Another Times column calling for 'creativity' and '21st century skills' in the school curriculum.
Why is this wrong?
To recap, skills are domain specific.
To develop useful skills beyond a basic level, you need to master the knowledge behind them.
@childrensociety
@TheDifferenceEd
How about, instead of blaming teachers, we collectively properly resourced and supported some sort of agency with the job of enforcing the laws and arresting the criminal groups you mention?
📢Exciting news at Dixons! We are launching our new flexible working plan which will come into effect in the next academic year and includes a nine-day fortnight for teachers!
Find out more here:
#FlexibleWorking
#Teaching
Congratulations to Bradford Citizens
@DixonsAcademies
winner of The Tim Brighouse Community Engagement Initiative of the Year 👏
Well done on securing changes for your local community.
#TesAwards
Super proud of
@DixonsAcademies
students representing their schools and communities at the Convention of the North today. Some brilliant conversations.
Today students from 14 schools across the Bradford District came together to celebrate our work this year in giving young people a voice in decision making with
@CitizensUK
. Thanks
@TracyBrabin
for celebrating with us and agreeing to work together!
Career highlight - 8
@DixonsAcademies
from across the North at the
@CitizensUK
general election assembly, with
@FStewartHistory
doing a superb job as part of the team putting our Citizens manifesto to Conservative, Labour and Lib Dems politicians.
Great to see
@DixonsAcademies
announcement of the Dixons 9 day fortnight is making a splash.
Here's a thread about leadership,
@ldsparkes
and innovation.
A few years ago...
Really proud of what is happening today. 150 young leaders are coming together from across Bradford, representing 30 schools and 15,000 young people.
They'll be debating and deciding on next steps for our campaigns on cost of living, mental health and anti-racism.
@GavinBarwell
Politicians and journalists need to see 'political talent' like the rest of us, i.e. can you deliver for the people you serve. At that he was spectacularly useless.
Being too clever by half ultimately just doesn't matter.
Something big is happening in Bradford. At 22 schools across the district, over 10,000 young people have taken part in our
@Bradford_Citz
listening campaign to hear what needs to change in the city right now. On Wednesday, they decide what their priority will be.
This is important - lots of positives in the Blunkett report today but a lot of disappointing backsliding on the progress that's been made on curriculum, teaching and learning. Watch this space.
We are a grassroots group of teachers who have been called to action by the publication of
@UKLabour
's report on education and skills today.
We believe in a fair, broad, balanced, knowledge-rich education as an entitlement for all children.
Coming to the end of my sixth year
@DixonsTA
(although I arguably do more work for
@DixonsAcademies
now)... Six years ago what we did was a bit weird.
Now, it's standard practice in the sector.
I couldn't be more proud of Team Trinity.
School children of Bradford now speaking at
#ALC22
. Great to have the perspectives of those young people’s lives we are committed to changing - for the better!
Superb letter from a group of teachers who have come together today in response to the Blunkett report. We are united in wanting Labour to be offering a positive plan for schools that builds on what is working already.
@bphillipsonMP
An Open Letter
We've worked on this response to the Report of the Council of Skills Advisers from
@UKLabour
Hopefully it gives you some idea of where we stand and what we hope to change.
I'm so so proud that students from Bradford got to go to the seat of our democracy today and speak about racism on an equal footing with senior parliamentarians.
@FStewartHistory
continuing to be an inspirational teacher.
Bradford Citizens goes to London! Privilege to hear our young leaders speak to MPs at the Show Racism the Red Card APPG. Students spoke about the need for racial justice in education. MPs were incredibly impressed + have promised to work on our demands
#teamBradford
#makingchange
Read about
@Young_in_covid
in today's
@Bradford_TandA
. These young people are highlighting the legacy of the pandemic - we need to invest in mental health support and covid recovery so this generation can thrive.
Reading through the
@ChildoftheNort1
report is astounding. If my school was in London, unequal funding means we'd be able to hire, at a conservative estimate, nine more members of staff.
NINE.
For a small school.
There's your attainment gap right there.
So pleased to support
@Young_in_covid
with the community premiere
@DixonsTA
tonight. A must watch - young people across Bradford showing incredible leadership.
Today! We are proud to have a group of students from our Bradford schools taking part in the Schools Pandemic Recovery Workshops alongside their peers from across the city. The focus for Dixons will be on Anti Racism. Thanks to all involved from
#TeamDixons
.
#WeHearYou
@tombennett71
Bit unfair Tom. I don't think teachers do this as a rule (and I've known a fair few radical left teachers).
It's good to induct kids into being a citizen. It's not always easy but it is part of the job. I think teachers usually do it well.
This is
@AQA
basically admitting that their exams are written with a pro-London bias.
Even if that's unavoidable, it's an illustration of why it's easier for children in the capital to do better.
More evidence of why we need a proper plan to close the gap.
1/ I find this area of the examiner report from
@AQA
a bitter pill to swallow. We are constantly assured that those with less knowledge on the topic (transport/surfing etc) will not outperform those without it. So, namely, what I'm saying is: the topic of the text shouldn't
As part of our reduction of staff workload to facilitate our 9 day fortnight
@DixonsAcademies
, we're trialling increasing our use of AI in our pastoral teams.
The AI will be trained in a range of restorative approaches.
Since then, the teaching profession has come on leaps and bounds. It's now widely accepted that subject knowledge has to drive how you teach. Learning skills is domain-specific.
Very good as ever from Daisy, and I would expect better from
@theRSAorg
. Articles about the future of the NHS rarely refer to leeches as cutting edge medicine.
In 2013, I wrote a book about educational myths.
I *didn't* include learning styles. Why?
Because even in 2013, so much research had already been published showing they were bunk. Didn't feel worth me going over it all again.
It's now 2023. What's in today's Financial Times?
Bradford young people once again being recognised for their national leadership. Great to see and fully deserved. Look forward to a sequel
@Young_in_covid
!
Please read. School trusts are emerging as stabilising forces in communities. At Dixons we want to:
- give students and families a voice
- build family support hubs
- build and engage with place-based partnerships that tackle disadvantage
Deep economic and social changes have made the civic role of public institutions even more vital. This requires us to think in longer term horizons and to build
#SchoolTrusts
as public institutions. My new year's blog for
@CSTvoice
members.
Mary is right. I don't mind a bit of personal risk, but I don't want to risk staff and students' families. Many live with elderly relatives. Science has to be watertight before we reopen.
I have just heard a govt. spokesman on R4 saying that schools could re-open early in a staged relaxation of the lock down. So I have the following questions:
What evidence is there that, although children may not get very sick with COVID, the same is true for their teachers?
@mds49
puts an interesting question to the
#BritainRenewed
room - about how government needs to change if it is to benefit from the wisdom of communities (of fate and otherwise!).
Maryam has some of the answer, describing the
@Bradford_Citz
approach to sharing that wisdom:
Back in the mists of time when I trained as a teacher (2010), I was told all lessons had to involve group work, and the teacher shouldn't talk very much. The ideal lesson would involve kids in groups doing things with post-its.
Great day for
@Bradford_Citz
as we continue to build our alliance - we will hold a listening campaign over the next two months that will speak to over 10,000 young people in the city.
32 Trusts CEOs and Headteachers/Principals coming together for a training on Community Organising and Civic Leadership. Should be fun! Well done for making this happen,
@MrJLauder
@Shirley01756
!
When the govt u-turns on the education recovery plan, here's what it should focus on. In the meantime, we'll be working with schools, trusts, the council and community groups across Bradford to make it happen:
Tomorrow is the Community Launch of our film Young in Covid. We have spent the past few weeks working so so hard to make it happen and we didn’t actually realise how much work it takes. We want to thank all those people supporting us and we hope to make you and
#Bradford
proud 🙏🏼
The Inspiring Futures Project is a milestone for young people in Bradford and Leeds. Serious money invested in Bangladeshi and Pakistani youth. I can't wait to see where it goes. Keep up the good work
@kaneezkhan31
@HamaraCentre
A splendid evening yesterday celebrating the launch of the 1.7 million Inspiring Futures Project poised to generate vital employment opportunities for young people from Bradford and Leeds. Congratulations to
@HamaraCentre
@kaneezkhan31
for leading this game changing work.
A first look at our innovative civic responsibility work drops on
@Dixons_OS
tomorrow... This is a massively important part of Dixons' offer and I'm excited to be able to share it.
Here's a look at this week's episode on civic responsibility with
@MrJLauder
. We are doing lots of exciting things in this space
@DixonsAcademies
and we can't wait to share them with you.
Last week (seems like a lifetime ago), 8 Dixons schools joined the
@CitizensUK
general election assembly to put our collecting priorities to the political parties.
Today
@dixonsaa
went back to remind newly elected MPs of their commitments!
Student leadership team and delegations from across Citizens UK are here together to celebrate the many successes achieved over the past few years, as key relationships have been built with key decision makers from across the country.
After a long day at school, I've finally read Labour's policy doc.
It's high risk and potentially high reward, if they make good on their promise to implement it in partnership with teachers.
Thread time! 1/8
Interesting debate on silent corridors - Nicole is right, at Trinity silent corridors help make the school a safe space for all. One reason why our most vulnerable kids do amazingly well and are very happy.
@stuart_guest
Silent corridors is calmer, safer, more purposeful and more inclusive... if implemented with kindness, framed and explained so that everyone opts into it.
Also have to disagree with Jim O'Neill -
@DixonsAcademies
is one of the best MATs nationwide and we exist to challenge educational and social disadvantage in the North
“We don’t agree with Lord Jim O’Neill. Many education trusts have an excellent track record of supporting schools in all sorts of contexts, despite all the challenges”: my comments on behalf of
@ASCL_UK
about the impact of the best trusts:
Tomorrow we take a big next step in building power for young people and their families. Students from across Bradford will decide what they want to change in our district.
One day to go until our young people share lived experience and determine the actions that will make a difference to our community.
#studentvoice
#schoolspandemicrecovery
Esther Ghey on
@BBCRadio4
this morning is inspirational, talking about the harms of smartphones for young people.
As teachers we see this daily and it is undoubtedly a big factor in the mental health crisis.
The silent corridors debate is back!
My two cents: thousands of kids across the country are persistently absent due to anxiety.
Silent corridors are one tool for tackling poor attendance. They provide calm and certainty.
Exciting opportunity to help us build back better in Bradford, taking forward our pandemic recovery agenda for young people and their families as an
@CitizensUK
organiser - DM me for more details and please share!
I'm heartbroken over the terrorist attacks on my Muslim brothers and sisters in my home town, but touched by the response of people in Bradford. Kia kaha
#Christchurch
So impressed by these young people and the leadership from
@SHinchcliffe
and other system leaders - clear commitment to work collaboratively to map mental health provision in Bradford schools and fill the gaps.
Great to participate in the Wellbeing Board
@bradfordmdc
today. Thanks so much for listening to our stories and campaign for better
#mentalhealth
provision for ALL
#Bradford
young people.
Reading teacher twitter tonight just reminds me again what a privilege it is to work
@DixonsTA
. Everyone has it tough at the moment but I'm so proud of how we've faced this year as a school.
The Court found it was legally permissible to discriminate against Muslim students given the circumstances.
I don't think it's morally permissible.
I used to think differently; I was wrong.
I have so much admiration for the achievements at Michaela Community School in Wembley. Students there are safe, successful, and learn in dignity. They get an education that people would pay thousands for, for free. Families that send their children there know their children are
This is not a political account (some of my best friends are Tories), but the racism and Islamophobia coming from senior Conservative politicians today, and currently going unchallenged by their leadership, is awful.
Excited to be a part of this landmark research into social integration in Bradford.
@DixonsAcademies
are committed to challenging educational and social disadvantage - proud to play our part!
Really proud of all staff and students
@DixonsTA
, absolutely incredible results. 85% grade 4 and above in English and Maths, over 90 grade 9s across the board.
So that's why a group of teachers set up
@CEITeaching
today. No return to the dark ages of unevidenced centrally mandated compulsory 'skills' driven teaching that has repeatedly failed.
An honour to be at the premiere of
@Young_in_covid
Routes to Recovery. These powerful young people have made a call to action - we need to invest in this generation, and in mental health, for our country to have a bright future.
If you want to hear from me about how Dixons is an anchor institution in our communities, helping our families build power, sign up!
This Thursday, 4pm online.
We are opening up our next OpenSource virtual event for everyone to attend!
Our Trust Civic Responsibility Lead,
@MrJLauder
will be discussing our work in this space and how we support to amplify the voices of our students.
Sign up by emailing opensource
@dixonsat
.com
Today was our
@Bradford_Citz
listening summit! Young leaders from 24 schools across the district coming together to decide on their campaigning priorities this year. Watch this space.
Kevan Collins and Justine Greening are both right to point out today that refusing to fund the covid catch up plan -> regional divide in GCSEs this week.
The plan cost £15bn.
Not choosing the plan is costing far more.
@ChildoftheNort1
is making this case. Level up, not down.
Students from
@carr_manor
and
@DixonsAcademies
spoke at the
#NetZero
workshop at the Convention of the North today to ask for a commitment to Green Jobs and better consultation of young people in Net Zero Policy Areas
#COTN24
Couldn't disagree more.
Every child is equally entitled to learn about human achievements, so they can contribute themselves one day.
No going back to separating children into sheep and goats.
@adamboxer1
This is so grim, sorry Adam. I cannot for the life of me understand why someone would use that phrase in the context of debating teaching techniques.
Finally, Russell again invokes the tired old trope that tech means there's no point teaching knowledge.
Kids still need a rigorous introduction to human knowledge.
They can build on this as they specialise in life.
Or perhaps ChatGPT can run schools and play in the Cup final.
Very welcome to see this in the Labour manifesto on curriculum. Change is needed - the curriculum is too narrow and the challenges we face are too great.
But it's essential this is done taking into account the vital foundations of knowledge in each subject.
Young in Covid: Routes to Recovery is now live!
It's been a pleasure to support these young people speak up.
Everyone at
@DixonsAcademies
and
@Bradford_Citz
has your back.
We need more mental health support for young people.
1) Great to be back with our partners
@DixonsTA
@MrJLauder
to discuss filming at the school for
@Young_in_covid
2! Sad to hear they have found similar challenges like us with students such as DV, family breakdowns, mental health & food poverty in their post pandemic recovery.
The
@CitizensUK
general election manifesto is now live! I'm proud
@DixonsAcademies
has contributed to these ambitious, grassroots driven proposals that have been 12 months in the making.
Also features a great photo of
@FStewartHistory
:)
Very pleased to contribute to this report, that takes the (currently disastrous) issue of support for autistic children and proposes localised, school driven solutions.
We’re now the Centre for Young Lives.
Today we’re publishing the first in a series of reports in partnership with
@ChildoftheNort1
setting out evidence-based solutions to the children’s
#autism
assessment and support crisis.
Tonight people from across West Yorkshire came together to get commitments from the candidates for Mayor on mental health, the living wage, transport and tackling racism. Excellent work from
@CitizensUK
.
This morning, young people from across the Bradford District went to ask council and NHS leaders if they would work with us to improve mental health provision in schools. They said yes!
#win
for
@Bradford_Citz
Anyone who supports the voices of young people and their families in Bradford is a friend of ours. Thanks for all the positive engagement so far and let me know if you want to find out more!
We are proud to announce we will be feeding into the Every Story Matters
@covidinquiryuk
which will learn lessons from the pandemic & how it was managed. We are so lucky to have caught live footage through our films! It’s a late one in the office for us to prepare for tomorrow.