
Reposted by Tom Rank
"15 years of service, sacrifice & loyalty — yet still being told “You do not belong here yet.”
Reminder: Today is the LAST DAY to tell Government what you think of making care workers like Riffat wait 15 years for security. Stop what you're doing and Answer the Earned Settlement consultation NOW.
Reminder: Today is the LAST DAY to tell Government what you think of making care workers like Riffat wait 15 years for security. Stop what you're doing and Answer the Earned Settlement consultation NOW.
'Migrant workers like me aren't here to take, we just want stability'
Writing for The Mirror, care worker Riffat Fahad says new migration laws are
www.mirror.co.uk
February 12, 2026 at 11:48 AM
"15 years of service, sacrifice & loyalty — yet still being told “You do not belong here yet.”
Reminder: Today is the LAST DAY to tell Government what you think of making care workers like Riffat wait 15 years for security. Stop what you're doing and Answer the Earned Settlement consultation NOW.
Reminder: Today is the LAST DAY to tell Government what you think of making care workers like Riffat wait 15 years for security. Stop what you're doing and Answer the Earned Settlement consultation NOW.
Reposted by Tom Rank
The public consultation ends today. I hope the Government will rethink these proposals as a result of opposition from many quarters. Note to "journalists". If they do so, it will be as a result of consultation, not a u-turn.
February 12, 2026 at 11:50 AM
The public consultation ends today. I hope the Government will rethink these proposals as a result of opposition from many quarters. Note to "journalists". If they do so, it will be as a result of consultation, not a u-turn.
Reposted by Tom Rank
70 parliamentarians have written to the Home Office saying the settlement proposals are unfair & need a significant rethink
February 12, 2026 at 11:44 AM
70 parliamentarians have written to the Home Office saying the settlement proposals are unfair & need a significant rethink
Reposted by Tom Rank
Deadline is today - Praxis's guide is excellent, so get your response in
🚨 Just THREE days left to tell the Government what you think of making refugees wait 20 years for safety 🚨
We cannot let these appalling plans go unchallenged.
Follow this guide from Praxis to make sure your voice is heard.
www.praxis.org.uk/consultation
We cannot let these appalling plans go unchallenged.
Follow this guide from Praxis to make sure your voice is heard.
www.praxis.org.uk/consultation
February 12, 2026 at 9:20 AM
Deadline is today - Praxis's guide is excellent, so get your response in
Reposted by Tom Rank
Saw this on LinkedIn. Our immigration system is morally bankrupt and economically ridiculous. Shameful.
February 12, 2026 at 10:54 AM
Saw this on LinkedIn. Our immigration system is morally bankrupt and economically ridiculous. Shameful.
Reposted by Tom Rank
We've got until MIDNIGHT to tell the Government what we think of its 'earned settlement' plans.
These dangerous, racist plans will leave people in decades of limbo. We must fight them in every way we can.
Follow and share this step-by-step guide TODAY:
static1.squarespace.com/static/5d91f...
These dangerous, racist plans will leave people in decades of limbo. We must fight them in every way we can.
Follow and share this step-by-step guide TODAY:
static1.squarespace.com/static/5d91f...
February 12, 2026 at 9:38 AM
We've got until MIDNIGHT to tell the Government what we think of its 'earned settlement' plans.
These dangerous, racist plans will leave people in decades of limbo. We must fight them in every way we can.
Follow and share this step-by-step guide TODAY:
static1.squarespace.com/static/5d91f...
These dangerous, racist plans will leave people in decades of limbo. We must fight them in every way we can.
Follow and share this step-by-step guide TODAY:
static1.squarespace.com/static/5d91f...
Reposted by Tom Rank
Read halfway last night - so, so good - and then decided to stop, pause and give myself time to absorb what I'd read, before picking it up again. A very powerful & moving collection for adults but it also needs to go into every school library and classroom.
So excited! This just arrived in the post - an unexpected gift from my friend Rhiannon who happens to be Luke Wright’s editor. Can’t wait to dive in. Thank you Rhiannon & @lukewrightpoet.bsky.social
February 12, 2026 at 9:38 AM
Read halfway last night - so, so good - and then decided to stop, pause and give myself time to absorb what I'd read, before picking it up again. A very powerful & moving collection for adults but it also needs to go into every school library and classroom.
Reposted by Tom Rank
I can't claim to be 'neutral' on this and I don't think we ever should be. Language like this not only dehumanises individuals and whole groups of people but it paves the way for actions. And in many ways, as speech act theory suggests, language can *be* action.
February 12, 2026 at 7:43 AM
I can't claim to be 'neutral' on this and I don't think we ever should be. Language like this not only dehumanises individuals and whole groups of people but it paves the way for actions. And in many ways, as speech act theory suggests, language can *be* action.
Reposted by Tom Rank
Obviously zero reflection in any of this on how operating the largest empire in human history may have turned us into a multicultural nation. We are here because you were there. #Empireland
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
PM asks Sir Jim Ratcliffe to apologise for saying UK 'colonised by immigrants'
Sir Keir Starmer says comments by the businessman and Manchester United co-owner are
www.bbc.co.uk
February 12, 2026 at 8:13 AM
Obviously zero reflection in any of this on how operating the largest empire in human history may have turned us into a multicultural nation. We are here because you were there. #Empireland
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Tom Rank
Seems we’ve still not got our heads round the fundamental role information plays in today’s security and geopolitics
www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...
www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...
BBC World Service faces funding cliff edge in seven weeks, says Tim Davie
As trust in Russia and China’s state broadcasters grows, director general warns of the dangers of cutting back the service
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:26 PM
Seems we’ve still not got our heads round the fundamental role information plays in today’s security and geopolitics
www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...
www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...
"William Wolfe, the founder of the Center for Baptist Leadership, tweeted last week that Jesus “would support ICE and mass deportations,” adding, “If we want to save Western Civilization, we must become immune to the tears of liberal women,” who supposedly have too much empathy for immigrants." 😮
A smattering of evangelicals condemned Trump's racist Obama video.
But don't be fooled. Upholding white supremacy is the backbone of the Christian right.
They will never leave him. They just want him to be slightly more coded about racism.
www.salon.com/2026/02/11/e...
But don't be fooled. Upholding white supremacy is the backbone of the Christian right.
They will never leave him. They just want him to be slightly more coded about racism.
www.salon.com/2026/02/11/e...
Evangelicals won't dump Trump over his racist Obama video
A few spoke out, but most right-wing Christians quietly support the president's ugly views
www.salon.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:11 PM
"William Wolfe, the founder of the Center for Baptist Leadership, tweeted last week that Jesus “would support ICE and mass deportations,” adding, “If we want to save Western Civilization, we must become immune to the tears of liberal women,” who supposedly have too much empathy for immigrants." 😮
Reposted by Tom Rank
#EnglishCreates: Futures
We are thrilled to share today's blog by Caroline Lucas, Britain’s first Green MP:
'Literature is the way we exercise the muscle of the imagination... And unless we can imagine a greener, fairer world, we’ll struggle to achieve it.'
universityenglish.ac.uk/englishcreat...
We are thrilled to share today's blog by Caroline Lucas, Britain’s first Green MP:
'Literature is the way we exercise the muscle of the imagination... And unless we can imagine a greener, fairer world, we’ll struggle to achieve it.'
universityenglish.ac.uk/englishcreat...
February 11, 2026 at 10:11 AM
#EnglishCreates: Futures
We are thrilled to share today's blog by Caroline Lucas, Britain’s first Green MP:
'Literature is the way we exercise the muscle of the imagination... And unless we can imagine a greener, fairer world, we’ll struggle to achieve it.'
universityenglish.ac.uk/englishcreat...
We are thrilled to share today's blog by Caroline Lucas, Britain’s first Green MP:
'Literature is the way we exercise the muscle of the imagination... And unless we can imagine a greener, fairer world, we’ll struggle to achieve it.'
universityenglish.ac.uk/englishcreat...
Reposted by Tom Rank
Under Starmer, recognised refugees can no longer reunite with their children.
Recognised refugees.
Denied the right to reunite with their children.
It’s diabolical. Worse than anything the Tories did. & no, the racists are not & never will be satisfied.
So yes, he’s hated.
Recognised refugees.
Denied the right to reunite with their children.
It’s diabolical. Worse than anything the Tories did. & no, the racists are not & never will be satisfied.
So yes, he’s hated.
What these “but why do people hate Starmer SO MUCH” takes come down to is so shallow.
Starmer doesn’t sound or look like a firebrand so what’s the big deal?
Immune to questions of SUBSTANCE - he’s liar, enabled a genocide, pandered to anti-migrant politics & global Fascism.
Starmer doesn’t sound or look like a firebrand so what’s the big deal?
Immune to questions of SUBSTANCE - he’s liar, enabled a genocide, pandered to anti-migrant politics & global Fascism.
February 11, 2026 at 8:22 AM
Under Starmer, recognised refugees can no longer reunite with their children.
Recognised refugees.
Denied the right to reunite with their children.
It’s diabolical. Worse than anything the Tories did. & no, the racists are not & never will be satisfied.
So yes, he’s hated.
Recognised refugees.
Denied the right to reunite with their children.
It’s diabolical. Worse than anything the Tories did. & no, the racists are not & never will be satisfied.
So yes, he’s hated.
Reposted by Tom Rank
It would be nice to think that while the curriculum is being written, ideas from people who have taught the subject for decades, have examined tens of thousands of students, trained hundreds of teachers, written articles and resources and organised some of the best conferences might get a look-in!
February 11, 2026 at 11:34 AM
It would be nice to think that while the curriculum is being written, ideas from people who have taught the subject for decades, have examined tens of thousands of students, trained hundreds of teachers, written articles and resources and organised some of the best conferences might get a look-in!