Jim Lauder
@mrjlauder.bsky.social
Dixons Academies. Schools as civic institutions - ensuring our communities have a voice and power. Building place based partnerships. Views my own.
At weekends I post about cooking.
At weekends I post about cooking.
Your regular reminder that the govt's preferred direction of travel on SEND reform - creating more school-based SEND units - creates risks around:
- staffing
- lowering expectations
- shifting kids into units to game accountability
- shifting kids based on prejudice/labels
- staffing
- lowering expectations
- shifting kids into units to game accountability
- shifting kids based on prejudice/labels
December 3, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Your regular reminder that the govt's preferred direction of travel on SEND reform - creating more school-based SEND units - creates risks around:
- staffing
- lowering expectations
- shifting kids into units to game accountability
- shifting kids based on prejudice/labels
- staffing
- lowering expectations
- shifting kids into units to game accountability
- shifting kids based on prejudice/labels
Reposted by Jim Lauder
Cognitive Load Theory and Maths
Zain Mahmood considers the subject through the lens of working memory.
researchschool.org.uk/bradford/new...
Zain Mahmood considers the subject through the lens of working memory.
researchschool.org.uk/bradford/new...
Cognitive Load Theory and Maths
Applying principles of Cognitive Load Theory to mathematics
researchschool.org.uk
December 3, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Cognitive Load Theory and Maths
Zain Mahmood considers the subject through the lens of working memory.
researchschool.org.uk/bradford/new...
Zain Mahmood considers the subject through the lens of working memory.
researchschool.org.uk/bradford/new...
From a few conversations recently, it seems like accountability is a lot stronger/harder edged in education compared to the NHS.
Ofsted tougher than CQC
LM/PM tougher in schools
Clearer expectations on staff that are enforced
Anyone else have a view? Very anecdotal for me at the moment.
Ofsted tougher than CQC
LM/PM tougher in schools
Clearer expectations on staff that are enforced
Anyone else have a view? Very anecdotal for me at the moment.
December 1, 2025 at 6:19 PM
From a few conversations recently, it seems like accountability is a lot stronger/harder edged in education compared to the NHS.
Ofsted tougher than CQC
LM/PM tougher in schools
Clearer expectations on staff that are enforced
Anyone else have a view? Very anecdotal for me at the moment.
Ofsted tougher than CQC
LM/PM tougher in schools
Clearer expectations on staff that are enforced
Anyone else have a view? Very anecdotal for me at the moment.
I actually think the reforms package will initially land quite well. But to make it work is going to require huge mindset shifts from schools and parents, and as I've said elsewhere, some of it is looking to be fundamentally misconceived.
So I'm apprehensive. But we should try and make it all work.
So I'm apprehensive. But we should try and make it all work.
I wrote for @theobserveruk.bsky.social on the special needs problem highlighted by the budget and the big political battle over it coming next year.
share.google/kTTENR1gX4Y4...
share.google/kTTENR1gX4Y4...
Labour’s holiday homework: solve the problem of special needs education | The Observer
share.google
November 30, 2025 at 1:28 PM
I actually think the reforms package will initially land quite well. But to make it work is going to require huge mindset shifts from schools and parents, and as I've said elsewhere, some of it is looking to be fundamentally misconceived.
So I'm apprehensive. But we should try and make it all work.
So I'm apprehensive. But we should try and make it all work.
Reposted by Jim Lauder
Absolutely right @samfr.bsky.social.
I'm this contradiction entirely. I know the system well. It's a binfire. Huge amounts of money are being wasted. But I'll defend my daughters ehcp to the hilt because I have zero faith the system will reform in a way that benefits her fast enough..
I'm this contradiction entirely. I know the system well. It's a binfire. Huge amounts of money are being wasted. But I'll defend my daughters ehcp to the hilt because I have zero faith the system will reform in a way that benefits her fast enough..
November 30, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Absolutely right @samfr.bsky.social.
I'm this contradiction entirely. I know the system well. It's a binfire. Huge amounts of money are being wasted. But I'll defend my daughters ehcp to the hilt because I have zero faith the system will reform in a way that benefits her fast enough..
I'm this contradiction entirely. I know the system well. It's a binfire. Huge amounts of money are being wasted. But I'll defend my daughters ehcp to the hilt because I have zero faith the system will reform in a way that benefits her fast enough..
Reposted by Jim Lauder
From yesterday. Why did edutwitter discourse dissolve?
👇🏻
👇🏻
1. Reasons for the collapse of the Great Edu Conversation.
First important to acknowledge the whole thing was very unlikely. People writing essays about their jobs for free on the internet and engaging in deep conversations about other people's essays. So always fragile.
And then..
First important to acknowledge the whole thing was very unlikely. People writing essays about their jobs for free on the internet and engaging in deep conversations about other people's essays. So always fragile.
And then..
November 30, 2025 at 9:40 AM
From yesterday. Why did edutwitter discourse dissolve?
👇🏻
👇🏻
Reposted by Jim Lauder
I've decided to re-read Hogfather over the festive period (starting on Dec 1th) and thought there may be others doing the same thing.
If you're a @thestorygraph.com user, join me in a buddy read, if you like?
app.thestorygraph.com/buddy_reads/...
If you're a @thestorygraph.com user, join me in a buddy read, if you like?
app.thestorygraph.com/buddy_reads/...
Sign In | The StoryGraph
app.thestorygraph.com
November 29, 2025 at 11:13 PM
I've decided to re-read Hogfather over the festive period (starting on Dec 1th) and thought there may be others doing the same thing.
If you're a @thestorygraph.com user, join me in a buddy read, if you like?
app.thestorygraph.com/buddy_reads/...
If you're a @thestorygraph.com user, join me in a buddy read, if you like?
app.thestorygraph.com/buddy_reads/...
The backlash to the proposals to limit trial by jury is a great example of the UK's stale cakeism.
We want the nice things but don't want to pay for them.
Then when someone proposes something different we kick off, so they back down, and the cycle of stagnation continues.
We want the nice things but don't want to pay for them.
Then when someone proposes something different we kick off, so they back down, and the cycle of stagnation continues.
November 30, 2025 at 8:44 AM
The backlash to the proposals to limit trial by jury is a great example of the UK's stale cakeism.
We want the nice things but don't want to pay for them.
Then when someone proposes something different we kick off, so they back down, and the cycle of stagnation continues.
We want the nice things but don't want to pay for them.
Then when someone proposes something different we kick off, so they back down, and the cycle of stagnation continues.
Beginning to get my head into Christmas dinner. My absolute favourite meal of the year to cook.
I'm doing a turkey crown this year, but if you are doing a ~4.5kg whole bird, 90 minutes plus an hour to rest is plenty.
Believe Raymond Blanc, not the turkey nuking brigade on BBC Good Food.
I'm doing a turkey crown this year, but if you are doing a ~4.5kg whole bird, 90 minutes plus an hour to rest is plenty.
Believe Raymond Blanc, not the turkey nuking brigade on BBC Good Food.
November 29, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Beginning to get my head into Christmas dinner. My absolute favourite meal of the year to cook.
I'm doing a turkey crown this year, but if you are doing a ~4.5kg whole bird, 90 minutes plus an hour to rest is plenty.
Believe Raymond Blanc, not the turkey nuking brigade on BBC Good Food.
I'm doing a turkey crown this year, but if you are doing a ~4.5kg whole bird, 90 minutes plus an hour to rest is plenty.
Believe Raymond Blanc, not the turkey nuking brigade on BBC Good Food.
Reposted by Jim Lauder
NEW BLOG: OFSTED REFLECTIONS.
Trying to be even handed: southgloshead.wordpress.com/2025/11/28/w...
Trying to be even handed: southgloshead.wordpress.com/2025/11/28/w...
What we learned about OFSTED (Part 1)
Credit: The Times Reflections on the new inspection framework: 1742 days under the lottery finger My school and I have spent 1742 days in the OFSTED window (our last inspection was Feb 2018). 1742 …
southgloshead.wordpress.com
November 29, 2025 at 8:59 AM
NEW BLOG: OFSTED REFLECTIONS.
Trying to be even handed: southgloshead.wordpress.com/2025/11/28/w...
Trying to be even handed: southgloshead.wordpress.com/2025/11/28/w...
Is anyone else as excited as me for the place-based budgets for Mayors announced in the budget?
Break some siloes, baby.
Break some siloes, baby.
November 28, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Is anyone else as excited as me for the place-based budgets for Mayors announced in the budget?
Break some siloes, baby.
Break some siloes, baby.
Reposted by Jim Lauder
#FridayFive is missing people.
1. Never Forget You. The Noisettes.
2. So Far Away. Carole King.
3. Maps. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
4. In My Life. The Beatles.
5. Half the World Away. Oasis.
1. Never Forget You. The Noisettes.
2. So Far Away. Carole King.
3. Maps. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
4. In My Life. The Beatles.
5. Half the World Away. Oasis.
November 28, 2025 at 3:51 PM
#FridayFive is missing people.
1. Never Forget You. The Noisettes.
2. So Far Away. Carole King.
3. Maps. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
4. In My Life. The Beatles.
5. Half the World Away. Oasis.
1. Never Forget You. The Noisettes.
2. So Far Away. Carole King.
3. Maps. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
4. In My Life. The Beatles.
5. Half the World Away. Oasis.
Great summary of where we're at. Thanks @thatpovertyguy.bsky.social
I’m not convinced that talk of ‘wins’ in Budget news is helpful.
But there are some milestones that need to be marked
thatpovertyguy.substack.com/p/budget-2025
But there are some milestones that need to be marked
thatpovertyguy.substack.com/p/budget-2025
Budget 2025
Five things worth counting in a budget aimed at changing lives
thatpovertyguy.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Great summary of where we're at. Thanks @thatpovertyguy.bsky.social
Interesting. IME these partnerships are really variable in terms of what they do.
The real prize is in the (I hope significant) quote from Georgia here - cross sector place based collaboration with real institutional heft (and cash) to tackle wicked problems.
schoolsweek.co.uk/call-for-loc...
The real prize is in the (I hope significant) quote from Georgia here - cross sector place based collaboration with real institutional heft (and cash) to tackle wicked problems.
schoolsweek.co.uk/call-for-loc...
Call for education partnerships to fill MAT 'policy vacuum'
Local groups of schools are 'providing the missing link' in a 'fragmented' system
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Interesting. IME these partnerships are really variable in terms of what they do.
The real prize is in the (I hope significant) quote from Georgia here - cross sector place based collaboration with real institutional heft (and cash) to tackle wicked problems.
schoolsweek.co.uk/call-for-loc...
The real prize is in the (I hope significant) quote from Georgia here - cross sector place based collaboration with real institutional heft (and cash) to tackle wicked problems.
schoolsweek.co.uk/call-for-loc...
Reposted by Jim Lauder
The What and Why of Routines in School Culture
Much of what occurs in successful school cultures and classrooms is invisible.
James Dyke explores the importance of being conscious about our routines:
researchschool.org.uk/bradford/new...
Much of what occurs in successful school cultures and classrooms is invisible.
James Dyke explores the importance of being conscious about our routines:
researchschool.org.uk/bradford/new...
November 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM
The What and Why of Routines in School Culture
Much of what occurs in successful school cultures and classrooms is invisible.
James Dyke explores the importance of being conscious about our routines:
researchschool.org.uk/bradford/new...
Much of what occurs in successful school cultures and classrooms is invisible.
James Dyke explores the importance of being conscious about our routines:
researchschool.org.uk/bradford/new...
November 23, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Looks like we've lost the battle for rigour in RE. Sigh.
The average member of the public has a pretty ropey understanding of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Judaism at best. That's both intrinsically and societally bad.
But no, let's make it trendy.
schoolsweek.co.uk/what-next-af...
The average member of the public has a pretty ropey understanding of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Judaism at best. That's both intrinsically and societally bad.
But no, let's make it trendy.
schoolsweek.co.uk/what-next-af...
November 23, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Looks like we've lost the battle for rigour in RE. Sigh.
The average member of the public has a pretty ropey understanding of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Judaism at best. That's both intrinsically and societally bad.
But no, let's make it trendy.
schoolsweek.co.uk/what-next-af...
The average member of the public has a pretty ropey understanding of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Judaism at best. That's both intrinsically and societally bad.
But no, let's make it trendy.
schoolsweek.co.uk/what-next-af...
Reposted by Jim Lauder
Rotherham has seen a remarkable rise in its productivity in recent years. From the lowest in South Yorkshire in 2004, by 2023 it had the highest productivity in the area, even above Sheffield.
So what’s going on in South Yorkshire?
Short thread below.
1/6
So what’s going on in South Yorkshire?
Short thread below.
1/6
November 20, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Rotherham has seen a remarkable rise in its productivity in recent years. From the lowest in South Yorkshire in 2004, by 2023 it had the highest productivity in the area, even above Sheffield.
So what’s going on in South Yorkshire?
Short thread below.
1/6
So what’s going on in South Yorkshire?
Short thread below.
1/6
This interview with Jacinda Ardern is fascinating for what it doesn't say, or get into at all.
Ardern was an excellent crisis manager, communicator, and positive global icon, but not a very good PM. Thread.
www.thetimes.com/article/9db4...
Ardern was an excellent crisis manager, communicator, and positive global icon, but not a very good PM. Thread.
www.thetimes.com/article/9db4...
Jacinda Ardern: ‘We just need good humans in the job’
As prime minister of New Zealand, she appeared to be dealing effortlessly with politics, lockdowns and being a new mum. Then the opinion polls turned. What went wrong?
www.thetimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:48 AM
This interview with Jacinda Ardern is fascinating for what it doesn't say, or get into at all.
Ardern was an excellent crisis manager, communicator, and positive global icon, but not a very good PM. Thread.
www.thetimes.com/article/9db4...
Ardern was an excellent crisis manager, communicator, and positive global icon, but not a very good PM. Thread.
www.thetimes.com/article/9db4...
November 21, 2025 at 10:11 PM
I was lucky enough to attend the launch of Windsor Academies' Co-Creating Healthy Futures framework today. It's a huge step forward for both sectors - a practical how to for school/NHS collaboration.
Congrats @dhaywood77.bsky.social and team!
schoolsweek.co.uk/its-time-to-...
Congrats @dhaywood77.bsky.social and team!
schoolsweek.co.uk/its-time-to-...
It’s time to unite schools and health services - here's how
Our Schools and Health Framework lays the foundations for partnership working, say Dawn Haywood and Claire Gething
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 2:15 PM
I was lucky enough to attend the launch of Windsor Academies' Co-Creating Healthy Futures framework today. It's a huge step forward for both sectors - a practical how to for school/NHS collaboration.
Congrats @dhaywood77.bsky.social and team!
schoolsweek.co.uk/its-time-to-...
Congrats @dhaywood77.bsky.social and team!
schoolsweek.co.uk/its-time-to-...
Fair dos, sounds like this is a step forward from DfE on funding. YMMV on the send point.
schoolsweek.co.uk/weve-listene...
schoolsweek.co.uk/weve-listene...
We heard schools on breakfast clubs – now we’re acting
Early education minister Olivia Bailey explains improvements to Labour's flagship breakfast clubs scheme
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Fair dos, sounds like this is a step forward from DfE on funding. YMMV on the send point.
schoolsweek.co.uk/weve-listene...
schoolsweek.co.uk/weve-listene...
Things I'm angry about tonight for no particular reason: the 'worldviews' approach to RE, which has gained much support in the RE community and amongst academics, is totally vacuous nonsense that doesn't stand up to a moment's scrutiny.
November 19, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Things I'm angry about tonight for no particular reason: the 'worldviews' approach to RE, which has gained much support in the RE community and amongst academics, is totally vacuous nonsense that doesn't stand up to a moment's scrutiny.
Reposted by Jim Lauder
Before the Schools White Paper, the DfE is holding a series of in-person & online events to “discuss & understand views on the core principles for SEND reform and ensure that our reforms are grounded in lived experience.” Shortlink for booking: bit.ly/dfesend
November 18, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Before the Schools White Paper, the DfE is holding a series of in-person & online events to “discuss & understand views on the core principles for SEND reform and ensure that our reforms are grounded in lived experience.” Shortlink for booking: bit.ly/dfesend