A Poor Player
@apoorplayer.bsky.social
English teacher, HOD, in the state sector. Probably fulfilling many associated stereotypes.
I think I have finally found a helpful use of ChatGPT and its ilk.
I get it to create substandard work (eg sentences without correct punctuation, description that is inconsistent in tone and mood) so my class can correct and improve it - without publicly injuring any individual.
I get it to create substandard work (eg sentences without correct punctuation, description that is inconsistent in tone and mood) so my class can correct and improve it - without publicly injuring any individual.
November 10, 2025 at 8:17 PM
I think I have finally found a helpful use of ChatGPT and its ilk.
I get it to create substandard work (eg sentences without correct punctuation, description that is inconsistent in tone and mood) so my class can correct and improve it - without publicly injuring any individual.
I get it to create substandard work (eg sentences without correct punctuation, description that is inconsistent in tone and mood) so my class can correct and improve it - without publicly injuring any individual.
It's nice to realise your parents have evolving ethics: my Dad used to donate to the RNLI but no longer does because of published issues about sexism. He does however donate to Wikipedia.
November 7, 2025 at 6:54 PM
It's nice to realise your parents have evolving ethics: my Dad used to donate to the RNLI but no longer does because of published issues about sexism. He does however donate to Wikipedia.
I understand that lots of people in teaching like to moan about things. But it's very frustrating when your 'moan' is an actual issue - for which you have suggested a couple of viable solutions - and people still aren't interested.
November 6, 2025 at 8:13 PM
I understand that lots of people in teaching like to moan about things. But it's very frustrating when your 'moan' is an actual issue - for which you have suggested a couple of viable solutions - and people still aren't interested.
I enjoyed @manchestermill.bsky.social on BBC in Salford but I would have been interested to know - of those who moved up, how many were actually Londoners/from the south east?
It strikes me that lots of people move down for work (as I did) so coming back up less of an issue?
It strikes me that lots of people move down for work (as I did) so coming back up less of an issue?
November 6, 2025 at 8:11 PM
I enjoyed @manchestermill.bsky.social on BBC in Salford but I would have been interested to know - of those who moved up, how many were actually Londoners/from the south east?
It strikes me that lots of people move down for work (as I did) so coming back up less of an issue?
It strikes me that lots of people move down for work (as I did) so coming back up less of an issue?
Shetland is absolutely what one needs for the November evenings.
November 6, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Shetland is absolutely what one needs for the November evenings.
Reposted by A Poor Player
I mean, I see what they mean, but the "in the entire 204-year-old history of this publication, only 15 zero-star reviews have ever been written" is a tad misleading. As if early 19thC Guardian writers were penning "the Manchester Guardian gives Lord Liverpool's new Corn Laws ZERO STARS" articles.
November 5, 2025 at 5:16 PM
I mean, I see what they mean, but the "in the entire 204-year-old history of this publication, only 15 zero-star reviews have ever been written" is a tad misleading. As if early 19thC Guardian writers were penning "the Manchester Guardian gives Lord Liverpool's new Corn Laws ZERO STARS" articles.
Curriculum planning, especially for medium term units of work, is odd isn't it? You look at it, you have ideas, you make some notes, it seems scrawly and shapeless and then suddenly, after more thinking and scribbling, it suddenly coalesces into something solid.
November 5, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Curriculum planning, especially for medium term units of work, is odd isn't it? You look at it, you have ideas, you make some notes, it seems scrawly and shapeless and then suddenly, after more thinking and scribbling, it suddenly coalesces into something solid.
Reposted by A Poor Player
Superb use of ‘other’
youtu.be/MDUeO4lRhu4?...
youtu.be/MDUeO4lRhu4?...
Stewart Lee on Prince Andrew 🧸 | Stewart Lee: Basic Lee | Royal Family Clip
YouTube video by Sky TV
youtu.be
November 2, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Superb use of ‘other’
youtu.be/MDUeO4lRhu4?...
youtu.be/MDUeO4lRhu4?...
Reposted by A Poor Player
"I have had six landlords, nine flatmates, [and] two section 21 eviction notices....It is the first moment in my lifetime that I am aware of a piece of legislation materially impacting my life in a positive way. I think this is what enfranchisement is supposed to feel like."
The Renters' Rights Act may be the first law to improve my life
Labour should make more of a fuss of these long overdue reforms
www.newstatesman.com
November 1, 2025 at 12:38 PM
"I have had six landlords, nine flatmates, [and] two section 21 eviction notices....It is the first moment in my lifetime that I am aware of a piece of legislation materially impacting my life in a positive way. I think this is what enfranchisement is supposed to feel like."
One of those doubles takes for Brits posts.
This right here, this exact sentence, is THE problem in American political journalism.
The IRA *was* cheap energy and good jobs! That was the whole bill! Democrats did precisely what political pundits are telling them to do and the pundits just ignore it.
The IRA *was* cheap energy and good jobs! That was the whole bill! Democrats did precisely what political pundits are telling them to do and the pundits just ignore it.
November 1, 2025 at 12:37 PM
One of those doubles takes for Brits posts.
I remain unconvinced by the reading tests - funding schools to actual run reading intervention seems like a better move but, oh well, that involves money. Equally I wonder if EdSec has considered *why* some schs run more extra curricular than others...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Bridget Phillipson ‘ready to take on unions’ over year 8 reading tests
Education secretary says mandatory test needed to tackle ‘shocking outcomes’ for many working-class children
www.theguardian.com
November 1, 2025 at 10:04 AM
I remain unconvinced by the reading tests - funding schools to actual run reading intervention seems like a better move but, oh well, that involves money. Equally I wonder if EdSec has considered *why* some schs run more extra curricular than others...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by A Poor Player
Wherever we looked for the prominent flaggers and leaders of this movement, we found people smugglers and sex doll salesmen, people with dubious criminal pasts and people willing to put in a good word for Adolf Hitler.
manchestermill.co.uk/the-men-who-...
manchestermill.co.uk/the-men-who-...
The men who raised the flags
Nigel Farage says this summer’s movement was led by ‘ordinary people’ expressing their patriotism. That’s not what we found
manchestermill.co.uk
November 1, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Wherever we looked for the prominent flaggers and leaders of this movement, we found people smugglers and sex doll salesmen, people with dubious criminal pasts and people willing to put in a good word for Adolf Hitler.
manchestermill.co.uk/the-men-who-...
manchestermill.co.uk/the-men-who-...
People wang on about the difficulty in getting a perfectly ripe avocado but really that's child's play compared to the pear.
October 31, 2025 at 8:55 AM
People wang on about the difficulty in getting a perfectly ripe avocado but really that's child's play compared to the pear.
Reposted by A Poor Player
In my dreams, I live the life of Bradley Whitford's first Gentleman.
CJ AND JOSH ARE PRESIDENT AND FIRST GENTLEMAN.
Perfect casting.
Perfect casting.
October 29, 2025 at 7:05 PM
In my dreams, I live the life of Bradley Whitford's first Gentleman.
I know this is not the main point at all but poor Tolkien. So many horrible, mad people, keen on twisting his stories for their own malign purposes.
Elon Musk: "It is time for the English to ally with the hard men, like Tommy Robinson, and fight for their survival or they shall surely all die" 29th October 2025. 2 million views in its first hour.
October 29, 2025 at 10:19 AM
I know this is not the main point at all but poor Tolkien. So many horrible, mad people, keen on twisting his stories for their own malign purposes.
Is there a point to mosquitoes? Other than creating misery? Cos, quite frankly, fuck em.
October 29, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Is there a point to mosquitoes? Other than creating misery? Cos, quite frankly, fuck em.
Reposted by A Poor Player
Literally one of the greatest soft power brands on planet earth driven into the ground by successive British governments that embrace failure, decline and irrelevance.
on.ft.com/3Wq1XIT
on.ft.com/3Wq1XIT
British Council ‘selling everything it can’ to survive
Cultural body plans more job cuts, sale of assets and closure in 35 countries to stave off ‘financial peril’
on.ft.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Literally one of the greatest soft power brands on planet earth driven into the ground by successive British governments that embrace failure, decline and irrelevance.
on.ft.com/3Wq1XIT
on.ft.com/3Wq1XIT
Being so attractive to mosquitoes is a public service and should be recognised as such.
October 27, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Being so attractive to mosquitoes is a public service and should be recognised as such.
Reposted by A Poor Player
Forms (Formes) from Jazz, 1947
https://botfrens.com/collections/48/contents/1165526
https://botfrens.com/collections/48/contents/1165526
October 12, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Forms (Formes) from Jazz, 1947
https://botfrens.com/collections/48/contents/1165526
https://botfrens.com/collections/48/contents/1165526
Fish&chips, sausage, peas, champagne.
Happy half term all.
Happy half term all.
October 24, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Fish&chips, sausage, peas, champagne.
Happy half term all.
Happy half term all.
'“Seems," madam? Nay, it is; I know not "seems."'
October 23, 2025 at 6:48 PM
'“Seems," madam? Nay, it is; I know not "seems."'
Reposted by A Poor Player
This week on MY LIFE IN THE PAST. Do you know a history teacher who deserves to be celebrated? Read the story here:
lucyworsley.substack.com/p/help-me-fi...
lucyworsley.substack.com/p/help-me-fi...
October 23, 2025 at 4:57 PM
This week on MY LIFE IN THE PAST. Do you know a history teacher who deserves to be celebrated? Read the story here:
lucyworsley.substack.com/p/help-me-fi...
lucyworsley.substack.com/p/help-me-fi...
Blah blah blah AI is amazing blah blah. But my Microsoft drive still doesn't recognise that a file named Macbeth 10 needs to go after Macbeth 9, not back to the beginning again.
October 23, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Blah blah blah AI is amazing blah blah. But my Microsoft drive still doesn't recognise that a file named Macbeth 10 needs to go after Macbeth 9, not back to the beginning again.
Reposted by A Poor Player
MY FAVORITE FUNNY DYLAN APPEARANCE: there was a mention in one book of some reception where Peter Grant saw Dylan over in the corner and went over to introduce himself. "Hi, I'm Peter Grant, I manage Led Zeppelin."
Dylan: "Hey, I don't go around telling you *my* problems"
Dylan: "Hey, I don't go around telling you *my* problems"
October 22, 2025 at 1:37 PM
MY FAVORITE FUNNY DYLAN APPEARANCE: there was a mention in one book of some reception where Peter Grant saw Dylan over in the corner and went over to introduce himself. "Hi, I'm Peter Grant, I manage Led Zeppelin."
Dylan: "Hey, I don't go around telling you *my* problems"
Dylan: "Hey, I don't go around telling you *my* problems"