Andy Downing
@andydowning.bsky.social
Once an aspiring education leader, then perspiring now expiring after 50+ years. Ex teacher, HT, Director of Schools. Father, grandparent, dog dad.
I think my knees are 20 years older than I am 😒
December 8, 2025 at 10:32 PM
I think my knees are 20 years older than I am 😒
Reposted by Andy Downing
A Thailand-based crypto investor has handed a record-breaking £9 million to Reform UK, shortly before Nigel Farage used media interviews to plug his crypto firm and promise lower taxes and deregulation on the industry
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/04/c...
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/04/c...
Crypto Investor Donates £9 Million to Reform UK After Nigel Farage Plugs His Company and Tells Industry 'I Am Your Champion'
The Reform leader recently used media interviews to back Christopher Harborne's company while promising to cut taxes and regulations on crypto firms
bylinetimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:19 AM
A Thailand-based crypto investor has handed a record-breaking £9 million to Reform UK, shortly before Nigel Farage used media interviews to plug his crypto firm and promise lower taxes and deregulation on the industry
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/04/c...
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/04/c...
I have just had reason to be very grateful to the NHS for addressing emergency health concerns. We should guard this institution with great care.
November 27, 2025 at 9:15 AM
I have just had reason to be very grateful to the NHS for addressing emergency health concerns. We should guard this institution with great care.
Reposted by Andy Downing
Just a reminder, that Angela Rayner took the decision to resign.
Suella Braverman was reinstated as Home Secretary after 6 days.
Priti Patel refused to resign and led to Independent Advisor resigning.
Nadhim Zahawi owed £5 million and didn't inform the Treasury.
THEY ARE NOT ALL THE SAME.
Suella Braverman was reinstated as Home Secretary after 6 days.
Priti Patel refused to resign and led to Independent Advisor resigning.
Nadhim Zahawi owed £5 million and didn't inform the Treasury.
THEY ARE NOT ALL THE SAME.
September 5, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Just a reminder, that Angela Rayner took the decision to resign.
Suella Braverman was reinstated as Home Secretary after 6 days.
Priti Patel refused to resign and led to Independent Advisor resigning.
Nadhim Zahawi owed £5 million and didn't inform the Treasury.
THEY ARE NOT ALL THE SAME.
Suella Braverman was reinstated as Home Secretary after 6 days.
Priti Patel refused to resign and led to Independent Advisor resigning.
Nadhim Zahawi owed £5 million and didn't inform the Treasury.
THEY ARE NOT ALL THE SAME.
Reposted by Andy Downing
The term of ‘illegal migrant’ has been nurtured and the media repeat it as fact. It’s designed to whip up hate & dehumanise - there needs to be a pushback
Seeking asylum is legal & has been for 74 years, since the UK signed the UN Convention on Asylum Seekers in 1951
@northeastbylines.co.uk
Seeking asylum is legal & has been for 74 years, since the UK signed the UN Convention on Asylum Seekers in 1951
@northeastbylines.co.uk
Silencing the drumbeat again: seeking asylum is legal
Hundreds protested in Ashington against so-called "illegal immigrants" - though seeking asylum has been legal since 1951
northeastbylines.co.uk
August 31, 2025 at 11:10 AM
The term of ‘illegal migrant’ has been nurtured and the media repeat it as fact. It’s designed to whip up hate & dehumanise - there needs to be a pushback
Seeking asylum is legal & has been for 74 years, since the UK signed the UN Convention on Asylum Seekers in 1951
@northeastbylines.co.uk
Seeking asylum is legal & has been for 74 years, since the UK signed the UN Convention on Asylum Seekers in 1951
@northeastbylines.co.uk
It has just dawned on me that this is the first start of an academic year since 1956 that I haven’t been directly involved in education! A sobering thought 🤔
August 31, 2025 at 1:18 PM
It has just dawned on me that this is the first start of an academic year since 1956 that I haven’t been directly involved in education! A sobering thought 🤔
I drink an awful lot of sparkling water and while it's not expensive I am feeling guilty about the amount of plastic. Does anyone have any experience of soda makers? What are your views? TIA
July 16, 2025 at 6:28 AM
I drink an awful lot of sparkling water and while it's not expensive I am feeling guilty about the amount of plastic. Does anyone have any experience of soda makers? What are your views? TIA
The ideal time to turn on @mrjamesob.bsky.social is 10.20am!
May 29, 2025 at 9:20 AM
The ideal time to turn on @mrjamesob.bsky.social is 10.20am!
I started teaching in 1972. Since that time I have been continually engaged in education - HT, adviser, inspector, Head of School Improvement, Director of Schools, consultant and most recently Trustee. 53 years - until today.
May 19, 2025 at 10:14 PM
I started teaching in 1972. Since that time I have been continually engaged in education - HT, adviser, inspector, Head of School Improvement, Director of Schools, consultant and most recently Trustee. 53 years - until today.
Newport Pembrokeshire
April 29, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Newport Pembrokeshire
@greatbritishmenu.bsky.social What a travesty that was!
March 28, 2025 at 9:02 PM
@greatbritishmenu.bsky.social What a travesty that was!
@mrjamesob.bsky.social Carpets - that's where W. H. Smiths have gone wrong!
March 28, 2025 at 12:37 PM
@mrjamesob.bsky.social Carpets - that's where W. H. Smiths have gone wrong!
After 50+ years in education I am tired and disillusioned. Granddaughter #1 is starting a PGCE after getting a 1st in micro biology. Please someone give me +ve vibes
March 6, 2025 at 10:44 PM
After 50+ years in education I am tired and disillusioned. Granddaughter #1 is starting a PGCE after getting a 1st in micro biology. Please someone give me +ve vibes
Reposted by Andy Downing
Whenever they reach an egregious new low, I've taken to wondering where all these hideous grifters beloved of right-wing media might go next. I don't recommend it.
I know I shouldn’t cross post from a hot bed of neo-Nazism. But this is mad. Imagine the implications for sport for starters if this was true. You can play for a British team, but not for England. that’s for whites.
February 28, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Whenever they reach an egregious new low, I've taken to wondering where all these hideous grifters beloved of right-wing media might go next. I don't recommend it.
Chlorinated chicken anyone? 🤔
February 27, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Chlorinated chicken anyone? 🤔
Reposted by Andy Downing
Do what Stephen says…..
The Alternative Big Consultation (ABC) has been launched to get your views - it's about the fitness for purpose of Ofsted's proposed Report Card as well as the details. Please take some time to feed in your views; they really matter
www.surveymonkey.com/r/LQ7KG25?s=09
www.surveymonkey.com/r/LQ7KG25?s=09
The Alternative Big Consultation (ABC)
Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.
www.surveymonkey.com
February 25, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Do what Stephen says…..
Reposted by Andy Downing
I am puzzling over this message received from the CEO of Athena Trust: "I have an email prepared for you but hoped we might work this out more informally. Could I ask you remove your twitter pist, your blog etc..." Does that sound like a threat to anyone else?
NEW BLOG: "...excluding large numbers of pupils is a deliberate policy of the Athena Trust and, let’s make no bones about it, this is damaging children: the poorest children and, disproportionately, those with special education needs (SEND)."
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com/2025/02/23/t...
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com/2025/02/23/t...
THE ROGUE MAT
Three schools were responsible for almost half the exclusions of secondary aged pupils across Cornwall according to the most recent Government figures. In the Autumn term of 2023-24, Camborne Scien…
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com
February 24, 2025 at 7:18 AM
I am puzzling over this message received from the CEO of Athena Trust: "I have an email prepared for you but hoped we might work this out more informally. Could I ask you remove your twitter pist, your blog etc..." Does that sound like a threat to anyone else?
x.com
x.com
February 20, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Reposted by Andy Downing
Would have made my father laugh.
February 16, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Would have made my father laugh.
Reposted by Andy Downing
Two fabulous opportunities to work with a fabulous team.
We are recruiting substantive Headteachers for Forest High School and Pegasus School.
❤️ Are you inclusive?
📈 Are you ambitious?
🦁 Are you fearless?
If it's YES to all three, then read more here:
bit.ly/ForestHeadte...
bit.ly/PegasusHeadt...
❤️ Are you inclusive?
📈 Are you ambitious?
🦁 Are you fearless?
If it's YES to all three, then read more here:
bit.ly/ForestHeadte...
bit.ly/PegasusHeadt...
February 10, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Two fabulous opportunities to work with a fabulous team.
Reposted by Andy Downing
