DamsonEd
@damsoned.bsky.social
Dr Megan Dixon: teacher, leader and researcher. PhD, Psychology. All things education and research - literacy, English, research into practice, curriculum, SEND. TES writer. Based in the UK. https://meganjanedixon.co.uk
Pinned
DamsonEd
@damsoned.bsky.social
· May 8
What schools are doing to tackle the speech and language ‘crisis’
The number of children with speech and language challenges is soaring. And not all of these pupils have SEND. Experts tell Ellen Peirson-Hagger how in-school intervention is possible - and highly effe...
www.tes.com
On the back of this article- a thread of useful places for schools/teachers who are interested in finding out more… as I say, this has been a serious issue for a long time… it would be powerful to get a serious handle on it (with obvious impact on ed outcomes).
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
Reposted by DamsonEd
Catch me at about 39 minutes talking about the inquiry, things that have changed for next time and how to live alongside the risks of a pandemic (without fear)
Good Morning Scotland - 22/11/2025 - BBC Sounds
The latest news from home and abroad, along with sport, travel and weather updates.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Catch me at about 39 minutes talking about the inquiry, things that have changed for next time and how to live alongside the risks of a pandemic (without fear)
Reposted by DamsonEd
He was Prime Minister!
Can you imagine leaders in other public sectors being able to just say, "I did my best," and expect that to make it all ok?
Headteachers telling Ofsted, "Well, I'm doing my best, so why should I be held to account?"
Can you imagine leaders in other public sectors being able to just say, "I did my best," and expect that to make it all ok?
Headteachers telling Ofsted, "Well, I'm doing my best, so why should I be held to account?"
Rachael Johnson: "Boris did his best".
Only because his best has always been fucking awful.
Let's consider Boris Johnson, a moral man and a great politician: I'd love to talk about all three of them, but I only have space for Boris.
Only because his best has always been fucking awful.
Let's consider Boris Johnson, a moral man and a great politician: I'd love to talk about all three of them, but I only have space for Boris.
November 22, 2025 at 6:53 AM
He was Prime Minister!
Can you imagine leaders in other public sectors being able to just say, "I did my best," and expect that to make it all ok?
Headteachers telling Ofsted, "Well, I'm doing my best, so why should I be held to account?"
Can you imagine leaders in other public sectors being able to just say, "I did my best," and expect that to make it all ok?
Headteachers telling Ofsted, "Well, I'm doing my best, so why should I be held to account?"
Reposted by DamsonEd
And the article doesn't give voice to any of the leaders of the "hostile" schools (probably quite a few women).
November 22, 2025 at 1:40 PM
And the article doesn't give voice to any of the leaders of the "hostile" schools (probably quite a few women).
Reposted by DamsonEd
‘ I thought it would last my time -
The sense that, beyond the town,
There would always be fields and farms,
Where the village louts could climb
Such trees as were not cut down;
….’
📚 Philip Larkin, Going Going
🖼️ David Hockney, Woldgate Woods
#BookWormSat #poetry #rurality
The sense that, beyond the town,
There would always be fields and farms,
Where the village louts could climb
Such trees as were not cut down;
….’
📚 Philip Larkin, Going Going
🖼️ David Hockney, Woldgate Woods
#BookWormSat #poetry #rurality
November 22, 2025 at 9:14 AM
‘ I thought it would last my time -
The sense that, beyond the town,
There would always be fields and farms,
Where the village louts could climb
Such trees as were not cut down;
….’
📚 Philip Larkin, Going Going
🖼️ David Hockney, Woldgate Woods
#BookWormSat #poetry #rurality
The sense that, beyond the town,
There would always be fields and farms,
Where the village louts could climb
Such trees as were not cut down;
….’
📚 Philip Larkin, Going Going
🖼️ David Hockney, Woldgate Woods
#BookWormSat #poetry #rurality
Reposted by DamsonEd
If you missed @therestpolitics.bsky.social emergency episode on Covid inquiry yesterday here it is. @rory-stewart.bsky.social called it right at the time and Johnson,
Cummings and Co should not be allowed near a serious job ever again
alastaircampbell.org/2025/11/471-...
Cummings and Co should not be allowed near a serious job ever again
alastaircampbell.org/2025/11/471-...
471. Rory Stewart: Why the Government Tried to Silence Me on Lockdowns - Alastair Campbell
Why did Boris Johnson and the British government not only fail to listen, but actively try to suppress early warnings about the pandemic? How did groupthink and optimism bias cripple the UK’s response...
alastaircampbell.org
November 22, 2025 at 6:46 AM
If you missed @therestpolitics.bsky.social emergency episode on Covid inquiry yesterday here it is. @rory-stewart.bsky.social called it right at the time and Johnson,
Cummings and Co should not be allowed near a serious job ever again
alastaircampbell.org/2025/11/471-...
Cummings and Co should not be allowed near a serious job ever again
alastaircampbell.org/2025/11/471-...
Reposted by DamsonEd
The NHS would literally collapse if this mindless anti-migrant bashing continues.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Up to 50,000 nurses could quit UK over immigration plans, survey suggests
Exclusive: union leaders say proposed changes are immoral and could threaten patient safety if there is staff exodus
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:01 AM
The NHS would literally collapse if this mindless anti-migrant bashing continues.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by DamsonEd
Night night sweet dreamies
I have deep respect for people with pure hearts and good intentions.
It’s rare to find someone who’s genuinely kind, so if you’re lucky enough to have one in your life, keep them close.
People like that are worth holding on to
I have deep respect for people with pure hearts and good intentions.
It’s rare to find someone who’s genuinely kind, so if you’re lucky enough to have one in your life, keep them close.
People like that are worth holding on to
November 21, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Night night sweet dreamies
I have deep respect for people with pure hearts and good intentions.
It’s rare to find someone who’s genuinely kind, so if you’re lucky enough to have one in your life, keep them close.
People like that are worth holding on to
I have deep respect for people with pure hearts and good intentions.
It’s rare to find someone who’s genuinely kind, so if you’re lucky enough to have one in your life, keep them close.
People like that are worth holding on to
Reposted by DamsonEd
Lazy terminology from DFE here. ‘SEND’ classes? Cc @bennewmark.bsky.social
This is baffling. In pretty much every primary school now, *every* class is a SEND class. Do I need a TA from every class to agree to staff breakfast club. Do they get a choice? What about their own morning responsibilities?
November 21, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Lazy terminology from DFE here. ‘SEND’ classes? Cc @bennewmark.bsky.social
Yet another article which only draws on the opinion of one woman (and she is talking about Reception).
I wonder if anyone is noticing how invisible women are in the reporting of the education sector.
schoolsweek.co.uk/rise-adviser...
I wonder if anyone is noticing how invisible women are in the reporting of the education sector.
schoolsweek.co.uk/rise-adviser...
RISE advisers reveal ‘hostility’ from ‘stuck’ schools
Leaders recruited to the government’s RISE improvement programme have faced 'hostility'
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Yet another article which only draws on the opinion of one woman (and she is talking about Reception).
I wonder if anyone is noticing how invisible women are in the reporting of the education sector.
schoolsweek.co.uk/rise-adviser...
I wonder if anyone is noticing how invisible women are in the reporting of the education sector.
schoolsweek.co.uk/rise-adviser...
Reposted by DamsonEd
'a fragmented approach, a lack of accountability with regard
to advice (eg on ‘behavioural fatigue’), under-utilisation of SPI-B...
the expertise of SPI-B and government behavioural science teams ought to be drawn upon in pandemic planning'
UK #CovidInquiry
covid19.public-inquiry.uk/reports/
to advice (eg on ‘behavioural fatigue’), under-utilisation of SPI-B...
the expertise of SPI-B and government behavioural science teams ought to be drawn upon in pandemic planning'
UK #CovidInquiry
covid19.public-inquiry.uk/reports/
November 21, 2025 at 11:29 AM
'a fragmented approach, a lack of accountability with regard
to advice (eg on ‘behavioural fatigue’), under-utilisation of SPI-B...
the expertise of SPI-B and government behavioural science teams ought to be drawn upon in pandemic planning'
UK #CovidInquiry
covid19.public-inquiry.uk/reports/
to advice (eg on ‘behavioural fatigue’), under-utilisation of SPI-B...
the expertise of SPI-B and government behavioural science teams ought to be drawn upon in pandemic planning'
UK #CovidInquiry
covid19.public-inquiry.uk/reports/
Reposted by DamsonEd
Some food for thought…
November 21, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Some food for thought…
Reposted by DamsonEd
Extraordinary, when you think about it, that anyone could look at former *head of communications for Theresa May* Robbie Gibb & think ‘now that’s exactly the skillset we need a slice of’.
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
BBC board member quits after being ‘cut out’ of talks over liberal bias claims
Shumeet Banerji was away during crucial discussions that led to resignation of director general and BBC News chief
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Extraordinary, when you think about it, that anyone could look at former *head of communications for Theresa May* Robbie Gibb & think ‘now that’s exactly the skillset we need a slice of’.
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Reposted by DamsonEd
Walter de Staplecat, Simpkin IV, Teabag, Balthasar and Benny D Cat take the stage as we meet the college cats of Oxford. And, of course, Magdalen’s Ozymandias. Read on for our photo special. (Includes a cat map.) oxfordclarion.uk/college-cats...
College cats of Oxford
Once upon a time, we featured an image of Magdalen's kitten, Ozymandias, in our newsletter. We figured it might be a gentle contrast to our regular diet of planning and local politics.
The grey ball ...
oxfordclarion.uk
November 20, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Walter de Staplecat, Simpkin IV, Teabag, Balthasar and Benny D Cat take the stage as we meet the college cats of Oxford. And, of course, Magdalen’s Ozymandias. Read on for our photo special. (Includes a cat map.) oxfordclarion.uk/college-cats...
Reposted by DamsonEd
Special schools largely went unmentioned in the govt’s curriculum reforms - despite the huge pressures facing the SEND system and the wealth of knowledge shared by those teaching SEND pupils.
@johngroberts.bsky.social digs into why this is such a problem:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@johngroberts.bsky.social digs into why this is such a problem:
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 4:34 PM
Special schools largely went unmentioned in the govt’s curriculum reforms - despite the huge pressures facing the SEND system and the wealth of knowledge shared by those teaching SEND pupils.
@johngroberts.bsky.social digs into why this is such a problem:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@johngroberts.bsky.social digs into why this is such a problem:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by DamsonEd
This shows why Government must leave a positive legacy for children with #SEND, including the 900,000 with lifelong speech and language challenges.
Urge them to act now >> speechandlanguage.eaction.org.uk/transforming...
Urge them to act now >> speechandlanguage.eaction.org.uk/transforming...
www.itv.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:42 PM
This shows why Government must leave a positive legacy for children with #SEND, including the 900,000 with lifelong speech and language challenges.
Urge them to act now >> speechandlanguage.eaction.org.uk/transforming...
Urge them to act now >> speechandlanguage.eaction.org.uk/transforming...
This… it doesn’t make sense to me why these teachers were treated differently from others who come from the EU, US and Canada…
bsky.app/profile/warw...
bsky.app/profile/warw...
New: Government makes significant concession to overseas-trained teachers, as recruits from six countries are given fast-track access to Qualified Teacher Status, after 12 months' teaching here.
educationuncovered.co.uk/news/governm...
educationuncovered.co.uk/news/governm...
Education Uncovered | News| Government makes significant concession to overseas-trained teachers, as recruits from six countries are given fast-track access to Qualified Teacher Status
Move follows coverage in Observer last year of conditions facing Jamaican recruits to Harris Federation schools
educationuncovered.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 2:50 PM
This… it doesn’t make sense to me why these teachers were treated differently from others who come from the EU, US and Canada…
bsky.app/profile/warw...
bsky.app/profile/warw...
Reposted by DamsonEd
It means teachers from these countries are now treated in the same way as those from others including the EU, US and Canada have been. NEU highlighting the change as a result of campaigning.
November 21, 2025 at 2:34 PM
It means teachers from these countries are now treated in the same way as those from others including the EU, US and Canada have been. NEU highlighting the change as a result of campaigning.
Reposted by DamsonEd
New: Government makes significant concession to overseas-trained teachers, as recruits from six countries are given fast-track access to Qualified Teacher Status, after 12 months' teaching here.
educationuncovered.co.uk/news/governm...
educationuncovered.co.uk/news/governm...
Education Uncovered | News| Government makes significant concession to overseas-trained teachers, as recruits from six countries are given fast-track access to Qualified Teacher Status
Move follows coverage in Observer last year of conditions facing Jamaican recruits to Harris Federation schools
educationuncovered.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 2:33 PM
New: Government makes significant concession to overseas-trained teachers, as recruits from six countries are given fast-track access to Qualified Teacher Status, after 12 months' teaching here.
educationuncovered.co.uk/news/governm...
educationuncovered.co.uk/news/governm...
Reposted by DamsonEd
Yep ime these resources bases can be the opposite of inclusion. Instead they are just a holding pen and they dont meet needs or provide those children with appropriate education.
November 21, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Yep ime these resources bases can be the opposite of inclusion. Instead they are just a holding pen and they dont meet needs or provide those children with appropriate education.
Reposted by DamsonEd
Teachers on mat leave get 22 weeks less full pay than many other public sector workers - including DfE officials.
What effect does this have on retention, and is it likely to improve? Important article by @cerysturner.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
What effect does this have on retention, and is it likely to improve? Important article by @cerysturner.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Why do teachers get such a bad deal on maternity pay?
With women making up the vast majority of the workforce, could better maternity leave pay help tackle the teacher retention crisis?
www.tes.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Teachers on mat leave get 22 weeks less full pay than many other public sector workers - including DfE officials.
What effect does this have on retention, and is it likely to improve? Important article by @cerysturner.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
What effect does this have on retention, and is it likely to improve? Important article by @cerysturner.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
School leaders have questioned whether resourced provision leads to a more inclusive system and warned of ‘exclusion in its worst sense’
SEND: Resource bases ‘can be exclusion in its worst sense’
Mainstream and AP leaders question the government’s focus on resourced provision and SEN units in its drive to create a more inclusive school system
www.tes.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Reposted by DamsonEd
A short thread with my thoughts on breakfast clubs. 🧵
It has always been difficult to make wraparound care financially sustainable because of the ratios needed versus the likely/potential take up. It's not just about having the space to do it or about when the school is technically 'open'. 1/4
It has always been difficult to make wraparound care financially sustainable because of the ratios needed versus the likely/potential take up. It's not just about having the space to do it or about when the school is technically 'open'. 1/4
November 21, 2025 at 7:40 AM
A short thread with my thoughts on breakfast clubs. 🧵
It has always been difficult to make wraparound care financially sustainable because of the ratios needed versus the likely/potential take up. It's not just about having the space to do it or about when the school is technically 'open'. 1/4
It has always been difficult to make wraparound care financially sustainable because of the ratios needed versus the likely/potential take up. It's not just about having the space to do it or about when the school is technically 'open'. 1/4
Reposted by DamsonEd
In my little primary school I’m head, DSL and Senco so I guess I’ll be on breakfast club rota daily. Give me strength!
After I’ve got my own kids sorted for school and college obvs.
Going to feel like I’ve done a full days work by 10am.
After I’ve got my own kids sorted for school and college obvs.
Going to feel like I’ve done a full days work by 10am.
November 21, 2025 at 7:52 AM
In my little primary school I’m head, DSL and Senco so I guess I’ll be on breakfast club rota daily. Give me strength!
After I’ve got my own kids sorted for school and college obvs.
Going to feel like I’ve done a full days work by 10am.
After I’ve got my own kids sorted for school and college obvs.
Going to feel like I’ve done a full days work by 10am.
Reposted by DamsonEd
Insightful thread.
Alarming how little understanding of how schools operate this dfe advice shows.
Spat tea at "the SENCO on site and contactable" as if busiest people in school calmly sitting in their offices browsing clothes on the internet just waiting to come and resolve the odd little issue.
Alarming how little understanding of how schools operate this dfe advice shows.
Spat tea at "the SENCO on site and contactable" as if busiest people in school calmly sitting in their offices browsing clothes on the internet just waiting to come and resolve the odd little issue.
This has been my worry all along with the breakfast club nonsense. You can talk about funding all you like, the long and the short of it is that school leaders end up with another job on the list, another extension to their working day, and the job becomes ever harder...
And this is from DfE advice!
And this is from DfE advice!
November 21, 2025 at 7:31 AM
Insightful thread.
Alarming how little understanding of how schools operate this dfe advice shows.
Spat tea at "the SENCO on site and contactable" as if busiest people in school calmly sitting in their offices browsing clothes on the internet just waiting to come and resolve the odd little issue.
Alarming how little understanding of how schools operate this dfe advice shows.
Spat tea at "the SENCO on site and contactable" as if busiest people in school calmly sitting in their offices browsing clothes on the internet just waiting to come and resolve the odd little issue.