Fiona Spellman
banner
fionaspellman.bsky.social
Fiona Spellman
@fionaspellman.bsky.social
CEO of SHINE: Support and Help IN Education. Passionate about improving education for disadvantaged children. Always keen to share and make connections.
Love this. A wise person said to me recently - you have to fail your way to success
May 28, 2025 at 3:47 PM
New research out today shows how we are shrinking the spaces and places we hold for children. Time spent playing outdoors has declined by 50% in a generation. www.centreforyounglives.org.uk/news-centre/...
Inquiry Report Calls On The Government To Restore School Playtime Amid Warning That Play Is Being Squeezed Out Of Children’s Lives — Play Commission
The Raising the Nation Play Commission, a year-long independent inquiry into why play is critical to the wellbeing of children in England, publishes its Interim Report, ‘State of Play’. The Commission...
www.centreforyounglives.org.uk
February 24, 2025 at 5:47 PM
100% agree. The art of great teaching is clarity of explanation. I wasted so many hours planning lessons that sought to engage students but actually confused them. www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
4 ways to stop accidentally distracting your students
Students remember what they think about - so, as teachers, we need to present our content in a way that keeps their minds focused on the content alone, says Mark Enser
www.tes.com
February 17, 2025 at 7:52 PM
This is so worrying. A national crisis hitting the poorest hardest.
NEW: Nine out of the ten areas of England with the highest unauthorised school absence rates are in North, analysis by
@np-partnership.bsky.social reveals today

Why are kids so much more likely to miss school in the North?

1/2

Graphic by Marianna Longo
February 14, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Is the summer break too long? It’s certainly very challenging for working parents www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Oliver: Time to rethink length of summer holidays
Chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver warns pupils can be 'dysregulated' after long summer break
www.tes.com
February 14, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Fresh from an inspiring set of conversations today with the almighty team @shinetrust.bsky.social There are many things you can do online but nothing beats that energy of being together.
January 20, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Travelling back from a meeting today I had a fascinating conversation with a young autistic boy on the bus who was passionate about education and the role Teachers have played in his life. Sometimes inspiration comes from unexpected places!
January 15, 2025 at 6:12 PM
“Children with SEND deserve more than our compassion. They deserve our competence. So, let’s move beyond words and focus on meaningful action that creates schools where inclusion is not just a vision but a lived reality.” 👏
January 14, 2025 at 7:09 PM
“You can get stuck as a leader in this sector into thinking everything needs a big solution, big ideas. But what has stuck with me throughout my career is that people in difficult situations can often do so much with just a little help.” 💯
Absolutely fantastic piece in @tesmagazine.bsky.social with the wonderful @annelongfield.bsky.social
Our Executive Chair and Founder @annelongfield.bluesky.social talked to tes about the challenges and opportunities over her four decades working with children and families.

www.tes.com/magazine/lea...
January 14, 2025 at 6:41 PM
I loved the sense of optimism and agency in the room. So often these discussions get bogged down in what we can’t do / change. This really felt like a group of professionals ready and wiling to lead the charge.
Thanks Fiona and to everyone who came to @cfyounglives.bsky.social event on inclusive education & schools @leedsbeckett.bsky.social yesterday. A great discussion & drive to open up opportunity.
Brilliant to be here @leedsbeckett.bsky.social with @jonnyuttley.bsky.social @annelongfield.bsky.social and @henrimurison.bsky.social to discuss our shared ambition to create a school system which can better meet the needs of disadvantaged children
January 14, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Key insights from a brilliant session today on Inclusive Education masterfully chaired by @annelongfield.bsky.social - 1) inclusive schools need to become part of an inclusive system, we need to look beyond schools as well as within them…
January 13, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Brilliant to be here @leedsbeckett.bsky.social with @jonnyuttley.bsky.social @annelongfield.bsky.social and @henrimurison.bsky.social to discuss our shared ambition to create a school system which can better meet the needs of disadvantaged children
January 13, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Delighted to be able to share the key insights from a 10 month research study into educational attainment in Sunderland today shinetrust.org.uk/2024/12/11/m... First funding to schools will be announced in the New Year.
Major new study sheds light on the hidden potential of students in Sunderland - SHINE
New study reveals that many secondary school students in Sunderland need more support to be able to reach their full potential.
shinetrust.org.uk
December 11, 2024 at 8:51 AM
"Most children involved in the criminal justice system share experiences of childhood adversity... Too often, they needed help before they started school and too often, they have failed to meet the very high thresholds for support from an underfunded and overstretched system." tinyurl.com/4ea3wzev
December 2, 2024 at 4:54 PM
Excited to join bluesky and see what I've been missing!
November 26, 2024 at 10:28 PM