Lucy Whiffin
@lucyw1982.bsky.social
Year 6 teacher, Maths and KS2 lead living and working in Somerset. Single mum to three fabulous, exhausting children.
Reposted by Lucy Whiffin
The great thing about this is the fearless interviewer. Imagine if all journalists were fearless seekers of truth instead of folding in the face of Farage's prickly blustering.
“I would never ever do it in a hurtful or insulting way”
Nigel Farage responds to allegations of racist behaviour from when he was a teenager at school
@itvnewspolitics.bsky.social
Nigel Farage responds to allegations of racist behaviour from when he was a teenager at school
@itvnewspolitics.bsky.social
November 25, 2025 at 6:14 AM
The great thing about this is the fearless interviewer. Imagine if all journalists were fearless seekers of truth instead of folding in the face of Farage's prickly blustering.
Reposted by Lucy Whiffin
If you read one thing today, make it The Bear’s withering dismantling of Reform UK’s “budget” with the precision of someone who understands numbers… unlike the people who wrote it. A a masterclass in calm annihilation that's ruthlessly savage. 🔥
@eastangliabylines.co.uk @bearlypolitics.co.uk
@eastangliabylines.co.uk @bearlypolitics.co.uk
The truth behind Reform UK’s reckless budget
£25bn of imagined savings, real-world cruelty and mathematics that should come with a trigger warning
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 7:05 PM
If you read one thing today, make it The Bear’s withering dismantling of Reform UK’s “budget” with the precision of someone who understands numbers… unlike the people who wrote it. A a masterclass in calm annihilation that's ruthlessly savage. 🔥
@eastangliabylines.co.uk @bearlypolitics.co.uk
@eastangliabylines.co.uk @bearlypolitics.co.uk
Reposted by Lucy Whiffin
How is this not the top story on every news bulletin?
This has been happening for years and instead of doing anything to protect children successive governments have made the situation worse. This isn't just on councils. It is part of failings on a State level.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
This has been happening for years and instead of doing anything to protect children successive governments have made the situation worse. This isn't just on councils. It is part of failings on a State level.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
More then 2,000 trafficked children and lone child asylum seekers missing from UK councils’ care
Charities say vulnerable young people are being failed by local authorities, the police and central government
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:43 AM
How is this not the top story on every news bulletin?
This has been happening for years and instead of doing anything to protect children successive governments have made the situation worse. This isn't just on councils. It is part of failings on a State level.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
This has been happening for years and instead of doing anything to protect children successive governments have made the situation worse. This isn't just on councils. It is part of failings on a State level.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
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?"
Martyn Oliver wants " a system that accounts for the complexity and richness of what happens in your schools every single day."
If this is really true, and they genuinely want to know what really goes on, and will stop calling this 'excuses,' then I welcome it. But I can't help but feel sceptical.
If this is really true, and they genuinely want to know what really goes on, and will stop calling this 'excuses,' then I welcome it. But I can't help but feel sceptical.
The new OFSTED inspection frame work is worse than the last:
One newly qualified teacher was observed “for the best part of two-and-a-half hours during the two days, which is way more than anything you would have ever expected under the old framework”.
schoolsweek.co.uk/more-collabo...
One newly qualified teacher was observed “for the best part of two-and-a-half hours during the two days, which is way more than anything you would have ever expected under the old framework”.
schoolsweek.co.uk/more-collabo...
Heads issue report cards on new Ofsted inspections
Here’s what five leaders inspected under the new regime had to say about their experience...
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Martyn Oliver wants " a system that accounts for the complexity and richness of what happens in your schools every single day."
If this is really true, and they genuinely want to know what really goes on, and will stop calling this 'excuses,' then I welcome it. But I can't help but feel sceptical.
If this is really true, and they genuinely want to know what really goes on, and will stop calling this 'excuses,' then I welcome it. But I can't help but feel sceptical.
Yet more guidance written by people who seem to have no idea about the realities of day-to-day school life.
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 20, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Yet more guidance written by people who seem to have no idea about the realities of day-to-day school life.
Reposted by Lucy Whiffin
And herein lies the crux of it.
Ultimately, the most successful way (and probably, if we're truthful, the only way) to truly narrow the attainment gap, is going to be to tackle poverty and other forms of disadvantage head on. It won't be cheap. And schools certainly can't do it alone.
Ultimately, the most successful way (and probably, if we're truthful, the only way) to truly narrow the attainment gap, is going to be to tackle poverty and other forms of disadvantage head on. It won't be cheap. And schools certainly can't do it alone.
“…lack of specialist teachers” “changes that fall outside the NC … recruiting better qualified teachers … increasing funding for … long-term disadvantage” “… this new … curriculum must be met with a seismic shift in teacher funding and recruitment””
theconversation.com/what-the-rev...
theconversation.com/what-the-rev...
What the review of England’s national curriculum means for disadvantaged schools
A significant barrier will be the lack of specialist teachers.
theconversation.com
November 16, 2025 at 7:07 AM
And herein lies the crux of it.
Ultimately, the most successful way (and probably, if we're truthful, the only way) to truly narrow the attainment gap, is going to be to tackle poverty and other forms of disadvantage head on. It won't be cheap. And schools certainly can't do it alone.
Ultimately, the most successful way (and probably, if we're truthful, the only way) to truly narrow the attainment gap, is going to be to tackle poverty and other forms of disadvantage head on. It won't be cheap. And schools certainly can't do it alone.
"Complete novels play a role in reading formation that excerpts, I would argue, cannot. Novels demonstrate what sustained narrative engagement feels like. They model the rhythms of literary art. They show students that some pleasures require patience and effort"
An excellent long-form response to this Shanahan blog by @carlhendrick.substack.com.
open.substack.com/pub/carlhend...
open.substack.com/pub/carlhend...
November 15, 2025 at 7:18 AM
"Complete novels play a role in reading formation that excerpts, I would argue, cannot. Novels demonstrate what sustained narrative engagement feels like. They model the rhythms of literary art. They show students that some pleasures require patience and effort"
I always wonder with these hypocrites, to what degree they are aware of their hypocrisy and will just say and do whatever suits themselves, or to what degree they genuinely believe (have convinced themselves of) their own rhetoric.
JD Vance owns a company that buys American real estate and sells it to foreign investors. They specifically target Americans in crisis to buy their property for less than it is worth.
JD Vance: "A lot of young people are saying housing is way too expensive. Why is that? Because we flooded the country with 30 million illegal immigrants who were taking houses that ought by right go to American citizens."
November 14, 2025 at 6:36 AM
I always wonder with these hypocrites, to what degree they are aware of their hypocrisy and will just say and do whatever suits themselves, or to what degree they genuinely believe (have convinced themselves of) their own rhetoric.
Reposted by Lucy Whiffin
I personally hope that people continue to buy The Art and Science of Primary Reading not only because it raises money for a great cause but also because the two Christopher Such books on reading are complementary and both are great. open.substack.com/pub/markgood...
November 14, 2025 at 5:03 AM
I personally hope that people continue to buy The Art and Science of Primary Reading not only because it raises money for a great cause but also because the two Christopher Such books on reading are complementary and both are great. open.substack.com/pub/markgood...
Reposted by Lucy Whiffin
A poem for Elon Musk #empathy #humanity @humanists.uk #love @amnestyuk.bsky.social @hopenothate.org.uk @nionwomen.bsky.social #poetry #poem
November 8, 2025 at 2:28 PM
A poem for Elon Musk #empathy #humanity @humanists.uk #love @amnestyuk.bsky.social @hopenothate.org.uk @nionwomen.bsky.social #poetry #poem
Reposted by Lucy Whiffin
“Schools are brimming with blessings”
Yes to this! Deliberately making the effort to notice them, no matter how small, is where we find the joy 🥰
Yes to this! Deliberately making the effort to notice them, no matter how small, is where we find the joy 🥰
November 8, 2025 at 8:21 PM
“Schools are brimming with blessings”
Yes to this! Deliberately making the effort to notice them, no matter how small, is where we find the joy 🥰
Yes to this! Deliberately making the effort to notice them, no matter how small, is where we find the joy 🥰
So disappointed with this Labour government.
I’m fed up with Labour politicians feeling they have to cosplay the far right. By all means, let’s have a serious debate about migration, but without dehumanizing migrants, or uttering facile soundbites. 😡
LABOUR Home Office minister writes...
November 8, 2025 at 10:33 PM
So disappointed with this Labour government.
As a parent of a teenage girl with mental health issues, this is one of the most heart-wrenching, horrendous things I have read. How quickly any of our children could find themselves in this situation. How can this happen? How have we let the state of children's mental health services come to this?
"...like a good little rule follower, I listened and trusted their advice. I was grateful even, for someone to tell me how to navigate this. Yet, all the while, a little voice inside me knew that Ruth needed something different." www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
‘The ward felt like a prison. What had I let them do?’: how my daughter was crushed by a health service meant to help her
Ruth was 14 years old and being treated for an eating disorder when she died after being detained under the Mental Health Act. She wasn’t allowed to see her family for more than a few hours a week. Ho...
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 10:31 PM
As a parent of a teenage girl with mental health issues, this is one of the most heart-wrenching, horrendous things I have read. How quickly any of our children could find themselves in this situation. How can this happen? How have we let the state of children's mental health services come to this?
Reposted by Lucy Whiffin
The fundamental fault line is that utilities, education, health &care services in England have been handed over to private companies who run them on the basis of maximum cash to the directors and the most basic service possible they can offer to the users.
Anna Turley, "How have we got to this situation? We've seen so much chronic underfunding"
She's 100% right
So as well as already having underfunded public services, we'll continue to have underfunded public services, because we can't afford to fund them because of Brexit
She's 100% right
So as well as already having underfunded public services, we'll continue to have underfunded public services, because we can't afford to fund them because of Brexit
November 7, 2025 at 8:33 AM
The fundamental fault line is that utilities, education, health &care services in England have been handed over to private companies who run them on the basis of maximum cash to the directors and the most basic service possible they can offer to the users.
Whatever tasks assistant heads are doing will still need doing: presumably the ministers expect other staff to do that unpaid instead? Or maybe they think headteachers are having an easy time of it at the moment (🤣) and can fit in some extra work?
FFS
FFS
❌ Ministers have suggested rising numbers of assistant heads could be the place to target cost-cutting as schools are forced to make savings to fund future teacher pay rises.
So what’s behind the rise, and is a cut do-able? Schools Week investigates...
So what’s behind the rise, and is a cut do-able? Schools Week investigates...
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 6:22 AM
Whatever tasks assistant heads are doing will still need doing: presumably the ministers expect other staff to do that unpaid instead? Or maybe they think headteachers are having an easy time of it at the moment (🤣) and can fit in some extra work?
FFS
FFS
Reposted by Lucy Whiffin
Reposted by Lucy Whiffin
Why should we switch 2p of tax from National Insurance to Income Tax? ⤵️
Income Tax raises more money and spreads the burden more fairly. The switch would raise £6 billion, and leave the vast majority of payslips unaffected.
Income Tax raises more money and spreads the burden more fairly. The switch would raise £6 billion, and leave the vast majority of payslips unaffected.
November 2, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Why should we switch 2p of tax from National Insurance to Income Tax? ⤵️
Income Tax raises more money and spreads the burden more fairly. The switch would raise £6 billion, and leave the vast majority of payslips unaffected.
Income Tax raises more money and spreads the burden more fairly. The switch would raise £6 billion, and leave the vast majority of payslips unaffected.
It is also important to consider that often professionals may be in a better position to do this (I speak from bitter experience and being vulnerably honest here). I know how I "should" support my son but find it much harder not to dysregulate myself with him than I do with children I teach.
Unless parents training up for emotional support became more standard, in which case the school support can be focused on those who don't have trained up adults at home
November 2, 2025 at 9:25 AM
It is also important to consider that often professionals may be in a better position to do this (I speak from bitter experience and being vulnerably honest here). I know how I "should" support my son but find it much harder not to dysregulate myself with him than I do with children I teach.
I wonder whether this is part of the reason so many children begin to really struggle when they start secondary. By their nature of multiple teachers in different rooms, a huge amount of predictability is lost. Certainly my y7 son is struggling with the different expectations from lesson to lesson.
3/3 When environments become predictable, affirming, and relationally safe, emotional balance and engagement tend to return naturally- not through compliance, but through restored safety and trust.
November 2, 2025 at 7:57 AM
I wonder whether this is part of the reason so many children begin to really struggle when they start secondary. By their nature of multiple teachers in different rooms, a huge amount of predictability is lost. Certainly my y7 son is struggling with the different expectations from lesson to lesson.
Reposted by Lucy Whiffin
I hand over an invisible ‘Tree Of The Day’ award to the most charismatic tree I see on each of my walks. Here are just a few past winners of this esteemed but still largely unknown prize.
September 28, 2025 at 8:13 AM
I hand over an invisible ‘Tree Of The Day’ award to the most charismatic tree I see on each of my walks. Here are just a few past winners of this esteemed but still largely unknown prize.
Reposted by Lucy Whiffin
A pictures worth a 1000 words, right? But when words and pictures pull in different directions, learning falls apart. My latest piece looks at where dual coding goes wrong and how to make visuals actually help students think. open.substack.com/pub/daviddid...
The Dual Coding Delusion
How dual coding theory became a victim of edu-mythology and why adding visuals won’t make your teaching more memorable.
open.substack.com
November 1, 2025 at 7:19 AM
A pictures worth a 1000 words, right? But when words and pictures pull in different directions, learning falls apart. My latest piece looks at where dual coding goes wrong and how to make visuals actually help students think. open.substack.com/pub/daviddid...
Oh crap
This is depressing
This is depressing
Oh dear
Not sure about this at all - and I doubt will many members of the profession.
schoolsweek.co.uk/10-things-we...
Not sure about this at all - and I doubt will many members of the profession.
schoolsweek.co.uk/10-things-we...
10 things we learned from DfE teacher pay evidence
Department believes schools can make savings from leadership teams and deployment of support staff
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 1, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Oh crap
This is depressing
This is depressing
Reposted by Lucy Whiffin
Schools make more
Social care referrals than anyone else. And social care can’t/wont step in until a family reaches crisis point.
This is not good.
Schools cannot continue to plug this gap. It’s not what we trained for, not what we know.
Via @tesmagazine.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Social care referrals than anyone else. And social care can’t/wont step in until a family reaches crisis point.
This is not good.
Schools cannot continue to plug this gap. It’s not what we trained for, not what we know.
Via @tesmagazine.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
School referrals to social services hit new high
Schools made nearly 45,000 more social services referrals last year compared with a decade ago, DfE data shows
www.tes.com
October 31, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Schools make more
Social care referrals than anyone else. And social care can’t/wont step in until a family reaches crisis point.
This is not good.
Schools cannot continue to plug this gap. It’s not what we trained for, not what we know.
Via @tesmagazine.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Social care referrals than anyone else. And social care can’t/wont step in until a family reaches crisis point.
This is not good.
Schools cannot continue to plug this gap. It’s not what we trained for, not what we know.
Via @tesmagazine.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/new...