Tom Oakley
@mrtomoakley.bsky.social
Deputy Headteacher
Former LA Maths Adviser
Interested in professional development, curriculum and assessment
Former LA Maths Adviser
Interested in professional development, curriculum and assessment
Pinned
Tom Oakley
@mrtomoakley.bsky.social
· May 17
Three Lessons Learned from Three Years in Deputy Headship
Thinking Deeply about Primary Education · Episode
tinyurl.com
On #TDAPE this week with @kieran-m-ed.bsky.social talking about some of the leadership lessons I've learnt so far.
Hopefully, this interesting to anyone in leadership or aspiring to lead.
tinyurl.com/8fvmpuv8
Please share @headteacherchat.bsky.social @edfinch.bsky.social @marymyatt.bsky.social
Hopefully, this interesting to anyone in leadership or aspiring to lead.
tinyurl.com/8fvmpuv8
Please share @headteacherchat.bsky.social @edfinch.bsky.social @marymyatt.bsky.social
Reposted by Tom Oakley
❗Some schools are at 'breaking point' amid a widening gap between the schools with the most and fewest numbers of pupils with education, health and care plans, research warns
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-at-b...
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-at-b...
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 5:30 AM
❗Some schools are at 'breaking point' amid a widening gap between the schools with the most and fewest numbers of pupils with education, health and care plans, research warns
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-at-b...
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-at-b...
Reposted by Tom Oakley
Reading Floodland by Marcus Sedgwick with my Y5/6 class is always an absolute pleasure. Not a single word is wasted! Six lines in and we're already straight into the action. Such a talented writer and such a sad loss.
November 5, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Reading Floodland by Marcus Sedgwick with my Y5/6 class is always an absolute pleasure. Not a single word is wasted! Six lines in and we're already straight into the action. Such a talented writer and such a sad loss.
Reposted by Tom Oakley
>> A diagnostic alternative to ks1 #maths tests that help establish what KS1 children know and can do: atm.org.uk/news/ks1-tas...
KS1 Tasks not Tests
atm.org.uk
November 5, 2025 at 9:17 PM
>> A diagnostic alternative to ks1 #maths tests that help establish what KS1 children know and can do: atm.org.uk/news/ks1-tas...
Reposted by Tom Oakley
How can we close the attainment gap for disadvantaged boys? An initiative at United Learning has succeeded in improving behaviour, attendance and engagement among boys on free school meals, finds @ellencph.bsky.social
How we’re getting disadvantaged boys more engaged in school
A new programme targeted at boys who are eligible for free school meals has resulted in improved attendance and behaviour at 17 United Learning schools. Ellen Peirson-Hagger hears what it involves
www.tes.com
November 4, 2025 at 6:35 AM
How can we close the attainment gap for disadvantaged boys? An initiative at United Learning has succeeded in improving behaviour, attendance and engagement among boys on free school meals, finds @ellencph.bsky.social
An article well-worth reading
www.aft.org/ae/fall2017/...
www.aft.org/ae/fall2017/...
Ask the Cognitive Scientist: Do Manipulatives Help Students Learn?
www.aft.org
August 15, 2025 at 7:03 PM
An article well-worth reading
www.aft.org/ae/fall2017/...
www.aft.org/ae/fall2017/...
Reposted by Tom Oakley
Just finished rewriting the overview for a weekly picturebook assembly which focuses on empathy, inclusion and diversity. It's still a work in progress but please feel free to use and adapt. All shares appreciated. The link is on my Padlet: padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r...
August 14, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Just finished rewriting the overview for a weekly picturebook assembly which focuses on empathy, inclusion and diversity. It's still a work in progress but please feel free to use and adapt. All shares appreciated. The link is on my Padlet: padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r...
Earlier this summer I read the debut novel by Marie O'Hare. It's brilliant and I keep thinking about it. I found it to be funny, dark, colourful and compelling. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I'm recommending this now because the Kindle edition is only 99p at the moment.
amzn.eu/d/hC3iV9B
#summerreading #bookclub
I'm recommending this now because the Kindle edition is only 99p at the moment.
amzn.eu/d/hC3iV9B
#summerreading #bookclub
August 10, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Earlier this summer I read the debut novel by Marie O'Hare. It's brilliant and I keep thinking about it. I found it to be funny, dark, colourful and compelling. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I'm recommending this now because the Kindle edition is only 99p at the moment.
amzn.eu/d/hC3iV9B
#summerreading #bookclub
I'm recommending this now because the Kindle edition is only 99p at the moment.
amzn.eu/d/hC3iV9B
#summerreading #bookclub
Reposted by Tom Oakley
It's the summer holidays, which means I have a copy of Primary Reading Simplified to give away.
Simply **repost** this post for your chance to win.
I will pick a winner on Sunday 17th August.
Good luck!
Simply **repost** this post for your chance to win.
I will pick a winner on Sunday 17th August.
Good luck!
August 7, 2025 at 11:58 AM
It's the summer holidays, which means I have a copy of Primary Reading Simplified to give away.
Simply **repost** this post for your chance to win.
I will pick a winner on Sunday 17th August.
Good luck!
Simply **repost** this post for your chance to win.
I will pick a winner on Sunday 17th August.
Good luck!
Reposted by Tom Oakley
These four books are absolutely essential. I can't stress enough how important these have been to fundamentally shifting who I am as a teacher and a leader...
Thank you to @marymyatt.bsky.social @suchmo83.bsky.social #MichaelChiles & @pepsmccrea.bsky.social for investing such time into these.
Thank you to @marymyatt.bsky.social @suchmo83.bsky.social #MichaelChiles & @pepsmccrea.bsky.social for investing such time into these.
July 30, 2025 at 8:09 PM
These four books are absolutely essential. I can't stress enough how important these have been to fundamentally shifting who I am as a teacher and a leader...
Thank you to @marymyatt.bsky.social @suchmo83.bsky.social #MichaelChiles & @pepsmccrea.bsky.social for investing such time into these.
Thank you to @marymyatt.bsky.social @suchmo83.bsky.social #MichaelChiles & @pepsmccrea.bsky.social for investing such time into these.
Anyone interested in Cadbury World tickets? I accidentally booked tickets for the wrong date and I can't go. It's for 6 adults a child (6-15yo) and another child under 5years old, for the 3rd September (not the 3rd August as I planned). If you're interested, send me a message. Please be kind.
July 31, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Anyone interested in Cadbury World tickets? I accidentally booked tickets for the wrong date and I can't go. It's for 6 adults a child (6-15yo) and another child under 5years old, for the 3rd September (not the 3rd August as I planned). If you're interested, send me a message. Please be kind.
A quick note for the record: I enjoyed my NPQ course. The delivery was great. The networking and sharing of ideas etc was invaluable. It's the final feedback I find fault with.
The NPQH and NPQSL final assessment feedback I've read recently is dreadful.
If you've passed, you get an email saying congratulations, but no feedback on your assignment at all. None.
If your assignment has been marked below the threshold, the feedback received is too vague to be helpful.
If you've passed, you get an email saying congratulations, but no feedback on your assignment at all. None.
If your assignment has been marked below the threshold, the feedback received is too vague to be helpful.
July 31, 2025 at 7:32 AM
A quick note for the record: I enjoyed my NPQ course. The delivery was great. The networking and sharing of ideas etc was invaluable. It's the final feedback I find fault with.
The NPQH and NPQSL final assessment feedback I've read recently is dreadful.
If you've passed, you get an email saying congratulations, but no feedback on your assignment at all. None.
If your assignment has been marked below the threshold, the feedback received is too vague to be helpful.
If you've passed, you get an email saying congratulations, but no feedback on your assignment at all. None.
If your assignment has been marked below the threshold, the feedback received is too vague to be helpful.
July 31, 2025 at 6:33 AM
The NPQH and NPQSL final assessment feedback I've read recently is dreadful.
If you've passed, you get an email saying congratulations, but no feedback on your assignment at all. None.
If your assignment has been marked below the threshold, the feedback received is too vague to be helpful.
If you've passed, you get an email saying congratulations, but no feedback on your assignment at all. None.
If your assignment has been marked below the threshold, the feedback received is too vague to be helpful.
Reposted by Tom Oakley
It’s KS2 results day tomorrow. If anyone has any questions about accountability measures, which pupils are included and which ones aren’t, and how things are calculated, please do ask. I’ll be around all day.
July 7, 2025 at 8:12 AM
It’s KS2 results day tomorrow. If anyone has any questions about accountability measures, which pupils are included and which ones aren’t, and how things are calculated, please do ask. I’ll be around all day.
'Constant difference' is a game changer for many children but be sure to help them to understand this, by exploring the structure with manipulatives and visual representations, before assuming they "get it."
July 5, 2025 at 4:57 PM
'Constant difference' is a game changer for many children but be sure to help them to understand this, by exploring the structure with manipulatives and visual representations, before assuming they "get it."
I Know Where You Buried Your Husband: A page-turning, darkly funny new thriller for summer 2025, perfect for fans of Celeste Ng and ‘Bad Sisters’
amzn.eu/d/2ulkAA0
A colleague at my wife's school has just released her first novel. If you're looking for a great summer read, look no further.
amzn.eu/d/2ulkAA0
A colleague at my wife's school has just released her first novel. If you're looking for a great summer read, look no further.
I Know Where You Buried Your Husband: A page-turning, darkly funny new thriller for summer 2025, perfect for fans of Celeste Ng and ‘Bad Sisters’ : O'Hare, Marie: Amazon.co.uk: Books
I Know Where You Buried Your Husband: A page-turning, darkly funny new thriller for summer 2025, perfect for fans of Celeste Ng and ‘Bad Sisters’ : O'Hare, Marie: Amazon.co.uk: Books
amzn.eu
July 5, 2025 at 10:35 AM
I Know Where You Buried Your Husband: A page-turning, darkly funny new thriller for summer 2025, perfect for fans of Celeste Ng and ‘Bad Sisters’
amzn.eu/d/2ulkAA0
A colleague at my wife's school has just released her first novel. If you're looking for a great summer read, look no further.
amzn.eu/d/2ulkAA0
A colleague at my wife's school has just released her first novel. If you're looking for a great summer read, look no further.
A great day at #EducationFest with talks by Doug Lemov, Sarah Cottinghatt and John Tomsett the highlights for me.
It was a long day (6 hours driving in total) but it was like food for the mind and soul. Just what I needed after a heavy few days.
Thanks to the organisers speakers & folks on stalls
It was a long day (6 hours driving in total) but it was like food for the mind and soul. Just what I needed after a heavy few days.
Thanks to the organisers speakers & folks on stalls
July 3, 2025 at 5:55 PM
A great day at #EducationFest with talks by Doug Lemov, Sarah Cottinghatt and John Tomsett the highlights for me.
It was a long day (6 hours driving in total) but it was like food for the mind and soul. Just what I needed after a heavy few days.
Thanks to the organisers speakers & folks on stalls
It was a long day (6 hours driving in total) but it was like food for the mind and soul. Just what I needed after a heavy few days.
Thanks to the organisers speakers & folks on stalls
Well, that happened. Glad that Ofsted were able to fit us in before the summer holidays.
July 2, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Well, that happened. Glad that Ofsted were able to fit us in before the summer holidays.
Mrs Oakley has now completed 9 marathons in 9 months. She has three to go.
Previously, she's ran in freezing conditions, into serious headwinds, and through giant muddy puddles. Today it was 30 degree heat!
Who knows what the next three months will have in store!? Hopefully, cooler weather.
Previously, she's ran in freezing conditions, into serious headwinds, and through giant muddy puddles. Today it was 30 degree heat!
Who knows what the next three months will have in store!? Hopefully, cooler weather.
June 28, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Mrs Oakley has now completed 9 marathons in 9 months. She has three to go.
Previously, she's ran in freezing conditions, into serious headwinds, and through giant muddy puddles. Today it was 30 degree heat!
Who knows what the next three months will have in store!? Hopefully, cooler weather.
Previously, she's ran in freezing conditions, into serious headwinds, and through giant muddy puddles. Today it was 30 degree heat!
Who knows what the next three months will have in store!? Hopefully, cooler weather.
This is excellent and should be read by everyone who works on curriculum design and implementation.
June 28, 2025 at 4:58 AM
This is excellent and should be read by everyone who works on curriculum design and implementation.
Reposted by Tom Oakley
June 24, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Reposted by Tom Oakley
Reposted by Tom Oakley
It is time to get this one out there again… educontrarianblog.com/2023/05/28/t...
The 7 inconvenient truths of school improvement planning
Call it what you will, the time to think about the school improvement plan has come around again, because God forbid we should be happy with what we have. ;-) Fitter, healthier, more productiveR…
educontrarianblog.com
June 12, 2025 at 6:24 PM
It is time to get this one out there again… educontrarianblog.com/2023/05/28/t...
Reposted by Tom Oakley
The first video in a mini-series on how the I See Reasoning questions to can help children to answer some of the SATS questions.
Video 1: the cube question!
Video 1: the cube question!
June 12, 2025 at 7:21 PM
The first video in a mini-series on how the I See Reasoning questions to can help children to answer some of the SATS questions.
Video 1: the cube question!
Video 1: the cube question!
@dc-litchfield.bsky.social
I just wanted to say thank you, again. This time for writing and illustrating The Dinosaur Next Door. I've just read it to my boys and we were totally captivated. It's a magical story and it's love at first read for our family.
I just wanted to say thank you, again. This time for writing and illustrating The Dinosaur Next Door. I've just read it to my boys and we were totally captivated. It's a magical story and it's love at first read for our family.
June 11, 2025 at 5:28 PM
@dc-litchfield.bsky.social
I just wanted to say thank you, again. This time for writing and illustrating The Dinosaur Next Door. I've just read it to my boys and we were totally captivated. It's a magical story and it's love at first read for our family.
I just wanted to say thank you, again. This time for writing and illustrating The Dinosaur Next Door. I've just read it to my boys and we were totally captivated. It's a magical story and it's love at first read for our family.
Today, Mrs O (also a teacher) is running her 8th marathon in 8 months. This time, we're in Edinburgh and it's really windy! I'm hoping she doesn't get blown away.
May 25, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Today, Mrs O (also a teacher) is running her 8th marathon in 8 months. This time, we're in Edinburgh and it's really windy! I'm hoping she doesn't get blown away.