Dr Helen J Williams 🇪🇺🇵🇸
@helenjwc.bsky.social
UK Educator-Mathematics.
*NEW BOOK summer 2026* 👆🏼“Playful mathematics”- award winning: https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/playful-mathematics/book276080
Early Childhood Mathematics Group https://earlymaths.org/
Blogs:
https://info125328.wixsite.com/website
*NEW BOOK summer 2026* 👆🏼“Playful mathematics”- award winning: https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/playful-mathematics/book276080
Early Childhood Mathematics Group https://earlymaths.org/
Blogs:
https://info125328.wixsite.com/website
Pinned
Heads up for #earlyyears peeps and all those interested in #maths and young children
My new book due for publication May/June 2026
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
My new book due for publication May/June 2026
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Primary teachers - here you go, a 🎄 goody from @nrichmaths.bsky.social
You’re welcome
nrich.maths.org/advent-calen...
You’re welcome
nrich.maths.org/advent-calen...
Advent Calendar 2025 - Primary | NRICH
nrich.maths.org
November 29, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Primary teachers - here you go, a 🎄 goody from @nrichmaths.bsky.social
You’re welcome
nrich.maths.org/advent-calen...
You’re welcome
nrich.maths.org/advent-calen...
If you have any interest in #mathematics education in England, this is worth a read: www.nottingham.ac.uk/observatory/...
Some highlights I’ve picked out to follow:
Some highlights I’ve picked out to follow:
www.nottingham.ac.uk
November 27, 2025 at 4:56 PM
If you have any interest in #mathematics education in England, this is worth a read: www.nottingham.ac.uk/observatory/...
Some highlights I’ve picked out to follow:
Some highlights I’ve picked out to follow:
www.nottingham.ac.uk
November 27, 2025 at 4:56 PM
If you have any interest in #mathematics education in England, this is worth a read: www.nottingham.ac.uk/observatory/...
Some highlights I’ve picked out to follow:
Some highlights I’ve picked out to follow:
Now 63755 signatures -
Please add your name
Please add your name
🔥 Highly recommended that you all sign and share.
Link to the petition—> petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Link to the petition—> petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
November 26, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Now 63755 signatures -
Please add your name
Please add your name
Reposted by Dr Helen J Williams 🇪🇺🇵🇸
We've created a starter pack to help you find people and organisations that are passionate about play! Let us know who we've missed 😊
go.bsky.app/PRQsKEy
go.bsky.app/PRQsKEy
November 26, 2024 at 3:40 PM
We've created a starter pack to help you find people and organisations that are passionate about play! Let us know who we've missed 😊
go.bsky.app/PRQsKEy
go.bsky.app/PRQsKEy
Have you seen this #earlyyears peeps? #maths supplement for #PlayMatters www.early-years-reviews.com/guidetomathe...
Guide for Mathematical Play | Early Years Reviews
www.early-years-reviews.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Have you seen this #earlyyears peeps? #maths supplement for #PlayMatters www.early-years-reviews.com/guidetomathe...
I genuinely don’t know what to do. We have an excellent local @labouruk.bsky.social MP - the first for many years. I door-knocked for her. I door-knocked for change. Locally she is a real fighter.
But nationally. I’m upset, let down, furious. Stephen Norris this morning - WHAT THE ABSOLUTE F?
But nationally. I’m upset, let down, furious. Stephen Norris this morning - WHAT THE ABSOLUTE F?
November 17, 2025 at 8:19 AM
I genuinely don’t know what to do. We have an excellent local @labouruk.bsky.social MP - the first for many years. I door-knocked for her. I door-knocked for change. Locally she is a real fighter.
But nationally. I’m upset, let down, furious. Stephen Norris this morning - WHAT THE ABSOLUTE F?
But nationally. I’m upset, let down, furious. Stephen Norris this morning - WHAT THE ABSOLUTE F?
Reposted by Dr Helen J Williams 🇪🇺🇵🇸
This is disgusting. Absolutely furious with Labour for behaving like this. Complete betrayal of progressive values and voters.
November 17, 2025 at 8:06 AM
This is disgusting. Absolutely furious with Labour for behaving like this. Complete betrayal of progressive values and voters.
November 14, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Why is nothing being made of this ?
It doesn’t excuse the lack of oversight by the BBC, but still 🤷🏼♀️
It doesn’t excuse the lack of oversight by the BBC, but still 🤷🏼♀️
November 14, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Why is nothing being made of this ?
It doesn’t excuse the lack of oversight by the BBC, but still 🤷🏼♀️
It doesn’t excuse the lack of oversight by the BBC, but still 🤷🏼♀️
Reposted by Dr Helen J Williams 🇪🇺🇵🇸
Some symmetry and radial patterns grew at this centre during tabletop play this morning.
ML: It’s a beetle. Here’s the head (pointing) and here’s the tail (other end).
HC: I made a flower (first pic). Look, I added more to my pattern.
ML: It’s a beetle. Here’s the head (pointing) and here’s the tail (other end).
HC: I made a flower (first pic). Look, I added more to my pattern.
November 13, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Some symmetry and radial patterns grew at this centre during tabletop play this morning.
ML: It’s a beetle. Here’s the head (pointing) and here’s the tail (other end).
HC: I made a flower (first pic). Look, I added more to my pattern.
ML: It’s a beetle. Here’s the head (pointing) and here’s the tail (other end).
HC: I made a flower (first pic). Look, I added more to my pattern.
Reposted by Dr Helen J Williams 🇪🇺🇵🇸
Imo 'school readiness' is a ridiculous concept especially now that so many of the early learning goals (the measure they use) are not developmentally appropriate. Honestly you should see the self-regulation goals because quite a lot of *adults* wouldn't meet them.
Government wants to raise 'school readiness' to 75% by 2028 - but experts have warned the education committee this target could leave poorer pupils further behind
schoolsweek.co.uk/government-s...
schoolsweek.co.uk/government-s...
School readiness target 'risky', experts tell MPs
Experts fear a focus on those 'closest to the line' as ministers impose 75% school readiness aim
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Imo 'school readiness' is a ridiculous concept especially now that so many of the early learning goals (the measure they use) are not developmentally appropriate. Honestly you should see the self-regulation goals because quite a lot of *adults* wouldn't meet them.
“Magic moments only happen when you’re extremely well-prepared” - Freddie Mercury.
That, folks, is my mantra for early mathematics teaching: preparation rather than planning 👏🏼
#earlymaths #earlyyears #mathematics #teaching
That, folks, is my mantra for early mathematics teaching: preparation rather than planning 👏🏼
#earlymaths #earlyyears #mathematics #teaching
folks.is
November 9, 2025 at 6:59 PM
“Magic moments only happen when you’re extremely well-prepared” - Freddie Mercury.
That, folks, is my mantra for early mathematics teaching: preparation rather than planning 👏🏼
#earlymaths #earlyyears #mathematics #teaching
That, folks, is my mantra for early mathematics teaching: preparation rather than planning 👏🏼
#earlymaths #earlyyears #mathematics #teaching
@debrakidd.bsky.social - did you see this thread?
Here’s an answer to where is the vision in our curriculum review.
Here’s an answer to where is the vision in our curriculum review.
13.
Curriculum should be a public conversation about how we live together, not a delivery system for inherited abstractions. The Final Review turns that conversation off.
Curriculum should be a public conversation about how we live together, not a delivery system for inherited abstractions. The Final Review turns that conversation off.
November 8, 2025 at 9:35 AM
@debrakidd.bsky.social - did you see this thread?
Here’s an answer to where is the vision in our curriculum review.
Here’s an answer to where is the vision in our curriculum review.
Reposted by Dr Helen J Williams 🇪🇺🇵🇸
Excellent thread on the curriculum review process.
@suecowley.bsky.social - have you seen this?
@suecowley.bsky.social - have you seen this?
The 2025 Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report was meant to “build a world-class curriculum for all.” In reality, it signals something quite different: the closure of curriculum reform in England. 🧵
November 5, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Excellent thread on the curriculum review process.
@suecowley.bsky.social - have you seen this?
@suecowley.bsky.social - have you seen this?
Does anyone know if there is any restriction on how late in the evening folk are allowed to let off fireworks? It’s gone 11 on a school night and my poor dog is still hysterically barking at the continual bangs. 😬😫🤦🏼♀️
November 5, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Does anyone know if there is any restriction on how late in the evening folk are allowed to let off fireworks? It’s gone 11 on a school night and my poor dog is still hysterically barking at the continual bangs. 😬😫🤦🏼♀️
Excellent thread on the curriculum review process.
@suecowley.bsky.social - have you seen this?
@suecowley.bsky.social - have you seen this?
The 2025 Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report was meant to “build a world-class curriculum for all.” In reality, it signals something quite different: the closure of curriculum reform in England. 🧵
November 5, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Excellent thread on the curriculum review process.
@suecowley.bsky.social - have you seen this?
@suecowley.bsky.social - have you seen this?
Reposted by Dr Helen J Williams 🇪🇺🇵🇸
But here is a wonderful example of how assessment can enrich learning and teaching..
November 5, 2025 at 6:40 PM
But here is a wonderful example of how assessment can enrich learning and teaching..
Reposted by Dr Helen J Williams 🇪🇺🇵🇸
Bit depressing really that the end result of a wholescale curriculum review is "we'll have a bit more oracy and loads more tests." Where is the vision and ambition?
November 5, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Bit depressing really that the end result of a wholescale curriculum review is "we'll have a bit more oracy and loads more tests." Where is the vision and ambition?
Reposted by Dr Helen J Williams 🇪🇺🇵🇸
Tomorrow is #OutdoorClassroomDay! 🥳
No plans? There's still time to organise a great day! Discover some last minute ideas from @ltlnews.bsky.social and make sure to sign up to show your commitment to getting outdoors this Thursday!
Sign up: outdoorclassroomday.com
Ideas: ltl.org.uk/news/outdoor...
No plans? There's still time to organise a great day! Discover some last minute ideas from @ltlnews.bsky.social and make sure to sign up to show your commitment to getting outdoors this Thursday!
Sign up: outdoorclassroomday.com
Ideas: ltl.org.uk/news/outdoor...
November 5, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Tomorrow is #OutdoorClassroomDay! 🥳
No plans? There's still time to organise a great day! Discover some last minute ideas from @ltlnews.bsky.social and make sure to sign up to show your commitment to getting outdoors this Thursday!
Sign up: outdoorclassroomday.com
Ideas: ltl.org.uk/news/outdoor...
No plans? There's still time to organise a great day! Discover some last minute ideas from @ltlnews.bsky.social and make sure to sign up to show your commitment to getting outdoors this Thursday!
Sign up: outdoorclassroomday.com
Ideas: ltl.org.uk/news/outdoor...
@beckyfrancis.bsky.social @cassiebuchanan.bsky.social @jonhutchinson.bsky.social @jo-annebaird.bsky.social
Yes. The loudest voices are speaking entirely from a secondary perspective. If Becky Francis had listened at all to the discussion around ks1 Sats and testing young children she certainly wouldn’t be recommending more teachers use the non-statutory ks1 tests. Moreover they are not diagnostic!
November 5, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Reposted by Dr Helen J Williams 🇪🇺🇵🇸
I think this @schoolsweek.bsky.social interview demonstrates how the focus of the curriculum review was subject related and secondary focused. I don't think it actually deals with key issues around young people's engagement and wellbeing within the English system.
schoolsweek.co.uk/interview-be...
schoolsweek.co.uk/interview-be...
Q&A: Becky Francis on the big ideas in her curriculum review
Chair explains thinking behind year 8 tests, scrapping EBacc and triple science guarantee
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 6:50 AM
I think this @schoolsweek.bsky.social interview demonstrates how the focus of the curriculum review was subject related and secondary focused. I don't think it actually deals with key issues around young people's engagement and wellbeing within the English system.
schoolsweek.co.uk/interview-be...
schoolsweek.co.uk/interview-be...
What a lovely thread 🧵
For many years I have been posting little observations online. What you may not know is that for many years, artists have been illustrating them - for no reason other than they wanted to respond. Below is a thread of some of these beautiful, (by-real-people) drawings because they should be seen 🧵...
November 4, 2025 at 6:56 PM
What a lovely thread 🧵
Reposted by Dr Helen J Williams 🇪🇺🇵🇸
Once again… testing is not teaching.
Testing children does not teach them to read and it doesn’t encourage schools to teach children to read. It encourages schools to teach to the test.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Testing children does not teach them to read and it doesn’t encourage schools to teach children to read. It encourages schools to teach to the test.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Bridget Phillipson ‘ready to take on unions’ over year 8 reading tests
Education secretary says mandatory test needed to tackle ‘shocking outcomes’ for many working-class children
www.theguardian.com
November 1, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Once again… testing is not teaching.
Testing children does not teach them to read and it doesn’t encourage schools to teach children to read. It encourages schools to teach to the test.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Testing children does not teach them to read and it doesn’t encourage schools to teach children to read. It encourages schools to teach to the test.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...