Simon Kidwell
@simonkidwell.bsky.social
School Principal and NAHT Past President . All views expressed are my own.
Reposted by Simon Kidwell
NAHT past president, Simon Kidwell, spoke to BBC Breakfast this morning about the strengths and weaknesses of the recommendations in the new curriculum and assessment review 👇
November 5, 2025 at 5:25 PM
NAHT past president, Simon Kidwell, spoke to BBC Breakfast this morning about the strengths and weaknesses of the recommendations in the new curriculum and assessment review 👇
Reposted by Simon Kidwell
I spoke on BBC Breakfast about school readiness and the importance of education settings and parents working in partnership to access key services and support.
Cuts to family support services, a shortage of health visitors and the disruption caused by the pandemic have all had an impact on some young children and their readiness for school.
Former NAHT president, Simon Kidwell, appeared on BBC Breakfast to talk about the impact on schools and parents.
Former NAHT president, Simon Kidwell, appeared on BBC Breakfast to talk about the impact on schools and parents.
September 12, 2025 at 5:26 PM
I spoke on BBC Breakfast about school readiness and the importance of education settings and parents working in partnership to access key services and support.
I spoke on BBC Breakfast about school readiness and the importance of education settings and parents working in partnership to access key services and support.
Cuts to family support services, a shortage of health visitors and the disruption caused by the pandemic have all had an impact on some young children and their readiness for school.
Former NAHT president, Simon Kidwell, appeared on BBC Breakfast to talk about the impact on schools and parents.
Former NAHT president, Simon Kidwell, appeared on BBC Breakfast to talk about the impact on schools and parents.
September 12, 2025 at 5:26 PM
I spoke on BBC Breakfast about school readiness and the importance of education settings and parents working in partnership to access key services and support.
Reposted by Simon Kidwell
Former NAHT president, Simon Kidwell, spoke to ITV News about the impact testing can have on children's well-being.
Other assessment methods can sometimes be more appropriate and the government's curriculum & assessment review should look carefully at this.
Other assessment methods can sometimes be more appropriate and the government's curriculum & assessment review should look carefully at this.
July 16, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Former NAHT president, Simon Kidwell, spoke to ITV News about the impact testing can have on children's well-being.
Other assessment methods can sometimes be more appropriate and the government's curriculum & assessment review should look carefully at this.
Other assessment methods can sometimes be more appropriate and the government's curriculum & assessment review should look carefully at this.
Reposted by Simon Kidwell
Great from Simon
Not only is it wrong that schools have to subsidise catering from teaching budgets
But the quality of food being offered is unquestionably getting worse
No one can justifiably claim school food is nutritious
Which undermines any notion it brings health or attainment benefits
Not only is it wrong that schools have to subsidise catering from teaching budgets
But the quality of food being offered is unquestionably getting worse
No one can justifiably claim school food is nutritious
Which undermines any notion it brings health or attainment benefits
This week I spoke to BBC Breakfast about the important of providing schools with adequate funding for school meals.
NAHT past president Simon Kidwell appeared on BBC Breakfast this morning to talk about the challenges faced by schools in deficit over school meal funding and the risk that nutritional standards could fall as a result.
July 13, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Great from Simon
Not only is it wrong that schools have to subsidise catering from teaching budgets
But the quality of food being offered is unquestionably getting worse
No one can justifiably claim school food is nutritious
Which undermines any notion it brings health or attainment benefits
Not only is it wrong that schools have to subsidise catering from teaching budgets
But the quality of food being offered is unquestionably getting worse
No one can justifiably claim school food is nutritious
Which undermines any notion it brings health or attainment benefits
This week I spoke to BBC Breakfast about the important of providing schools with adequate funding for school meals.
NAHT past president Simon Kidwell appeared on BBC Breakfast this morning to talk about the challenges faced by schools in deficit over school meal funding and the risk that nutritional standards could fall as a result.
July 13, 2025 at 7:06 AM
This week I spoke to BBC Breakfast about the important of providing schools with adequate funding for school meals.
Reposted by Simon Kidwell
NAHT Ballot
After three brilliant years serving as part of the NAHT Presidential Team, my Executive term of office comes to an end this August.
If you’re a member in the North West, please consider voting for me in the latest round of postal elections for our National Executive.
After three brilliant years serving as part of the NAHT Presidential Team, my Executive term of office comes to an end this August.
If you’re a member in the North West, please consider voting for me in the latest round of postal elections for our National Executive.
July 10, 2025 at 6:32 PM
NAHT Ballot
After three brilliant years serving as part of the NAHT Presidential Team, my Executive term of office comes to an end this August.
If you’re a member in the North West, please consider voting for me in the latest round of postal elections for our National Executive.
After three brilliant years serving as part of the NAHT Presidential Team, my Executive term of office comes to an end this August.
If you’re a member in the North West, please consider voting for me in the latest round of postal elections for our National Executive.
NAHT Ballot
After three brilliant years serving as part of the NAHT Presidential Team, my Executive term of office comes to an end this August.
If you’re a member in the North West, please consider voting for me in the latest round of postal elections for our National Executive.
After three brilliant years serving as part of the NAHT Presidential Team, my Executive term of office comes to an end this August.
If you’re a member in the North West, please consider voting for me in the latest round of postal elections for our National Executive.
July 10, 2025 at 6:32 PM
NAHT Ballot
After three brilliant years serving as part of the NAHT Presidential Team, my Executive term of office comes to an end this August.
If you’re a member in the North West, please consider voting for me in the latest round of postal elections for our National Executive.
After three brilliant years serving as part of the NAHT Presidential Team, my Executive term of office comes to an end this August.
If you’re a member in the North West, please consider voting for me in the latest round of postal elections for our National Executive.
Reposted by Simon Kidwell
NAHT past president Simon Kidwell appeared on BBC Breakfast this morning to talk about the challenges faced by schools in deficit over school meal funding and the risk that nutritional standards could fall as a result.
July 9, 2025 at 3:26 PM
NAHT past president Simon Kidwell appeared on BBC Breakfast this morning to talk about the challenges faced by schools in deficit over school meal funding and the risk that nutritional standards could fall as a result.
We’ve hit 66 miles on our #Hartford100mile ride with 16 amazing Hartford Manor parents! 🚴♂️🚴♀️
We’re at 95% of our fundraising goal — help us reach 100%! 🙌 using the link below:
We’re at 95% of our fundraising goal — help us reach 100%! 🙌 using the link below:
July 6, 2025 at 2:54 PM
We’ve hit 66 miles on our #Hartford100mile ride with 16 amazing Hartford Manor parents! 🚴♂️🚴♀️
We’re at 95% of our fundraising goal — help us reach 100%! 🙌 using the link below:
We’re at 95% of our fundraising goal — help us reach 100%! 🙌 using the link below:
Reposted by Simon Kidwell
Fantastic news on Labour extending FSM eligibility to everyone claiming Universal Credit
@bphillipsonmp.bsky.social making a bold and positive move that will unquestionably help address child poverty
This is long overdue and credit must go to DfE
But… there are still some details that need work
@bphillipsonmp.bsky.social making a bold and positive move that will unquestionably help address child poverty
This is long overdue and credit must go to DfE
But… there are still some details that need work
June 4, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Fantastic news on Labour extending FSM eligibility to everyone claiming Universal Credit
@bphillipsonmp.bsky.social making a bold and positive move that will unquestionably help address child poverty
This is long overdue and credit must go to DfE
But… there are still some details that need work
@bphillipsonmp.bsky.social making a bold and positive move that will unquestionably help address child poverty
This is long overdue and credit must go to DfE
But… there are still some details that need work
Three years ago today… the country was celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 🇬🇧
I celebrated with a wild camping trip to the Lake District. Just me, this view, and total silence.
I celebrated with a wild camping trip to the Lake District. Just me, this view, and total silence.
June 3, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Three years ago today… the country was celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 🇬🇧
I celebrated with a wild camping trip to the Lake District. Just me, this view, and total silence.
I celebrated with a wild camping trip to the Lake District. Just me, this view, and total silence.
Great news!
Andrew is an innovative thinker and an authentic leader. His deep experience working directly with his school community will make him a powerful voice at the heart of education policy. schoolsweek.co.uk/headteacher-...
Andrew is an innovative thinker and an authentic leader. His deep experience working directly with his school community will make him a powerful voice at the heart of education policy. schoolsweek.co.uk/headteacher-...
Maintained school head lands new DfE adviser role
Andrew O'Neill will deliver 'frontline expertise directly into the heart of policy-making', government says
schoolsweek.co.uk
June 2, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Great news!
Andrew is an innovative thinker and an authentic leader. His deep experience working directly with his school community will make him a powerful voice at the heart of education policy. schoolsweek.co.uk/headteacher-...
Andrew is an innovative thinker and an authentic leader. His deep experience working directly with his school community will make him a powerful voice at the heart of education policy. schoolsweek.co.uk/headteacher-...
The RNLI 100 km route with the Three Bromptoneers.
June 1, 2025 at 2:38 PM
The RNLI 100 km route with the Three Bromptoneers.
It’s the #ThreeShires RNLI Sportive today. I’m hoping to finish the 100km route on my @bromptonbicycle.bsky.social
June 1, 2025 at 6:38 AM
It’s the #ThreeShires RNLI Sportive today. I’m hoping to finish the 100km route on my @bromptonbicycle.bsky.social
Reposted by Simon Kidwell
This a fantastic piece from @samgibbs.bsky.social. It’s so important to look at the brilliant expertise from within rather than assuming that paying someone on the outside to deliver an off-the-shelf approach is going to be your silver-bullet. It isn’t.
‘We need to stop assuming that the most worthwhile professional learning always comes from outside the school’: @samgibbs.bsky.social on why more teacher CPD should be delivered by teachers
Why schools can’t rely on external CPD
To ensure the best professional development for teachers now and in the future, it needs to come from within the profession and should not be dictated by government, writes Sam Gibbs
www.tes.com
May 28, 2025 at 3:56 PM
This a fantastic piece from @samgibbs.bsky.social. It’s so important to look at the brilliant expertise from within rather than assuming that paying someone on the outside to deliver an off-the-shelf approach is going to be your silver-bullet. It isn’t.
Reposted by Simon Kidwell
Talk of a reshuffle may have the education secretary’s detractors excited, but it would be bad news for a sector in desperate need of stable leadership.
bit.ly/4mya5Tn
bit.ly/4mya5Tn
Talk of a reshuffle should have the sector worried
Even the education secretary's detractors wouldn't benefit from another change at the top
bit.ly
May 27, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Talk of a reshuffle may have the education secretary’s detractors excited, but it would be bad news for a sector in desperate need of stable leadership.
bit.ly/4mya5Tn
bit.ly/4mya5Tn
Reposted by Simon Kidwell
In my @schoolsweek.bsky.social OpEd piece, I argue why Labour must back Bridget Phillipson — and why stable leadership is key to real change in schools.
schoolsweek.co.uk/continuity-a...
schoolsweek.co.uk/continuity-a...
Talk of a reshuffle should have the sector worried
Even the education secretary's detractors wouldn't benefit from another change at the top
schoolsweek.co.uk
May 25, 2025 at 6:19 AM
In my @schoolsweek.bsky.social OpEd piece, I argue why Labour must back Bridget Phillipson — and why stable leadership is key to real change in schools.
schoolsweek.co.uk/continuity-a...
schoolsweek.co.uk/continuity-a...
Reposted by Simon Kidwell
As the calls to reinstate Sure Start grow louder, @ruthswailes.bsky.social outlines the lasting effects it had for those who used its services in the 2000s; 'reducing services means reducing friendships.'
A very personal blog: getting by with a little help from our friends
When Ruth’s husband was diagnosed with cancer, friends she’d made via Sure Start rallied round. But what about today’s young families?
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
May 25, 2025 at 4:23 PM
As the calls to reinstate Sure Start grow louder, @ruthswailes.bsky.social outlines the lasting effects it had for those who used its services in the 2000s; 'reducing services means reducing friendships.'
Reposted by Simon Kidwell
Agree entirely with this piece- we need stability, not a conveyor belt of ministers.
‘More than ever, what education needs is long-term strategy shaped by those on the front line. Only through sustained, stable leadership can we secure meaningful and lasting improvement in our education system.’
‘More than ever, what education needs is long-term strategy shaped by those on the front line. Only through sustained, stable leadership can we secure meaningful and lasting improvement in our education system.’
In my @schoolsweek.bsky.social OpEd piece, I argue why Labour must back Bridget Phillipson — and why stable leadership is key to real change in schools.
schoolsweek.co.uk/continuity-a...
schoolsweek.co.uk/continuity-a...
Talk of a reshuffle should have the sector worried
Even the education secretary's detractors wouldn't benefit from another change at the top
schoolsweek.co.uk
May 25, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Agree entirely with this piece- we need stability, not a conveyor belt of ministers.
‘More than ever, what education needs is long-term strategy shaped by those on the front line. Only through sustained, stable leadership can we secure meaningful and lasting improvement in our education system.’
‘More than ever, what education needs is long-term strategy shaped by those on the front line. Only through sustained, stable leadership can we secure meaningful and lasting improvement in our education system.’
In my @schoolsweek.bsky.social OpEd piece, I argue why Labour must back Bridget Phillipson — and why stable leadership is key to real change in schools.
schoolsweek.co.uk/continuity-a...
schoolsweek.co.uk/continuity-a...
Talk of a reshuffle should have the sector worried
Even the education secretary's detractors wouldn't benefit from another change at the top
schoolsweek.co.uk
May 25, 2025 at 6:19 AM
In my @schoolsweek.bsky.social OpEd piece, I argue why Labour must back Bridget Phillipson — and why stable leadership is key to real change in schools.
schoolsweek.co.uk/continuity-a...
schoolsweek.co.uk/continuity-a...
What’s weekend! The Traws Eryri is one the toughest physical challenges I’ve experienced. 128miles, 14000ft of climbing and some of the most testing gravel trails in the UK.
May 11, 2025 at 7:50 PM
What’s weekend! The Traws Eryri is one the toughest physical challenges I’ve experienced. 128miles, 14000ft of climbing and some of the most testing gravel trails in the UK.
Heading over to Snowdonia for my next cycling adventure tonight. The Traws Eryri - 2 days, 200km and over 4000m of climbing.
youtu.be/OayV3zZZiwI?...
youtu.be/OayV3zZZiwI?...
Can Si Survive A 200km Mountain Adventure? | Gravel Bike VS Traws Eryri Route
YouTube video by Global Cycling Network
youtu.be
May 9, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Heading over to Snowdonia for my next cycling adventure tonight. The Traws Eryri - 2 days, 200km and over 4000m of climbing.
youtu.be/OayV3zZZiwI?...
youtu.be/OayV3zZZiwI?...
Back from a fantastic @naht.org.uk National Conference where I met so many inspiring School Leaders doing amazing work in our schools.
A personal highlight was introducing one of my cycling heroes, and National Active Travel Commissioner, @chrisboardman.bsky.social
A personal highlight was introducing one of my cycling heroes, and National Active Travel Commissioner, @chrisboardman.bsky.social
May 5, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Back from a fantastic @naht.org.uk National Conference where I met so many inspiring School Leaders doing amazing work in our schools.
A personal highlight was introducing one of my cycling heroes, and National Active Travel Commissioner, @chrisboardman.bsky.social
A personal highlight was introducing one of my cycling heroes, and National Active Travel Commissioner, @chrisboardman.bsky.social
Reposted by Simon Kidwell
Multiple, simultaneous challenges are testing the government’s ability to lead & improve lives. Ultimately, the success of any gov. should be judged by how it improves the lives of young people. This week, I spoke to @johnharris1969.bsky.social about child poverty & its impact on schools.
NAHT immediate past president, Simon Kidwell, appeared on the Guardian podcast to discuss child poverty and school breakfast clubs.
Listen here: bit.ly/4lIPgnB
Listen here: bit.ly/4lIPgnB
Will rising child poverty be Labour’s legacy? – Politics Weekly UK
The government began to roll out its free breakfast club scheme this week as part of plans to help struggling families. But with predictions that child poverty could increase by the end of this parlia...
bit.ly
April 26, 2025 at 5:32 AM
Multiple, simultaneous challenges are testing the government’s ability to lead & improve lives. Ultimately, the success of any gov. should be judged by how it improves the lives of young people. This week, I spoke to @johnharris1969.bsky.social about child poverty & its impact on schools.