Geoff Barton
@realgeoffbarton.bsky.social
Recovering English teacher, headteacher, and union baron. Chiefly: food, books, Shakespeare, oracy, articles of interest … and gratuitous pics of border terrier Molly B.
https://linktr.ee/geoffbarton
https://linktr.ee/geoffbarton
‘Many years ago, I took my parents to see The Merchant of Venice. Portia was halfway through her “Quality of mercy” speech when my father decided to join in. Shakespeare was in his bloodstream …’: my @tesmagazine.bsky.social piece celebrating the RSC’s new curriculum: www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Why Shakespeare and oracy go hand in hand
The curriculum and assessment review cements Shakespeare’s place in classrooms, but teaching must focus on bringing his words to life, writes Geoff Barton
www.tes.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:28 AM
‘Many years ago, I took my parents to see The Merchant of Venice. Portia was halfway through her “Quality of mercy” speech when my father decided to join in. Shakespeare was in his bloodstream …’: my @tesmagazine.bsky.social piece celebrating the RSC’s new curriculum: www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Reposted by Geoff Barton
Great to see the importance of Oracy being so clearly recognised in the CAR! Congratulations to @voice21oracy.bsky.social @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social and many others & thank you for all your hard work!
Like @voice21oracy.bsky.social, we're delighted to see prominence given to oracy in the recently published Curriculum and Assessment Review. Here's their response voice21.org/voice-21-res...
Voice 21 responds to the Curriculum and Assessment Review - Voice 21
voice21.org
November 6, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Great to see the importance of Oracy being so clearly recognised in the CAR! Congratulations to @voice21oracy.bsky.social @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social and many others & thank you for all your hard work!
Reposted by Geoff Barton
"We're not saying that we have an education system that isn't working for all young people, it's just not working for enough young people".
📻 @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social on @bbc5live.bsky.social 👇
📻 @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social on @bbc5live.bsky.social 👇
October 26, 2025 at 7:22 PM
"We're not saying that we have an education system that isn't working for all young people, it's just not working for enough young people".
📻 @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social on @bbc5live.bsky.social 👇
📻 @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social on @bbc5live.bsky.social 👇
Just finished Ian McEwan’s latest. At first I wasn’t sure about it. I liked the dystopian stuff, but didn’t care about the people, the narrative. Then part 2 kicks in and it all coheres - a haunting exploration of memory, storytelling, the intersection of our past & present. Superb #BartonBookshelf
October 26, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Just finished Ian McEwan’s latest. At first I wasn’t sure about it. I liked the dystopian stuff, but didn’t care about the people, the narrative. Then part 2 kicks in and it all coheres - a haunting exploration of memory, storytelling, the intersection of our past & present. Superb #BartonBookshelf
A handy summary via @tesmagazine.bsky.social of what we say about improving inclusion in today's @ippr.org report: www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Statutory SEND support should not need diagnosis, say experts
Taskforce urges the government to create a new layer of statutory SEND support in mainstream schools - but to keep existing EHCPs temporarily
www.tes.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:45 AM
A handy summary via @tesmagazine.bsky.social of what we say about improving inclusion in today's @ippr.org report: www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Geoff Barton
🎧 “Please don’t ignore us" - Cath Kitchen, chair of the National Association of Hospital Education spotlights why children with medical needs must be included in the SEND conversation.
New episode of Talking Inclusion... with @RealGeoffBarton.bsky.social is live!
podcasts.apple.com/ug/podcast/t...
New episode of Talking Inclusion... with @RealGeoffBarton.bsky.social is live!
podcasts.apple.com/ug/podcast/t...
Talking Inclusion… With Geoff Barton
Education Podcast · A podcast from the IPPR Inclusion Taskforce What does truly inclusive education look like, and how can we make it better? Hosted by Geoff Barton, former general secretary of the…
podcasts.apple.com
October 21, 2025 at 12:40 PM
🎧 “Please don’t ignore us" - Cath Kitchen, chair of the National Association of Hospital Education spotlights why children with medical needs must be included in the SEND conversation.
New episode of Talking Inclusion... with @RealGeoffBarton.bsky.social is live!
podcasts.apple.com/ug/podcast/t...
New episode of Talking Inclusion... with @RealGeoffBarton.bsky.social is live!
podcasts.apple.com/ug/podcast/t...
Those Covid months remembered ...
Shortly after this conference "things started to shift more dramatically" Sir Gavin adds. You can read former ASCL general secretary @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social's recollection of this turn of events here www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
Geoff Barton: How the week that ‘changed education forever’ unfolded
Five years ago this week, Covid closed schools across England and Geoff Barton, then ASCL general secretary, was at the heart of the process. He explains how it happened and what it taught us
www.tes.com
October 14, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Those Covid months remembered ...
"This volume lets us see Heaney’s work, whose ripples we are still learning to navigate, for the colossal achievement it is, and reminds us that Heaney is not only a keeper but an enricher of the word-hoard": the definitive new Heaney poetry collection: www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
The Poems of Seamus Heaney review – collected works reveal his colossal achievement
The complete works, including previously unpublished poems and expert notes, are brought together in one volume for the first time
www.theguardian.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:57 PM
"This volume lets us see Heaney’s work, whose ripples we are still learning to navigate, for the colossal achievement it is, and reminds us that Heaney is not only a keeper but an enricher of the word-hoard": the definitive new Heaney poetry collection: www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
The fundamental role of language in inclusive education, and the importance of early intervention & support: my conversation for our @ippr.org ‘Talking Inclusion’ podcast with Jane Harris, CEO of @speechandlanguk.bsky.social:
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
"Every teacher is a language t…–Talking Inclusion… With Geoff Barton – Apple Podcasts
Podcast Episode · Talking Inclusion… With Geoff Barton · 29/09/2025 · 31m
podcasts.apple.com
October 1, 2025 at 10:13 AM
The fundamental role of language in inclusive education, and the importance of early intervention & support: my conversation for our @ippr.org ‘Talking Inclusion’ podcast with Jane Harris, CEO of @speechandlanguk.bsky.social:
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
“He leaves the world alight with his words": farewell to one of my favourite contemporary poets, Brian Patten: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'Force of nature' Liverpool poet Brian Patten dies aged 79
Brian Patten rose to prominence as one of the Liverpool Poets behind The Mersey Sound anthology.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 1, 2025 at 10:06 AM
“He leaves the world alight with his words": farewell to one of my favourite contemporary poets, Brian Patten: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
On art education: “Starmer’s ‘new, hopeful, modern story of Britain’ is still waiting to be written. And unless we rescue art from the margins of the curriculum, there may soon be no one left who knows how to sketch it out” … observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Children starved of art lose their creative spark – and t...
You can’t buy a crayon with the amount spent on arts education in some schools – leaving pupils without the skills for tomorrow’s jobs
observer.co.uk
September 27, 2025 at 7:51 PM
On art education: “Starmer’s ‘new, hopeful, modern story of Britain’ is still waiting to be written. And unless we rescue art from the margins of the curriculum, there may soon be no one left who knows how to sketch it out” … observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
In which I ask where the idea came from that young people’s reading skills and enjoyment will be improved by stuffing a compulsory reading test into Year 8 … www.linkedin.com/posts/geoff-...
Year 8 state school pupils in England could face mandatory reading tests | Geoff Barton
Baffled Barton of Suffolk:
Where on earth did the idea come from that we need a new Year 8 reading text?
We know from PISA tests that our primary pupils do pretty well in reading. PISA 2022 reported...
www.linkedin.com
September 27, 2025 at 6:37 AM
In which I ask where the idea came from that young people’s reading skills and enjoyment will be improved by stuffing a compulsory reading test into Year 8 … www.linkedin.com/posts/geoff-...
Reposted by Geoff Barton
Too many vulnerable children are sent miles from their communities, while parents face a low-trust SEND system as they fight for years for support.
@childrenscomm.bsky.social, Rachel de Souza says: “We must do better for our children.” On Talking Inclusion... With @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social
@childrenscomm.bsky.social, Rachel de Souza says: “We must do better for our children.” On Talking Inclusion... With @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social
September 11, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Too many vulnerable children are sent miles from their communities, while parents face a low-trust SEND system as they fight for years for support.
@childrenscomm.bsky.social, Rachel de Souza says: “We must do better for our children.” On Talking Inclusion... With @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social
@childrenscomm.bsky.social, Rachel de Souza says: “We must do better for our children.” On Talking Inclusion... With @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social
Reposted by Geoff Barton
In episode 7 of Talking Inclusion... with @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social, Rachel de Souza (@childrenscomm.bsky.social) talks to Geoff about her new #ChildrensPlan and what it means for more inclusive education.
🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/6qaz...
📄 www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/resource/the...
🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/6qaz...
📄 www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/resource/the...
“We must do better for our children” with Dame Rachel de Souza
Talking Inclusion… With Geoff Barton · Episode
open.spotify.com
September 10, 2025 at 2:07 PM
In episode 7 of Talking Inclusion... with @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social, Rachel de Souza (@childrenscomm.bsky.social) talks to Geoff about her new #ChildrensPlan and what it means for more inclusive education.
🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/6qaz...
📄 www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/resource/the...
🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/6qaz...
📄 www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/resource/the...
Learning from others:
In our latest @ippr.org ‘Talking Inclusion’ podcast, it was my privilege to talk to global expert Professor Mel Ainscow about what we might learn from some other countries’ approaches to inclusive education:
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
In our latest @ippr.org ‘Talking Inclusion’ podcast, it was my privilege to talk to global expert Professor Mel Ainscow about what we might learn from some other countries’ approaches to inclusive education:
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
"Reforming Inclusion" with Pro…–Talking Inclusion… With Geoff Barton – Apple Podcasts
Podcast Episode · Talking Inclusion… With Geoff Barton · 02/09/2025 · 21m
podcasts.apple.com
September 2, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Learning from others:
In our latest @ippr.org ‘Talking Inclusion’ podcast, it was my privilege to talk to global expert Professor Mel Ainscow about what we might learn from some other countries’ approaches to inclusive education:
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
In our latest @ippr.org ‘Talking Inclusion’ podcast, it was my privilege to talk to global expert Professor Mel Ainscow about what we might learn from some other countries’ approaches to inclusive education:
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Update on AI and student literacy: interesting new research from @literacy-trust.bsky.social: literacytrust.org.uk/research-ser...
Young people and teachers’ use of generative AI to support literacy in 2025 | National Literacy Trust
These reports share findings on young people and teachers' use of generative AI to support literacy in 2025.
literacytrust.org.uk
September 2, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Update on AI and student literacy: interesting new research from @literacy-trust.bsky.social: literacytrust.org.uk/research-ser...
“For a limited season this autumn, Christopher Marlowe will become a star of the London stage again. Enjoy it while you can …” says @theguardian.com.
Can’t wait to see the RSC’s ‘Born With Teeth’ at this week’s official opening …
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Can’t wait to see the RSC’s ‘Born With Teeth’ at this week’s official opening …
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on Christopher Marlowe: it’s time to read him and honour him | Editorial
Editorial: England’s second most famous playwright is the star of a new play. But his own works should be staged more, and he should be commemorated better
www.theguardian.com
August 30, 2025 at 7:16 AM
“For a limited season this autumn, Christopher Marlowe will become a star of the London stage again. Enjoy it while you can …” says @theguardian.com.
Can’t wait to see the RSC’s ‘Born With Teeth’ at this week’s official opening …
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Can’t wait to see the RSC’s ‘Born With Teeth’ at this week’s official opening …
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
'How might the narrative around special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) move away from deficit & barriers towards joy, belonging & opportunity?': our latest @ippr.org 'Talking Inclusion' podcast is with the inspiring @katieghose.bsky.social: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
"A dose of optimism" with Kati…–Talking Inclusion… With Geoff Barton – Apple Podcasts
Podcast Episode · Talking Inclusion… With Geoff Barton · 29/08/2025 · 15m
podcasts.apple.com
August 29, 2025 at 3:55 PM
'How might the narrative around special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) move away from deficit & barriers towards joy, belonging & opportunity?': our latest @ippr.org 'Talking Inclusion' podcast is with the inspiring @katieghose.bsky.social: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
“Seven leading Jane Austen experts make their case for who is her ultimate heroine …”
theconversation.com/who-was-jane...
theconversation.com/who-was-jane...
Who was Jane Austen’s best heroine? These experts think they know
We’re pitting her much-loved heroines against each other in a battle of wit, charm and sass
theconversation.com
August 23, 2025 at 6:21 AM
“Seven leading Jane Austen experts make their case for who is her ultimate heroine …”
theconversation.com/who-was-jane...
theconversation.com/who-was-jane...
Introducing our new series of brief (15-min) @ippr.org podcasts looking at different aspects of what inclusion in education means now … and how it could look in the future. First conversation is with national SEND expert @mmulholland.bsky.social: open.spotify.com/episode/5G7A...
"Every learner matters and matters equally" with Margaret Mulholland
Talking Inclusion… With Geoff Barton · Episode
open.spotify.com
August 22, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Introducing our new series of brief (15-min) @ippr.org podcasts looking at different aspects of what inclusion in education means now … and how it could look in the future. First conversation is with national SEND expert @mmulholland.bsky.social: open.spotify.com/episode/5G7A...
Reposted by Geoff Barton
Today, we're announcing the members of IPPR's Inclusion Taskforce, chaired by @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social.
We have brought together leaders from education, policy, and politics — alongside parents — to find solutions for a system at breaking point.
Find out more here: www.ippr.org/the-ippr-inc...
We have brought together leaders from education, policy, and politics — alongside parents — to find solutions for a system at breaking point.
Find out more here: www.ippr.org/the-ippr-inc...
August 19, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Today, we're announcing the members of IPPR's Inclusion Taskforce, chaired by @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social.
We have brought together leaders from education, policy, and politics — alongside parents — to find solutions for a system at breaking point.
Find out more here: www.ippr.org/the-ippr-inc...
We have brought together leaders from education, policy, and politics — alongside parents — to find solutions for a system at breaking point.
Find out more here: www.ippr.org/the-ippr-inc...
“Everywhere, negative stories about Russia were quietly downplayed or suppressed and positive ones megaphoned. In this climate, 5 major publishing houses turned down Animal Farm as an inappropriate attack on a vital wartime ally”: the origins of a brilliant book:
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
‘Animal Farm was my parents’ teamwork’: Orwell’s son on 80 years of the satirical classic
Richard Blair on the role his mother played in developing the 1945 political fable – and how it nearly didn’t get published
www.theguardian.com
August 17, 2025 at 10:05 AM
“Everywhere, negative stories about Russia were quietly downplayed or suppressed and positive ones megaphoned. In this climate, 5 major publishing houses turned down Animal Farm as an inappropriate attack on a vital wartime ally”: the origins of a brilliant book:
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
“In this multitalented cast of 10, only Lossi the dog doesn’t play an instrument”: lovely, witty review of the RSC’s charming, family-friendly production of ‘Two Gentlemen’ now playing in Stratford-Upon-Avon: www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/a...
The Two Gentlemen of Verona review – less smut, more mutt in RSC’s delightful dog day afternoon
Lossi the lurcher is the only cast member not playing an instrument in this summer production aimed at younger audiences
www.theguardian.com
August 14, 2025 at 6:22 AM
“In this multitalented cast of 10, only Lossi the dog doesn’t play an instrument”: lovely, witty review of the RSC’s charming, family-friendly production of ‘Two Gentlemen’ now playing in Stratford-Upon-Avon: www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/a...
“For it’s when we feel ourselves plunged into the abyss, when our despair at our fellow human beings pulls strongest, that we most need to look upward – and glimpse the stars”: a timely dose of optimism from @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social @theguardian.com: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The world’s in flames. But these are the ways I’ve found hope this summer amid the gloom | Jonathan Freedland
Tentatively, I want to make a moral case for escapism – for allowing oneself a break from world events, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland
www.theguardian.com
August 9, 2025 at 6:52 AM
“For it’s when we feel ourselves plunged into the abyss, when our despair at our fellow human beings pulls strongest, that we most need to look upward – and glimpse the stars”: a timely dose of optimism from @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social @theguardian.com: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
“Do you get irritated by how young people speak? Or are you like, chill … ?”: entertaining, informative piece on language change in @thenewworldmag.bsky.social app.thenewworld.co.uk/story/139578...
Why we need to be more chill about language change
It appears that our vocabulary is entrained with the Zeitgeist, whether we like it or not
app.thenewworld.co.uk
August 5, 2025 at 6:53 AM
“Do you get irritated by how young people speak? Or are you like, chill … ?”: entertaining, informative piece on language change in @thenewworldmag.bsky.social app.thenewworld.co.uk/story/139578...