Claire Smith
@phonicssquirrel.bsky.social
Freelance writer specialising in educational content for early years, phonics and promoting reading for pleasure, in the UK and in ELT around the world. Avid reader of books allegedly for grownups and books allegedly for children!
Had coffee this morning with a mum I often see on the school run, but don't know well. I did not expect our conversation to turn to a full rundown of Margaret Atwood's greatest works, but I'm so pleased it did! I'm now thinking about setting up a school run book club!
November 13, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Had coffee this morning with a mum I often see on the school run, but don't know well. I did not expect our conversation to turn to a full rundown of Margaret Atwood's greatest works, but I'm so pleased it did! I'm now thinking about setting up a school run book club!
Is there a school in this land that isn't already working incredibly hard on attendance? How is an AI target going to help the child who can't get to school because they're caring for a sick parent? Or the child whose anxiety prevents them leaving the house? www.theguardian.com/education/20...
All schools in England to be given AI-generated pupil attendance targets
Unions decry move, saying it will put more pressure on headteachers without tackling absence from classrooms
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:49 AM
Is there a school in this land that isn't already working incredibly hard on attendance? How is an AI target going to help the child who can't get to school because they're caring for a sick parent? Or the child whose anxiety prevents them leaving the house? www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Hands up if you didn't know AA Milne wrote books for grownups too! (Obviously, Winnie the Pooh is great for grownups, but you know what I mean.) Found 'The Red House Mystery" in Oxfam and it's really rather enjoyable #mysterylit #oxfam
October 23, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Hands up if you didn't know AA Milne wrote books for grownups too! (Obviously, Winnie the Pooh is great for grownups, but you know what I mean.) Found 'The Red House Mystery" in Oxfam and it's really rather enjoyable #mysterylit #oxfam
Ready for 10YO to become 11YO! #murdermostunladylike @redbreastedbird.bsky.social
October 7, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Ready for 10YO to become 11YO! #murdermostunladylike @redbreastedbird.bsky.social
Reposted by Claire Smith
Not an expert in the field but I suspect teachers and schools already KNOW which students are struggling with reading. What they need are solutions. Such as funding for libraries with librarians.
Exclusive: The government plans to introduce a mandatory reading test for year 8 pupils in its upcoming schools white paper, amid fears poorer children are disengaging in the early years of secondary school
schoolsweek.co.uk/year-8s-to-s...
schoolsweek.co.uk/year-8s-to-s...
White paper to usher in year 8 reading test
Move to ensure poorer pupils are not shut off from wider curriculum
schoolsweek.co.uk
September 26, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Not an expert in the field but I suspect teachers and schools already KNOW which students are struggling with reading. What they need are solutions. Such as funding for libraries with librarians.
School have sent out a message asking people to stop sending tons of sweets in to school for birthdays. Class WhatsApp group is going mad. 'What is the world coming to?', they ask. 'This is really sad'. 'But school will still allow cake sales - how is that fair?'
September 18, 2025 at 12:02 PM
School have sent out a message asking people to stop sending tons of sweets in to school for birthdays. Class WhatsApp group is going mad. 'What is the world coming to?', they ask. 'This is really sad'. 'But school will still allow cake sales - how is that fair?'
10YO is learning about WWII this term, so we're reading 'When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit' by Judith Kerr together. Handily, this month's Aquila magazine (which I generally highly recommend) is on WWII, so we knocked up a little diorama at the weekend.
#aquilamagazine #TheBlitz #schoolhistory
#aquilamagazine #TheBlitz #schoolhistory
September 15, 2025 at 2:58 PM
10YO is learning about WWII this term, so we're reading 'When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit' by Judith Kerr together. Handily, this month's Aquila magazine (which I generally highly recommend) is on WWII, so we knocked up a little diorama at the weekend.
#aquilamagazine #TheBlitz #schoolhistory
#aquilamagazine #TheBlitz #schoolhistory
10YO is in Year 6 now, and finally free of book bands! She was so excited to show me the Year 6 library. Why she hasn't been allowed near it in the previous five years at the school is a mystery to me 🙄
September 10, 2025 at 11:33 AM
10YO is in Year 6 now, and finally free of book bands! She was so excited to show me the Year 6 library. Why she hasn't been allowed near it in the previous five years at the school is a mystery to me 🙄
They say never meet your heroes, but 7YO was beside himself to meet Orinoco today #wombles #heightsofabraham
August 27, 2025 at 3:20 PM
They say never meet your heroes, but 7YO was beside himself to meet Orinoco today #wombles #heightsofabraham
Four months ago, my friend tearfully asked if we'd give one of her cats a home - she'd adopted a pair of kittens who just didn't get on once they'd reached maturity. We'd never had a pet before. We had to learn quickly.
Today, we celebrated Cat's 2nd birthday. We're all besotted.
#birthdaycat
Today, we celebrated Cat's 2nd birthday. We're all besotted.
#birthdaycat
August 25, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Four months ago, my friend tearfully asked if we'd give one of her cats a home - she'd adopted a pair of kittens who just didn't get on once they'd reached maturity. We'd never had a pet before. We had to learn quickly.
Today, we celebrated Cat's 2nd birthday. We're all besotted.
#birthdaycat
Today, we celebrated Cat's 2nd birthday. We're all besotted.
#birthdaycat
Reposted by Claire Smith
Happy ‘it’s a bank holiday that’s why they’re not replying to your emails’ Day to all the freelancers! 🥳
August 25, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Happy ‘it’s a bank holiday that’s why they’re not replying to your emails’ Day to all the freelancers! 🥳
Well, I wasn't expecting the latest Grimwood to lead to discussions with 7YO and 10YO about politics, but very glad it did! Another excellent story.
We've finally decided we're ready for Roald Dahl's 'The Witches' now. Just read the bit about how to recognise a witch. Both kids absolutely gripped 😊
We've finally decided we're ready for Roald Dahl's 'The Witches' now. Just read the bit about how to recognise a witch. Both kids absolutely gripped 😊
August 23, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Well, I wasn't expecting the latest Grimwood to lead to discussions with 7YO and 10YO about politics, but very glad it did! Another excellent story.
We've finally decided we're ready for Roald Dahl's 'The Witches' now. Just read the bit about how to recognise a witch. Both kids absolutely gripped 😊
We've finally decided we're ready for Roald Dahl's 'The Witches' now. Just read the bit about how to recognise a witch. Both kids absolutely gripped 😊
Friend asked 10YO what type of books she likes best: "Mainly murder books. And books with a map in the front."
She's currently reading 'A Boxful of Murders' by Janice Hallett, which I'm definitely going to be reading after her!
www.penguin.co.uk/books/455649...
#kidlituk #mysterybooks
She's currently reading 'A Boxful of Murders' by Janice Hallett, which I'm definitely going to be reading after her!
www.penguin.co.uk/books/455649...
#kidlituk #mysterybooks
A Box Full of Murders
The first children's murder mystery from number-one-bestselling author of The Appeal, Janice Hallett, perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and Rhian Tracey.
When Ava and Luke discover a mysterious box o...
www.penguin.co.uk
August 13, 2025 at 6:27 AM
Friend asked 10YO what type of books she likes best: "Mainly murder books. And books with a map in the front."
She's currently reading 'A Boxful of Murders' by Janice Hallett, which I'm definitely going to be reading after her!
www.penguin.co.uk/books/455649...
#kidlituk #mysterybooks
She's currently reading 'A Boxful of Murders' by Janice Hallett, which I'm definitely going to be reading after her!
www.penguin.co.uk/books/455649...
#kidlituk #mysterybooks
Children are staying with grandparents, so it's remote bedtime story over video calling this week. Which means Grandma and Grandad are also getting to hear the new Grimwood and ALL the silly voices. 7YO is bringing them up to speed: "And then there's Sharon ..." 😆 #kidlituk #bedtimestory #awooga
August 10, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Children are staying with grandparents, so it's remote bedtime story over video calling this week. Which means Grandma and Grandad are also getting to hear the new Grimwood and ALL the silly voices. 7YO is bringing them up to speed: "And then there's Sharon ..." 😆 #kidlituk #bedtimestory #awooga
SQUEEEE! New Grimwood is out! We're very excited - AWOOOOGA!! #grimwood #tedandnancy @nadiashireen.bsky.social
July 31, 2025 at 4:50 PM
SQUEEEE! New Grimwood is out! We're very excited - AWOOOOGA!! #grimwood #tedandnancy @nadiashireen.bsky.social
Last day of infants for 7YO - he's been so discombobulated the last couple of weeks and is definitely ready for some downtime. Funny how in times of transition, he reaches for comfort books. Lots of Wombles and Winnie the Pooh recently #kidlituk #comfortreads
July 24, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Last day of infants for 7YO - he's been so discombobulated the last couple of weeks and is definitely ready for some downtime. Funny how in times of transition, he reaches for comfort books. Lots of Wombles and Winnie the Pooh recently #kidlituk #comfortreads
A train trip, a picnic and a 1.9 mile walk around a nature reserve with my Rainbows group today - not a single mention of tired legs! Ice lollies at the end a good incentive to keep moving #girlguidinguk #rainbows #gguk
July 13, 2025 at 2:42 PM
A train trip, a picnic and a 1.9 mile walk around a nature reserve with my Rainbows group today - not a single mention of tired legs! Ice lollies at the end a good incentive to keep moving #girlguidinguk #rainbows #gguk
7YO begged me for book four in Johnny Duddle's 'The Jolley-Rogers' series when he spotted it in WH Smiths yesterday. Had to um and ahh about it, you know, finances being what they are, but I didn't take much convincing! 😆
toppsta.com/books/series...
toppsta.com/books/series...
All the Jolley-Rogers Series Books in Order | Toppsta
Read reviews of all the Jolley-Rogers Series books and how to read Jolley-Rogers Series in order. Book 1 in the series is The Jolley-Rogers and the Pirate Piper.
toppsta.com
July 9, 2025 at 11:15 AM
7YO begged me for book four in Johnny Duddle's 'The Jolley-Rogers' series when he spotted it in WH Smiths yesterday. Had to um and ahh about it, you know, finances being what they are, but I didn't take much convincing! 😆
toppsta.com/books/series...
toppsta.com/books/series...
Devoured 'A Beginner's Guide to Breaking and Entering' by @andrewhunterm.bsky.social in a single sitting - loved it! Next on the TBR pile is a book I found in our community book swap by Marina Hyde - 'What Just Happened?!' Another one I'll be reading with the author's voice in my head 😀
July 2, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Devoured 'A Beginner's Guide to Breaking and Entering' by @andrewhunterm.bsky.social in a single sitting - loved it! Next on the TBR pile is a book I found in our community book swap by Marina Hyde - 'What Just Happened?!' Another one I'll be reading with the author's voice in my head 😀
Finally finished 'Americanah', by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Amazing. I'd happily read a book by Adichie twice the length. Now for something completely different - 'A Beginners Guide to Breaking and Entering' by Andrew Hunter Murray. And I'm totally hearing his voice as I read!
June 29, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Finally finished 'Americanah', by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Amazing. I'd happily read a book by Adichie twice the length. Now for something completely different - 'A Beginners Guide to Breaking and Entering' by Andrew Hunter Murray. And I'm totally hearing his voice as I read!
Reposted by Claire Smith
The emphasis here on social connections is predictable but great to see it being highlighted.
When we talk to people about class – particularly young people - nepotism is always one of the biggest issues. Often THE biggest.
www.93percent.club/thebigstates...
When we talk to people about class – particularly young people - nepotism is always one of the biggest issues. Often THE biggest.
www.93percent.club/thebigstates...
The Big State School Survey — The 93% Club
The results are in. Here’s what state schoolers across the country really think.
www.93percent.club
June 22, 2025 at 7:57 PM
The emphasis here on social connections is predictable but great to see it being highlighted.
When we talk to people about class – particularly young people - nepotism is always one of the biggest issues. Often THE biggest.
www.93percent.club/thebigstates...
When we talk to people about class – particularly young people - nepotism is always one of the biggest issues. Often THE biggest.
www.93percent.club/thebigstates...
Currently working with a school on their Clean Air campaign to reduce air pollution around school. Before I write a story, are there any books out there (KS1/KS2) that cover this topic in a not terrifying, not judging way? #kidlituk #cleanairday2025
June 21, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Currently working with a school on their Clean Air campaign to reduce air pollution around school. Before I write a story, are there any books out there (KS1/KS2) that cover this topic in a not terrifying, not judging way? #kidlituk #cleanairday2025
I've just finished our space theme at Rainbows with a story about Dr Who, and now they can all do the vworps. #gguk #doctorwho #Rainbows #kidlituk
tardis.fandom.com/wiki/The_Run...
tardis.fandom.com/wiki/The_Run...
The Runaway TARDIS (novel)
The Runaway TARDIS was a novel released in 2020 by Quirk Books, as part of their Pop Classics range. It featured the Thirteenth Doctor with a new companion, Lizzie, a child who's run away from home. I...
tardis.fandom.com
June 19, 2025 at 6:29 PM
I've just finished our space theme at Rainbows with a story about Dr Who, and now they can all do the vworps. #gguk #doctorwho #Rainbows #kidlituk
tardis.fandom.com/wiki/The_Run...
tardis.fandom.com/wiki/The_Run...
June 6, 2025 at 11:25 AM
10YO is currently rattling through everything MG Leonard has ever written, and has also found time to read 'Peanut Jones and the Twelve Portals', by the fab @robbiddulph.bsky.social. Obviously, none of these books 'count' at school, because they are not out of her assigned Reading for Pleasure box 🙄
June 4, 2025 at 10:36 AM
10YO is currently rattling through everything MG Leonard has ever written, and has also found time to read 'Peanut Jones and the Twelve Portals', by the fab @robbiddulph.bsky.social. Obviously, none of these books 'count' at school, because they are not out of her assigned Reading for Pleasure box 🙄