Heather Fearn
@heatherbellaf.bsky.social
Director of curriculum and assessment for MAT.
Is there anything I thought I came up with myself that I won’t one day stumble on in a 2017 @michaelfordham.bsky.social blog? It’s like that Keynes quote. Today its this particular schema depiction.
August 7, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Is there anything I thought I came up with myself that I won’t one day stumble on in a 2017 @michaelfordham.bsky.social blog? It’s like that Keynes quote. Today its this particular schema depiction.
Reposted by Heather Fearn
These are big numbers. Subjects come first, expectedly.
May 2, 2025 at 7:11 PM
These are big numbers. Subjects come first, expectedly.
There have been 1,038,405 unique downloads of
@Ofstednews
subject research reviews and subject reports.
In school, we learn through subjects and we improve the quality of children's education by improving that subject teaching. This is the reality these numbers speak to. Enormous demand!
@Ofstednews
subject research reviews and subject reports.
In school, we learn through subjects and we improve the quality of children's education by improving that subject teaching. This is the reality these numbers speak to. Enormous demand!
May 2, 2025 at 6:29 PM
There have been 1,038,405 unique downloads of
@Ofstednews
subject research reviews and subject reports.
In school, we learn through subjects and we improve the quality of children's education by improving that subject teaching. This is the reality these numbers speak to. Enormous demand!
@Ofstednews
subject research reviews and subject reports.
In school, we learn through subjects and we improve the quality of children's education by improving that subject teaching. This is the reality these numbers speak to. Enormous demand!
I’ve used a Freedom of Information request to find out how many unique downloads there have been of the
@Ofstednews
subject Research Reviews and Subject Reports.
How many downloads do you think there have been of these subject docs?
@Ofstednews
subject Research Reviews and Subject Reports.
How many downloads do you think there have been of these subject docs?
May 2, 2025 at 4:26 PM
I’ve used a Freedom of Information request to find out how many unique downloads there have been of the
@Ofstednews
subject Research Reviews and Subject Reports.
How many downloads do you think there have been of these subject docs?
@Ofstednews
subject Research Reviews and Subject Reports.
How many downloads do you think there have been of these subject docs?
My little spring garden under the oak. Final phase.
April 30, 2025 at 6:59 AM
My little spring garden under the oak. Final phase.
Yes, subjects need their own take on CURRICULUM using the 'cogsci revolution' - not just pedagogy.
I'm not so keen on the drive to leap just pedagogical, rather than curricular, insights using cog psych which happens even in this article.
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
I'm not so keen on the drive to leap just pedagogical, rather than curricular, insights using cog psych which happens even in this article.
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Why subjects need their own take on the ‘cogsci revolution’
While the use of cognitive science research can aid teaching, it needs to be filtered and combined with the unique demands of individual subjects, argue Mike Hobbiss and Paul Cline
www.tes.com
April 23, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Yes, subjects need their own take on CURRICULUM using the 'cogsci revolution' - not just pedagogy.
I'm not so keen on the drive to leap just pedagogical, rather than curricular, insights using cog psych which happens even in this article.
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
I'm not so keen on the drive to leap just pedagogical, rather than curricular, insights using cog psych which happens even in this article.
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Reposted by Heather Fearn
Cinderella must go to the ball. This says Dr Richard Kueh regarding RE www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
RE: the Cinderella subject that needs to go to the ball
Religious education is often an afterthought, but it’s a subject that can have a profound, important impact on understanding the world, says this former senior Ofsted inspector
www.tes.com
April 19, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Cinderella must go to the ball. This says Dr Richard Kueh regarding RE www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Much love in Australia for Ofsted’s research reviews and subject reports. Used by some everywhere I go.
I’m thrilled and so proud of our team that put together these seminal documents that enable new discussion of quality edu, by subject, that takes account of what we now know about cognition.
I’m thrilled and so proud of our team that put together these seminal documents that enable new discussion of quality edu, by subject, that takes account of what we now know about cognition.
documents.to
March 30, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Much love in Australia for Ofsted’s research reviews and subject reports. Used by some everywhere I go.
I’m thrilled and so proud of our team that put together these seminal documents that enable new discussion of quality edu, by subject, that takes account of what we now know about cognition.
I’m thrilled and so proud of our team that put together these seminal documents that enable new discussion of quality edu, by subject, that takes account of what we now know about cognition.
I have to be about the luckiest curriculum geek. I’m now in Sydney’s Blue Mountains for Learning First’s Curriculum Implementation Conference with states systems leaders all talking curriculum. It’s a truly exciting time in Australian education.
March 30, 2025 at 7:27 AM
I have to be about the luckiest curriculum geek. I’m now in Sydney’s Blue Mountains for Learning First’s Curriculum Implementation Conference with states systems leaders all talking curriculum. It’s a truly exciting time in Australian education.
Yes. First time I’ve read an article on Ofsted that gets what sits behind inspection reliability and validity.
"A rompingly good read" <<< I will take that, thank you. Do judge for yourself by reading my @schoolsweek.bsky.social column - schoolsweek.co.uk/can-ofsted-l...
March 17, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Yes. First time I’ve read an article on Ofsted that gets what sits behind inspection reliability and validity.
Reposted by Heather Fearn
A bird with true conceptual understanding of what it means to fly.
@oldandrewuk.bsky.social @mayak46.bsky.social @katharinebeals.bsky.social @paulkirschner.bsky.social @carlhendrick.substack.com @paulkirschner.bsky.social @nsachdeva.bsky.social @heatherbellaf.bsky.social @gregashman.bsky.social
@oldandrewuk.bsky.social @mayak46.bsky.social @katharinebeals.bsky.social @paulkirschner.bsky.social @carlhendrick.substack.com @paulkirschner.bsky.social @nsachdeva.bsky.social @heatherbellaf.bsky.social @gregashman.bsky.social
February 24, 2025 at 5:13 PM
A bird with true conceptual understanding of what it means to fly.
@oldandrewuk.bsky.social @mayak46.bsky.social @katharinebeals.bsky.social @paulkirschner.bsky.social @carlhendrick.substack.com @paulkirschner.bsky.social @nsachdeva.bsky.social @heatherbellaf.bsky.social @gregashman.bsky.social
@oldandrewuk.bsky.social @mayak46.bsky.social @katharinebeals.bsky.social @paulkirschner.bsky.social @carlhendrick.substack.com @paulkirschner.bsky.social @nsachdeva.bsky.social @heatherbellaf.bsky.social @gregashman.bsky.social
Reposted by Heather Fearn
I’ve been digging into the quality of EHCPs, plans that parents are dragged through court sometimes to obtain, and that are bankrupting councils
What’s actually in them? Are they good quality? Personalised? Include interventions backed by evidence? Are they fully funded?
The answer often is no
What’s actually in them? Are they good quality? Personalised? Include interventions backed by evidence? Are they fully funded?
The answer often is no
Special investigation: Interventions lacking evidence, copy and paste plans, health and social care missing - Schools Week reveals how EHCPs are failing vulnerable children
Investigation: How EHCPs fail our most vulnerable children
England now spends nearly £11 billion providing education for children with additional needs. But what does the funding in EHCPs actually get spent on?
buff.ly
March 7, 2025 at 5:54 AM
I’ve been digging into the quality of EHCPs, plans that parents are dragged through court sometimes to obtain, and that are bankrupting councils
What’s actually in them? Are they good quality? Personalised? Include interventions backed by evidence? Are they fully funded?
The answer often is no
What’s actually in them? Are they good quality? Personalised? Include interventions backed by evidence? Are they fully funded?
The answer often is no
Reposted by Heather Fearn
The SW investigation might be the most important one they've ever run. It's an incredible piece of work and the results are truly shocking. Everyone should read it.
I’ve been digging into the quality of EHCPs, plans that parents are dragged through court sometimes to obtain, and that are bankrupting councils
What’s actually in them? Are they good quality? Personalised? Include interventions backed by evidence? Are they fully funded?
The answer often is no
What’s actually in them? Are they good quality? Personalised? Include interventions backed by evidence? Are they fully funded?
The answer often is no
Special investigation: Interventions lacking evidence, copy and paste plans, health and social care missing - Schools Week reveals how EHCPs are failing vulnerable children
March 7, 2025 at 7:32 AM
The SW investigation might be the most important one they've ever run. It's an incredible piece of work and the results are truly shocking. Everyone should read it.
Reposted by Heather Fearn
New blog! ‘The Teachers’ knowledge that has no name’.
What should we call this knowledge?
heatherfblog.wordpress.com/2025/02/23/t...
With special thanks to @michaelfordham.bsky.social
What should we call this knowledge?
heatherfblog.wordpress.com/2025/02/23/t...
With special thanks to @michaelfordham.bsky.social
February 23, 2025 at 10:55 AM
New blog! ‘The Teachers’ knowledge that has no name’.
What should we call this knowledge?
heatherfblog.wordpress.com/2025/02/23/t...
With special thanks to @michaelfordham.bsky.social
What should we call this knowledge?
heatherfblog.wordpress.com/2025/02/23/t...
With special thanks to @michaelfordham.bsky.social
Reposted by Heather Fearn
Your final bit on the importance of co-planning highlights why schools serious about curriculum and T&L need to devote as much time as possible to subject team meetings, and to ensure 90% of the time is spent discussing it (and not ESPO, data, behaviour, and other ephemeral asides)
February 23, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Your final bit on the importance of co-planning highlights why schools serious about curriculum and T&L need to devote as much time as possible to subject team meetings, and to ensure 90% of the time is spent discussing it (and not ESPO, data, behaviour, and other ephemeral asides)
Why does crucial teacher knowledge have no name? What should we call it? heatherfblog.wordpress.com/2025/02/23/t...
February 23, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Why does crucial teacher knowledge have no name? What should we call it? heatherfblog.wordpress.com/2025/02/23/t...
Reposted by Heather Fearn
Outstanding blog. Detailed explanation of why so many of the trainees I've met with excellent academic credentials struggle to explain complex/abstract material.
They don't know what the students should already know or what they need next.
They don't know what the students should already know or what they need next.
New blog! ‘The Teachers’ knowledge that has no name’.
What should we call this knowledge?
heatherfblog.wordpress.com/2025/02/23/t...
With special thanks to @michaelfordham.bsky.social
What should we call this knowledge?
heatherfblog.wordpress.com/2025/02/23/t...
With special thanks to @michaelfordham.bsky.social
February 23, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Outstanding blog. Detailed explanation of why so many of the trainees I've met with excellent academic credentials struggle to explain complex/abstract material.
They don't know what the students should already know or what they need next.
They don't know what the students should already know or what they need next.
New blog! ‘The Teachers’ knowledge that has no name’.
What should we call this knowledge?
heatherfblog.wordpress.com/2025/02/23/t...
With special thanks to @michaelfordham.bsky.social
What should we call this knowledge?
heatherfblog.wordpress.com/2025/02/23/t...
With special thanks to @michaelfordham.bsky.social
February 23, 2025 at 10:55 AM
New blog! ‘The Teachers’ knowledge that has no name’.
What should we call this knowledge?
heatherfblog.wordpress.com/2025/02/23/t...
With special thanks to @michaelfordham.bsky.social
What should we call this knowledge?
heatherfblog.wordpress.com/2025/02/23/t...
With special thanks to @michaelfordham.bsky.social
Reposted by Heather Fearn
Thank you to everyone who came to our second Ark Soane History conference yesterday. It was such a joy to see so many history teacher colleagues together.
As always, I’m proudest of our pupils who were so keen to help and talk about history. What a lovely day. #Soane25
As always, I’m proudest of our pupils who were so keen to help and talk about history. What a lovely day. #Soane25
February 9, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Thank you to everyone who came to our second Ark Soane History conference yesterday. It was such a joy to see so many history teacher colleagues together.
As always, I’m proudest of our pupils who were so keen to help and talk about history. What a lovely day. #Soane25
As always, I’m proudest of our pupils who were so keen to help and talk about history. What a lovely day. #Soane25
Reposted by Heather Fearn
Brutal takedown of reading policy in Wales and Scotland, as Northern Ireland looks to change course with its new strategy based around phonics.
@kathyrastle.bsky.social makes several important (and apparently still necessary) observations about the evidence on reading.
www.itv.com/news/2025-02...
@kathyrastle.bsky.social makes several important (and apparently still necessary) observations about the evidence on reading.
www.itv.com/news/2025-02...
February 8, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Brutal takedown of reading policy in Wales and Scotland, as Northern Ireland looks to change course with its new strategy based around phonics.
@kathyrastle.bsky.social makes several important (and apparently still necessary) observations about the evidence on reading.
www.itv.com/news/2025-02...
@kathyrastle.bsky.social makes several important (and apparently still necessary) observations about the evidence on reading.
www.itv.com/news/2025-02...
So, we don’t need to look at curriculum quality in small primaries. Because inspection in small primaries is harder we realise we need to inspect less well for them.
Having announced that it will scrap subject deep dives, Ofsted has now admitted that its inspectors found it more ‘challenging’ to carry them out in small primary schools
Deep dives ‘harder’ in small primaries, Ofsted admits
After announcing that it is scrapping subject deep dives, the watchdog says they posed challenges in some schools
www.tes.com
February 4, 2025 at 7:26 PM
So, we don’t need to look at curriculum quality in small primaries. Because inspection in small primaries is harder we realise we need to inspect less well for them.
Reposted by Heather Fearn
I first wrote about this problem 10+ years ago (in fact it's part of the reason Michael & I became friends!)
@counsellc.bsky.social spotted the exact same problem 30 years ago.
Here's a more recent article from me, with a link to Christine's work.
substack.nomoremarking.com/p/the-tyrann...
@counsellc.bsky.social spotted the exact same problem 30 years ago.
Here's a more recent article from me, with a link to Christine's work.
substack.nomoremarking.com/p/the-tyrann...
February 4, 2025 at 5:57 PM
I first wrote about this problem 10+ years ago (in fact it's part of the reason Michael & I became friends!)
@counsellc.bsky.social spotted the exact same problem 30 years ago.
Here's a more recent article from me, with a link to Christine's work.
substack.nomoremarking.com/p/the-tyrann...
@counsellc.bsky.social spotted the exact same problem 30 years ago.
Here's a more recent article from me, with a link to Christine's work.
substack.nomoremarking.com/p/the-tyrann...
Reposted by Heather Fearn
Great stuff from @michaelt1979.bsky.social on proposed Ofsted framework.
I’m now pondering if it’s possible to make well-judged adaptations that aren’t appropriate.
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
I’m now pondering if it’s possible to make well-judged adaptations that aren’t appropriate.
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
Ofsted inspection proposals conjure up a spectre of the past
Michael Tidd wonders why no one at Ofsted recalled the headaches caused by the assessment levels system when drawing up new inspection framework proposals
www.tes.com
February 4, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Great stuff from @michaelt1979.bsky.social on proposed Ofsted framework.
I’m now pondering if it’s possible to make well-judged adaptations that aren’t appropriate.
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
I’m now pondering if it’s possible to make well-judged adaptations that aren’t appropriate.
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
Reposted by Heather Fearn
It really is like magic! Lengthy written comments generated from lots of snippets of teacher audio...
I’ve seen a demo of the audio feedback feature and loved it.
AI being used to rephrase *the teacher’s* quick, audio feedback on written work, into organised, clear and positively framed sentences for the pupil or teacher. Magic!
AI being used to rephrase *the teacher’s* quick, audio feedback on written work, into organised, clear and positively framed sentences for the pupil or teacher. Magic!
We have a Year 7 project that any secondary in England can take part in for free.
Deadline 28 Feb.
Details here. https://buff.ly/3Q54pkx
Intro webinar here. https://buff.ly/3Q2Z4Kw
Theory behind it here. https://buff.ly/3WJ643f
Deadline 28 Feb.
Details here. https://buff.ly/3Q54pkx
Intro webinar here. https://buff.ly/3Q2Z4Kw
Theory behind it here. https://buff.ly/3WJ643f
February 3, 2025 at 5:31 PM
It really is like magic! Lengthy written comments generated from lots of snippets of teacher audio...
I’ve seen a demo of the audio feedback feature and loved it.
AI being used to rephrase *the teacher’s* quick, audio feedback on written work, into organised, clear and positively framed sentences for the pupil or teacher. Magic!
AI being used to rephrase *the teacher’s* quick, audio feedback on written work, into organised, clear and positively framed sentences for the pupil or teacher. Magic!
We have a Year 7 project that any secondary in England can take part in for free.
Deadline 28 Feb.
Details here. https://buff.ly/3Q54pkx
Intro webinar here. https://buff.ly/3Q2Z4Kw
Theory behind it here. https://buff.ly/3WJ643f
Deadline 28 Feb.
Details here. https://buff.ly/3Q54pkx
Intro webinar here. https://buff.ly/3Q2Z4Kw
Theory behind it here. https://buff.ly/3WJ643f
The human in the loop
Human assessment in the age of AI
substack.nomoremarking.com
February 3, 2025 at 9:19 AM
I’ve seen a demo of the audio feedback feature and loved it.
AI being used to rephrase *the teacher’s* quick, audio feedback on written work, into organised, clear and positively framed sentences for the pupil or teacher. Magic!
AI being used to rephrase *the teacher’s* quick, audio feedback on written work, into organised, clear and positively framed sentences for the pupil or teacher. Magic!