yzfreeman.bsky.social
@yzfreeman.bsky.social
Reposted by yzfreeman.bsky.social
I’ve made an Ofsted toolkit breakdown with evidence ideas for each section (although there’s no need to prepare evidence for them coming). If you’d like it, drop me a DM. Hopefully no one will!
October 6, 2025 at 6:19 AM
I’ve made an Ofsted toolkit breakdown with evidence ideas for each section (although there’s no need to prepare evidence for them coming). If you’d like it, drop me a DM. Hopefully no one will!
Reposted by yzfreeman.bsky.social
Here's my best practice guidance:
- are minoritised groups overrepresented?
- are kids shunted in to avoid accountability?
- is the curriculum the same?
- are leaders held to account for high expectations?
- is it staffed by the best trained and paid person?
schoolsweek.co.uk/best-practic...
- are minoritised groups overrepresented?
- are kids shunted in to avoid accountability?
- is the curriculum the same?
- are leaders held to account for high expectations?
- is it staffed by the best trained and paid person?
schoolsweek.co.uk/best-practic...
SEND: Guidance on mainstream school units to be published
The government will publish 'best practice' guidance for mainstream schools to open and run SEN units, resourced provision and pupil support units in February.
schoolsweek.co.uk
October 6, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Here's my best practice guidance:
- are minoritised groups overrepresented?
- are kids shunted in to avoid accountability?
- is the curriculum the same?
- are leaders held to account for high expectations?
- is it staffed by the best trained and paid person?
schoolsweek.co.uk/best-practic...
- are minoritised groups overrepresented?
- are kids shunted in to avoid accountability?
- is the curriculum the same?
- are leaders held to account for high expectations?
- is it staffed by the best trained and paid person?
schoolsweek.co.uk/best-practic...
Reposted by yzfreeman.bsky.social
August 15, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Reposted by yzfreeman.bsky.social
🧵How much does prior knowledge really matter for learning? A new study challenges one of the most foundational ideas in education: that the more you know, the more you can know. The results are pretty shocking. Here's why it really surprised me ⬇️
May 22, 2025 at 8:51 AM
🧵How much does prior knowledge really matter for learning? A new study challenges one of the most foundational ideas in education: that the more you know, the more you can know. The results are pretty shocking. Here's why it really surprised me ⬇️
Reposted by yzfreeman.bsky.social
Reading literacy decline in Europe: School closures hurt, but so did fewer books, less reading at home, and more multilingual classrooms. Sweden, which kept schools open, tells a different story. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
May 22, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Reading literacy decline in Europe: School closures hurt, but so did fewer books, less reading at home, and more multilingual classrooms. Sweden, which kept schools open, tells a different story. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by yzfreeman.bsky.social
In educational research we are often unclear on on our definitions and concepts, which makes it harder to develop a coherent knowledge base. New article on why teacher effectiveness research often shows small effect sizes. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Conceptualizing teaching quality: problems, prospects, and a proposal for moving forward
Empirical studies in teaching effectiveness research (TER) have largely yielded small and inconsistent effects. To better understand and explain these effects, we argue that it is core to consider ...
www.tandfonline.com
May 22, 2025 at 9:56 AM
In educational research we are often unclear on on our definitions and concepts, which makes it harder to develop a coherent knowledge base. New article on why teacher effectiveness research often shows small effect sizes. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Extremely troubling study on the literacy skills of college English majors in the USA, which I suspect is not dissimilar to the UK in this regard. h/t @kitten_beloved in the other place.
open.substack.com/pub/kittenbe...
open.substack.com/pub/kittenbe...
College English majors can't read
They have one job and they can't do it
open.substack.com
May 22, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Extremely troubling study on the literacy skills of college English majors in the USA, which I suspect is not dissimilar to the UK in this regard. h/t @kitten_beloved in the other place.
open.substack.com/pub/kittenbe...
open.substack.com/pub/kittenbe...
Reposted by yzfreeman.bsky.social
In which I confess my early struggles with reading
May 18, 2025 at 10:32 AM
In which I confess my early struggles with reading
Reposted by yzfreeman.bsky.social
Interesting ‘Areas of Research Interest (2025)’ published by the Department for Education
The ‘every child achieving and thriving’ section stood out.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6809f7...
The ‘every child achieving and thriving’ section stood out.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6809f7...
April 26, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Interesting ‘Areas of Research Interest (2025)’ published by the Department for Education
The ‘every child achieving and thriving’ section stood out.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6809f7...
The ‘every child achieving and thriving’ section stood out.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6809f7...
Reposted by yzfreeman.bsky.social
Five Ways: Components of Building Schema teacherhead.com/2025/04/26/f...
Five Ways: Components of Building Schema
I find the concept of schema-building incredibly useful when thinking about curriculum design and teaching. It’s a really a spatial metaphor more than anything physical/concrete – but i…
teacherhead.com
April 26, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Five Ways: Components of Building Schema teacherhead.com/2025/04/26/f...
Reposted by yzfreeman.bsky.social
Now available to everyone.
Thursday's blog post.
Unenforced Rules Part 3: School Uniforms open.substack.com/pub/andrewol...
Thursday's blog post.
Unenforced Rules Part 3: School Uniforms open.substack.com/pub/andrewol...
Unenforced Rules Part 3: School Uniforms
Which rules often get ignored?
open.substack.com
April 26, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Now available to everyone.
Thursday's blog post.
Unenforced Rules Part 3: School Uniforms open.substack.com/pub/andrewol...
Thursday's blog post.
Unenforced Rules Part 3: School Uniforms open.substack.com/pub/andrewol...
Reposted by yzfreeman.bsky.social
Part 2 of why we need schools
open.substack.com/pub/daviddid...
open.substack.com/pub/daviddid...
Why do we need schools? Part 2
Why some things are easy to learn but others are hard
open.substack.com
April 22, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Part 2 of why we need schools
open.substack.com/pub/daviddid...
open.substack.com/pub/daviddid...
Reposted by yzfreeman.bsky.social
Deployment and Dialogue: Engaging TAs to Improve Practice
Engaging teaching assistants in the deployment of teaching assistants
researchschool.org.uk/bradford/new...
Engaging teaching assistants in the deployment of teaching assistants
researchschool.org.uk/bradford/new...
Deployment and Dialogue: Engaging TAs to Improve Practice
Engaging teaching assistants in the deployment of teaching assistants
researchschool.org.uk
April 22, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Deployment and Dialogue: Engaging TAs to Improve Practice
Engaging teaching assistants in the deployment of teaching assistants
researchschool.org.uk/bradford/new...
Engaging teaching assistants in the deployment of teaching assistants
researchschool.org.uk/bradford/new...
Reposted by yzfreeman.bsky.social
It’s here! The first blog in the Bridging the Gap series written by the brilliant @jillberry102.bsky.social and @catrplace.bsky.social. The first blog explores the question…
How can reflective practice support and develop teachers?
edublogger.wixsite.com/bridgingthegap
#EduBlogUK #EduSky
How can reflective practice support and develop teachers?
edublogger.wixsite.com/bridgingthegap
#EduBlogUK #EduSky
Home | Bridging The Gap
edublogger.wixsite.com
April 14, 2025 at 6:32 AM
It’s here! The first blog in the Bridging the Gap series written by the brilliant @jillberry102.bsky.social and @catrplace.bsky.social. The first blog explores the question…
How can reflective practice support and develop teachers?
edublogger.wixsite.com/bridgingthegap
#EduBlogUK #EduSky
How can reflective practice support and develop teachers?
edublogger.wixsite.com/bridgingthegap
#EduBlogUK #EduSky
Reposted by yzfreeman.bsky.social
An alternative consultation of headteachers, teachers and parents has cast fresh criticism on Ofsted’s school report cards.
9 in 10 of those polled rejected Ofsted’s five-point grading scale and the new top grade of “exemplary”, dubbing them “unfit for purpose”.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
9 in 10 of those polled rejected Ofsted’s five-point grading scale and the new top grade of “exemplary”, dubbing them “unfit for purpose”.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Ofsted report cards ‘unfit for purpose’, finds ‘alternative’ consultation
Ofsted’s proposed changes to school inspection have been rejected by most of those who took part in a poll launched by two former inspectors
www.tes.com
April 22, 2025 at 11:41 AM
An alternative consultation of headteachers, teachers and parents has cast fresh criticism on Ofsted’s school report cards.
9 in 10 of those polled rejected Ofsted’s five-point grading scale and the new top grade of “exemplary”, dubbing them “unfit for purpose”.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
9 in 10 of those polled rejected Ofsted’s five-point grading scale and the new top grade of “exemplary”, dubbing them “unfit for purpose”.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by yzfreeman.bsky.social
Nearly two-thirds of those who responded to an 'alternative' consultation on Ofsted’s inspection reforms felt the proposed changes would be worse than the current framework buff.ly/g9g90fs
Most say Ofsted reforms are worse, 'alternative' consultation finds
Nearly two thirds of respondents to a consultation set up to rival Ofsted’s own on inspection reforms said the changes were actually worse than the current framework. The ‘Alternative Big…
buff.ly
April 22, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Nearly two-thirds of those who responded to an 'alternative' consultation on Ofsted’s inspection reforms felt the proposed changes would be worse than the current framework buff.ly/g9g90fs
Reposted by yzfreeman.bsky.social
Both articles brought together in this piece by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
4/4
Report card grading ‘needs simplifying’, admits Ofsted
Ofsted outlines potential changes to its controversial school inspection plans
www.tes.com
April 22, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Both articles brought together in this piece by @cerysturner.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
4/4
Reposted by yzfreeman.bsky.social
Precision. Because hopeful vagueness isn't (good) enough. teacherhead.com/2025/04/05/p...
Precision. Because hopeful vagueness isn’t (good) enough.
I’m coming back to blogging after a big hiatus and finding several times that an idea for a blog post has struck me – only to find I’d written about it already! Teaching issues do…
teacherhead.com
April 5, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Precision. Because hopeful vagueness isn't (good) enough. teacherhead.com/2025/04/05/p...
Reposted by yzfreeman.bsky.social
In case you missed it;
Thursday's blog post.
Unenforced Rules Part 1: Lesson Expectations
Thursday's blog post.
Unenforced Rules Part 1: Lesson Expectations
Unenforced Rules Part 1: Lesson Expectations
Which rules are frequently ignored?
open.substack.com
April 5, 2025 at 5:42 PM
In case you missed it;
Thursday's blog post.
Unenforced Rules Part 1: Lesson Expectations
Thursday's blog post.
Unenforced Rules Part 1: Lesson Expectations
Reposted by yzfreeman.bsky.social
I feel like I am becoming a stuck record on this, but the argument that a greater range of @ofstednews.bsky.social grades will drive schools to higher standards rests on some assumptions which are questionable at best. Here are some of them...
Chief inspector Martyn Oliver has defended @ofstednews.bsky.social plan for 5 different inspection grades, saying he doesn’t want to simply tell schools they have met a standard ‘and that’s good enough'
Ofsted chief rejects call for fewer inspection grades
In response to pressure to cut the proposed number of grades, Sir Martyn Oliver says he does not want schools to be told they have met a standard 'and that's good enough'
www.tes.com
April 1, 2025 at 5:08 PM
I feel like I am becoming a stuck record on this, but the argument that a greater range of @ofstednews.bsky.social grades will drive schools to higher standards rests on some assumptions which are questionable at best. Here are some of them...
Reposted by yzfreeman.bsky.social
Reading through Madeline Hunter’s books from the 60s and 70s. Fantastic stuff. Her whole focus is on teacher decision making and that effective instructional design as not just a means of better learning for students but also as a means of ensuring teachers didn’t have excessive workload.
March 13, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Reading through Madeline Hunter’s books from the 60s and 70s. Fantastic stuff. Her whole focus is on teacher decision making and that effective instructional design as not just a means of better learning for students but also as a means of ensuring teachers didn’t have excessive workload.
Reposted by yzfreeman.bsky.social
*NEW* It's always better to know learningspy.co.uk/featured/its... First blog in MONTHS
March 12, 2025 at 8:44 PM
*NEW* It's always better to know learningspy.co.uk/featured/its... First blog in MONTHS
Teachers, Heads and school leaders: Great sounding new Substack blog on Assessment just landed from
@head-teach.bsky.social & @profbeckyallen.bsky.social: 100assessment.substack.com Go on: You know you want to subscribe!
@head-teach.bsky.social & @profbeckyallen.bsky.social: 100assessment.substack.com Go on: You know you want to subscribe!
100% Assessment | Matthew Evans | Substack
Assessment insights for schools. Click to read 100% Assessment, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.
100assessment.substack.com
February 24, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Teachers, Heads and school leaders: Great sounding new Substack blog on Assessment just landed from
@head-teach.bsky.social & @profbeckyallen.bsky.social: 100assessment.substack.com Go on: You know you want to subscribe!
@head-teach.bsky.social & @profbeckyallen.bsky.social: 100assessment.substack.com Go on: You know you want to subscribe!
Reposted by yzfreeman.bsky.social
It's half term, which means I have a copy of Primary Reading Simplified to give away.
Simply *repost* this post for your chance to win.
I will choose a winner at random this Saturday (22nd February).
Simply *repost* this post for your chance to win.
I will choose a winner at random this Saturday (22nd February).
February 17, 2025 at 2:15 PM
It's half term, which means I have a copy of Primary Reading Simplified to give away.
Simply *repost* this post for your chance to win.
I will choose a winner at random this Saturday (22nd February).
Simply *repost* this post for your chance to win.
I will choose a winner at random this Saturday (22nd February).
Reposted by yzfreeman.bsky.social
Exclusive: @naht.org.uk has defended producing a template response to the Ofsted consultation for its members, saying the consultation shows a 'complete disregard' for the workload of school leaders
Heads’ leaders defend organised opposition to Ofsted plans
In response to a school leaders’ union producing a template response to the Ofsted consultation, the watchdog says it wants to hear the views of individuals instead
www.tes.com
February 17, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Exclusive: @naht.org.uk has defended producing a template response to the Ofsted consultation for its members, saying the consultation shows a 'complete disregard' for the workload of school leaders