Dani Hall
@danigov.bsky.social
Part-time doctoral researcher (focus on school governance) at the University of Reading.
Also here as @academicgifts.bsky.social.
Also here as @academicgifts.bsky.social.
Pinned
Dani Hall
@danigov.bsky.social
· Sep 20
I’ve set up a new account because @academicgifts.bsky.social had too many hats. Follow me here if you are interested in sharing thoughts and ideas about school governance, academia and education. Or even better feel free to follow both of me!
Reposted by Dani Hall
It's #buyastrangerabook day.
To celebrate Bluesky being back online I'll give out a book.
FOR FREE.
If there's one you'd like, let me know what it is.
Also, if you'd like to #BuyAStrangerABook too, let me know.
Here's what it's all about.
www.biggreenbookshop.com/stuff-you-mi...
UK only
To celebrate Bluesky being back online I'll give out a book.
FOR FREE.
If there's one you'd like, let me know what it is.
Also, if you'd like to #BuyAStrangerABook too, let me know.
Here's what it's all about.
www.biggreenbookshop.com/stuff-you-mi...
UK only
October 15, 2025 at 6:07 PM
It's #buyastrangerabook day.
To celebrate Bluesky being back online I'll give out a book.
FOR FREE.
If there's one you'd like, let me know what it is.
Also, if you'd like to #BuyAStrangerABook too, let me know.
Here's what it's all about.
www.biggreenbookshop.com/stuff-you-mi...
UK only
To celebrate Bluesky being back online I'll give out a book.
FOR FREE.
If there's one you'd like, let me know what it is.
Also, if you'd like to #BuyAStrangerABook too, let me know.
Here's what it's all about.
www.biggreenbookshop.com/stuff-you-mi...
UK only
Reposted by Dani Hall
This is the first time in 15 years that I'm running Ada Lovelace Day without also putting on a big event in London, and I have to admit, it feels kinda weird.
If you have a minute, please share a story of your favourite woman in STEM with the hashtag #ALD25.
If you have a minute, please share a story of your favourite woman in STEM with the hashtag #ALD25.
Ada Lovelace Day has begun! As midnight arrives on Kiritimati Island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, our global celebration of women in science, technology, engineering and maths begins! Join us in celebrating by posting about your fave women in STEM #ALD25!
October 13, 2025 at 10:04 AM
This is the first time in 15 years that I'm running Ada Lovelace Day without also putting on a big event in London, and I have to admit, it feels kinda weird.
If you have a minute, please share a story of your favourite woman in STEM with the hashtag #ALD25.
If you have a minute, please share a story of your favourite woman in STEM with the hashtag #ALD25.
Reposted by Dani Hall
Autumn days when the grass is jewelled
![[Scene is a 1960s suburban sitting room, with a grand piano in it. The religious songwriter ESTELLE WHITE is sat at the piano, with a rotary phone sat on top of the lid. She is on the phone to her music publisher, someone I've made up called JERRY]
1
ESTELLE WHITE:
OK Jerry
I’ve got another banger for you
2
ESTELLE WHITE:
Listen to this!
[She slams the receiver on the top of the piano].
3
ESTELLE WHITE [hammering on the piano]:
AUTUMN DAYS WHEN THE GRASS IS JEWELLED
AND THE SILK INSIDE A CHESTNUT SHELL!
JET PLANES MEETING IN THE AIR TO BE REFUELLED, ALL THESE -
JERRY [voice from the phone handset]:
Eh?
4
JERRY:
What was that last bit, Estelle?
ESTELLE WHITE:
“Jet planes meeting in the air to be refuelled”…
5
JERRY:
Is that a thing you often see in autumn?
ESTELLE WHITE [Smoking from a long cigarette holder]:
All the time, Jerry. Aaaaall the time....
6
JERRY:
Nothing to do with it being the only thing that rhymes with ‘jewelled’?
ESTELLE WHITE:
No!
7
ESTELLE WHITE:
It’s one of the high-speed, high-altitude feats of military aviation one often sees in autumn time.
8
JERRY:
What about leaves and squirrels and -
ESTELLE WHITE:
Now listen, Jerry.
9
ESTELLE WHITE:
Do you want a crap hymn about conkers…
10
ESTELLE WHITE:
Or do you want an all-time earworm banger that everyone who hears it will sing in their heads, every single time they see a fallen leaf, until the day they die?
11
JERRY:
OK… sorry… carry on…
12
ESTELLE WHITE:
FROS-TY WINDOWS ON HARR-IER JUMPJETS AND THE SMELL OF NUCLEAR SUB-MAR-INES…
JERRY:
How about acorns?
[ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreiaugkkegwcvurgoumuconihpgbhaazsb3mohc7skluvat3lbwgoiu@jpeg)
September 23, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Autumn days when the grass is jewelled
Reposted by Dani Hall
when I worked in an independent bookstore, the owner told me the most stolen book was one about getting your first period and if I saw anyone walking out with it, I should just let them go.
September 30, 2025 at 6:34 PM
when I worked in an independent bookstore, the owner told me the most stolen book was one about getting your first period and if I saw anyone walking out with it, I should just let them go.
In related news, a certain government white paper is now forever known in my head as Education Excellence Everywhere All At Once (DfE, 2016).
Not sure this is the spirit of #70DaysofPhD but I have managed to spend 25 out of the last 48 hours writing and thinking. Progress made. Back to the day job tomorrow. #PhD #PhDSky #EdD
September 28, 2025 at 8:39 PM
In related news, a certain government white paper is now forever known in my head as Education Excellence Everywhere All At Once (DfE, 2016).
This is probably a mad thought but what if there was an opportunity here to run an experiment on the impact of smaller class sizes for a couple of years before closing some schools?
By 2030, England’s schools are expected to have 400,000 fewer pupils than today.
Primary schools have already lost 150,000 pupils since 2019.
The sharpest declines are in London - often attributed to falling birth rates.
But is that the whole story?
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Primary schools have already lost 150,000 pupils since 2019.
The sharpest declines are in London - often attributed to falling birth rates.
But is that the whole story?
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Low birthrates in England could lead to ‘closure of 800 primary schools by 2029’
Primary pupil numbers could fall by 4% over next five years leading to reduction of 162,000 pupils, study finds
www.theguardian.com
September 28, 2025 at 3:16 PM
This is probably a mad thought but what if there was an opportunity here to run an experiment on the impact of smaller class sizes for a couple of years before closing some schools?
A bit late but…
Worth considering you might need to thank people twice. If you’ve spent time with a member of staff thank them for that time and their wisdom in supporting your role. But also it is an opportunity to thank them for the job they’re doing every day. Acknowledge both. #BigQuestions
Worth considering you might need to thank people twice. If you’ve spent time with a member of staff thank them for that time and their wisdom in supporting your role. But also it is an opportunity to thank them for the job they’re doing every day. Acknowledge both. #BigQuestions
#BIGQuestions are a regular dose of reflection.
So, on autumn days, how do great governors show appreciation to school leaders and staff?
@danigov.bsky.social @rachelj47127149.bsky.social
@hoylerosemary.bsky.social @sallyfarsley.bsky.social
@simonknight100.bsky.social @forrishilier.bsky.social
So, on autumn days, how do great governors show appreciation to school leaders and staff?
@danigov.bsky.social @rachelj47127149.bsky.social
@hoylerosemary.bsky.social @sallyfarsley.bsky.social
@simonknight100.bsky.social @forrishilier.bsky.social
September 27, 2025 at 4:22 PM
A bit late but…
Worth considering you might need to thank people twice. If you’ve spent time with a member of staff thank them for that time and their wisdom in supporting your role. But also it is an opportunity to thank them for the job they’re doing every day. Acknowledge both. #BigQuestions
Worth considering you might need to thank people twice. If you’ve spent time with a member of staff thank them for that time and their wisdom in supporting your role. But also it is an opportunity to thank them for the job they’re doing every day. Acknowledge both. #BigQuestions
Reposted by Dani Hall
Pupils feeling that they belong isn't just nice to have.
So how do great governing bodies support an inclusive school culture?
#BIGQuestions #Inclusion
@hoylerosemary.bsky.social
@danigov.bsky.social
@rachelj47127149.bsky.social
@sallyfarsley.bsky.social
@forrishilier.bsky.social
So how do great governing bodies support an inclusive school culture?
#BIGQuestions #Inclusion
@hoylerosemary.bsky.social
@danigov.bsky.social
@rachelj47127149.bsky.social
@sallyfarsley.bsky.social
@forrishilier.bsky.social
September 25, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Pupils feeling that they belong isn't just nice to have.
So how do great governing bodies support an inclusive school culture?
#BIGQuestions #Inclusion
@hoylerosemary.bsky.social
@danigov.bsky.social
@rachelj47127149.bsky.social
@sallyfarsley.bsky.social
@forrishilier.bsky.social
So how do great governing bodies support an inclusive school culture?
#BIGQuestions #Inclusion
@hoylerosemary.bsky.social
@danigov.bsky.social
@rachelj47127149.bsky.social
@sallyfarsley.bsky.social
@forrishilier.bsky.social
This probably isn’t actually answering the question but I think it’s worth GBs understanding that if their accessibility plan *isn’t* making a difference for SEND pupils then it needs revisiting ASAP. #BigQuestions
#BIGQuestions are quick chances to reflect and also sharing your own wisdom.
How do great governing bodies, schools and leaders ensure that accessibility plans make a difference to our SEND pupils?
#SEND #Ofsted #Inclusion
How do great governing bodies, schools and leaders ensure that accessibility plans make a difference to our SEND pupils?
#SEND #Ofsted #Inclusion
September 24, 2025 at 8:32 PM
This probably isn’t actually answering the question but I think it’s worth GBs understanding that if their accessibility plan *isn’t* making a difference for SEND pupils then it needs revisiting ASAP. #BigQuestions
ALSO spotted an (NGA, 2021a) which is in fact an (NGA, 2021c) 😱😱
September 24, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Reposted by Dani Hall
Back to our #BIGQuestion.
How do governing bodies and school leaders ensure their accessibility plan makes a difference to SEND pupils?
@danigov.bsky.social @rachelj47127149.bsky.social
@hoylerosemary.bsky.social @sallyfarsley.bsky.social
@simonknight100.bsky.social @forrishilier.bsky.social
How do governing bodies and school leaders ensure their accessibility plan makes a difference to SEND pupils?
@danigov.bsky.social @rachelj47127149.bsky.social
@hoylerosemary.bsky.social @sallyfarsley.bsky.social
@simonknight100.bsky.social @forrishilier.bsky.social
September 24, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Back to our #BIGQuestion.
How do governing bodies and school leaders ensure their accessibility plan makes a difference to SEND pupils?
@danigov.bsky.social @rachelj47127149.bsky.social
@hoylerosemary.bsky.social @sallyfarsley.bsky.social
@simonknight100.bsky.social @forrishilier.bsky.social
How do governing bodies and school leaders ensure their accessibility plan makes a difference to SEND pupils?
@danigov.bsky.social @rachelj47127149.bsky.social
@hoylerosemary.bsky.social @sallyfarsley.bsky.social
@simonknight100.bsky.social @forrishilier.bsky.social
This is a lovely thing.
I’ve signed up. Gone for monthly. It is was really easy (unless I did it wrong of course). 📚❤️
I’ve signed up. Gone for monthly. It is was really easy (unless I did it wrong of course). 📚❤️
"THE BIG GREEN BOOKS 500 CLUB"
I've set up a thing where I can regularly send £500 of books to schools who need them.
It costs £1 a week to help out, or whatever you can.
Here's the plan.
biggreenbookshop.com/big-green-bo...
Please share (and join!)
Thanks.
Currently we have £289.12!
I've set up a thing where I can regularly send £500 of books to schools who need them.
It costs £1 a week to help out, or whatever you can.
Here's the plan.
biggreenbookshop.com/big-green-bo...
Please share (and join!)
Thanks.
Currently we have £289.12!
September 23, 2025 at 3:01 PM
This is a lovely thing.
I’ve signed up. Gone for monthly. It is was really easy (unless I did it wrong of course). 📚❤️
I’ve signed up. Gone for monthly. It is was really easy (unless I did it wrong of course). 📚❤️
During my review of literature on school governance I stumbled upon this gem.
A puzzle on every page (and not much else). What does this say about the role for the uninitiated? 🤔🤔🤔
A puzzle on every page (and not much else). What does this say about the role for the uninitiated? 🤔🤔🤔
September 21, 2025 at 2:37 PM
During my review of literature on school governance I stumbled upon this gem.
A puzzle on every page (and not much else). What does this say about the role for the uninitiated? 🤔🤔🤔
A puzzle on every page (and not much else). What does this say about the role for the uninitiated? 🤔🤔🤔
Although, juggling all the hats is very much a part of school governance… #ukedgovs
I’ve set up a new account because @academicgifts.bsky.social had too many hats. Follow me here if you are interested in sharing thoughts and ideas about school governance, academia and education. Or even better feel free to follow both of me!
September 20, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Although, juggling all the hats is very much a part of school governance… #ukedgovs
Reposted by Dani Hall
Celebrate #ALD25, 14 Oct, this year by organising your own event to support women in STEM. You can do anything – a talk, a networking event, a panel discussion, yarn bombing, cream teas, Wikipedia edit-a-thon. The options are endless! Let us know what you do: findingada.com/world...
Submit an Event – Ada Lovelace Day
Insert/edit link
findingada.com
September 20, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Celebrate #ALD25, 14 Oct, this year by organising your own event to support women in STEM. You can do anything – a talk, a networking event, a panel discussion, yarn bombing, cream teas, Wikipedia edit-a-thon. The options are endless! Let us know what you do: findingada.com/world...
Reposted by Dani Hall
Do not punish the behaviour you want to see.
September 20, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Do not punish the behaviour you want to see.
This week I dropped my youngest off at Bristol Uni to begin a degree in Education and Psychology. Packed up some essentials for him: saucepan, lamp, plates, cutlery, towel, and John Holt’s How Children Fail.
September 20, 2025 at 3:28 PM
This week I dropped my youngest off at Bristol Uni to begin a degree in Education and Psychology. Packed up some essentials for him: saucepan, lamp, plates, cutlery, towel, and John Holt’s How Children Fail.
I’ve set up a new account because @academicgifts.bsky.social had too many hats. Follow me here if you are interested in sharing thoughts and ideas about school governance, academia and education. Or even better feel free to follow both of me!
September 20, 2025 at 2:23 PM
I’ve set up a new account because @academicgifts.bsky.social had too many hats. Follow me here if you are interested in sharing thoughts and ideas about school governance, academia and education. Or even better feel free to follow both of me!