Lucy Whiffin
@lucyw1982.bsky.social
Year 6 teacher, Maths and KS2 lead living and working in Somerset. Single mum to three fabulous, exhausting children.
My y9 daughter is keen to take GCSE French and I was pleased- but, reading some of your blog posts, I'm wondering if taking a language is the best idea at the moment!
(Seriously, I know it's always a good idea, but the actual GCSE seems concerning).
(Seriously, I know it's always a good idea, but the actual GCSE seems concerning).
November 24, 2025 at 6:30 AM
My y9 daughter is keen to take GCSE French and I was pleased- but, reading some of your blog posts, I'm wondering if taking a language is the best idea at the moment!
(Seriously, I know it's always a good idea, but the actual GCSE seems concerning).
(Seriously, I know it's always a good idea, but the actual GCSE seems concerning).
Some examples of outstanding progress made in our school by various Y6 children:
-Comes to school every day
-Works with a peer
-Follows our school rules 80% of the time
-Answers the register aloud
-Has a go at a test without panicking
None will get SS 100 on a SATs paper.
-Comes to school every day
-Works with a peer
-Follows our school rules 80% of the time
-Answers the register aloud
-Has a go at a test without panicking
None will get SS 100 on a SATs paper.
November 23, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Some examples of outstanding progress made in our school by various Y6 children:
-Comes to school every day
-Works with a peer
-Follows our school rules 80% of the time
-Answers the register aloud
-Has a go at a test without panicking
None will get SS 100 on a SATs paper.
-Comes to school every day
-Works with a peer
-Follows our school rules 80% of the time
-Answers the register aloud
-Has a go at a test without panicking
None will get SS 100 on a SATs paper.
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).
It makes it sound like it's as sinple as just telling TAs that they have to start working earlier than they're currently contracted to. Many TAs are parents of young children, hence their working during school hours. They don't want to work at breakfast club.
November 20, 2025 at 9:59 PM
It makes it sound like it's as sinple as just telling TAs that they have to start working earlier than they're currently contracted to. Many TAs are parents of young children, hence their working during school hours. They don't want to work at breakfast club.
Oh no. I bet he was so pleased when he thought of that. Ugh.
November 15, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Oh no. I bet he was so pleased when he thought of that. Ugh.
My neurodivergent son already finds school extremely overwhelming. Every day, the uniform, the noise, the expectations to act a certain way, are constantly niggling at him. He copes. But when he is unwell, that additional discomfort is too much and if I force him in, it will not end well.
November 15, 2025 at 7:06 AM
My neurodivergent son already finds school extremely overwhelming. Every day, the uniform, the noise, the expectations to act a certain way, are constantly niggling at him. He copes. But when he is unwell, that additional discomfort is too much and if I force him in, it will not end well.
And writing letters like that is not going to help persistently absent children come to school, it will just make children who generally have good attendance feel anxious about staying off even when they might really need to.
November 15, 2025 at 7:00 AM
And writing letters like that is not going to help persistently absent children come to school, it will just make children who generally have good attendance feel anxious about staying off even when they might really need to.
I agree- and really wish we were in a place where teachers felt able to- or where other school staff could do it. But, certainly in my current school situation, there is not an adult with a moment of free time to do this during a school day. I have loved running clubs in the past.
November 14, 2025 at 6:42 AM
I agree- and really wish we were in a place where teachers felt able to- or where other school staff could do it. But, certainly in my current school situation, there is not an adult with a moment of free time to do this during a school day. I have loved running clubs in the past.
Even better, read it and seen it in the illustrations in the marvellous book The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick.
If you haven't read it, I highly recommend- a cinematic experience.
If you haven't read it, I highly recommend- a cinematic experience.
November 14, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Even better, read it and seen it in the illustrations in the marvellous book The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick.
If you haven't read it, I highly recommend- a cinematic experience.
If you haven't read it, I highly recommend- a cinematic experience.
Should that read "wouldn't?"
I can't believe that they think right now, when school staff are on their knees, is the time to introduce another target that cannot possibly be met without expecting the adults in school to somehow do more.
I can't believe that they think right now, when school staff are on their knees, is the time to introduce another target that cannot possibly be met without expecting the adults in school to somehow do more.
November 14, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Should that read "wouldn't?"
I can't believe that they think right now, when school staff are on their knees, is the time to introduce another target that cannot possibly be met without expecting the adults in school to somehow do more.
I can't believe that they think right now, when school staff are on their knees, is the time to introduce another target that cannot possibly be met without expecting the adults in school to somehow do more.