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Lucy Whiffin

@lucyw1982.bsky.social

480 followers 1.2K following 150 posts

Year 6 teacher, Maths and KS2 lead living and working in Somerset. Single mum to three fabulous, exhausting children.

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Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 1h

This is spot on. I don't think people outside of schools (unless they live with people working in schools) have any idea about the reality of it. It depresses me at the moment. We know what Ofsted will say, we know what we need to do, but we can't practically manage it. Feels like failure every day.

AR @psalisbury.bsky.social · 3d

One of the things that most gets on my nerves about Ofsted is that when they turn up, they don’t take the day to day reality of many schools into account. There is a feeling that ‘all schools have these issues’ or ‘well, that’s school life’. Let me explain with an example…

Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 3d

Yes I remember reading about "flattening the grass." The idea of it, that someone who works with children would think it is appropriate, is heart-breaking.

Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 3d

I hadn't thought of that but makes a lot of sense. Ofsted really need to dig deep into schools' records on this, as well as the new starters that schools welcome, so that schools who really work on inclusion are celebrated not punished.

Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 3d

I wish as a sector we had the time and money to be able to work together to create a cohesive system that allows all children to thrive. And, as you say, that is tailored for a given context. It's really quite depressing. (Also, the education sector alone cannot solve the issues in schools).

Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 3d

I think the issue is lack of resources- in both primary and secondary- to be able to truly do what is best for the children. It's about "managing" the best we can. And for secondaries, that often seems to be through overly rigid rules and control.

Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 3d

It is sad because I see more and more engaged, curious children go to secondary school and start to hate school. I don't want to bash secondary schools. The staff and headteacher at our local secondary school are amazing- dedicated and thoughtful.

Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 5d

I bet it is. Take care x

Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 5d

Hope your recovery is complete and doesn't take too long...that sounds painful. Don't push yourself too hard x

Reposted by Lucy Whiffin

Edwin Hayward @edwinhayward.com · 6d

The closer than the Tories get to Reform, the more it makes sense for Labour to leave them to it and head back towards the centre. Stop bashing immigrants 24/7 and concentrate on the important stuff.

Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 7d

And so many staff continually going above and beyond, with impact on their own lives, but it is never enough.

Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 7d

It's getting me down at the moment. I usually manage to see the positives but I am so fed up with schools just being left to scrape together what they possibly can to provide the basics of what the children need rather than being supported to offer the best possible education for every child.

Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 8d

Of course it won't. It'll be further fuel for headlines about how "95% of children can't read", and "What have the primary schools been doing?"

Answer: toilet training, speech and language, supporting families in crisis and the ever increasing number of children with high needs to attend school.

DamsonEd @damsoned.bsky.social · 8d

So, I wondered what theses teachers think a test in Yr8 is going to do?

Is it going to unlock more resource to teacher children? Unlikely. Certainly hasn’t done for younger children in Yr1.

bsky.app/profile/scho...

Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 9d

More teachers back government plans for a mandatory reading test in year 8 than oppose it – but leaders are more sceptical, new polling shows

schoolsweek.co.uk/year-8-readi...

Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 8d

My 14yo 'baby' woke up at 4.45, her excitement also waking me. I would be mad, but how can I when she is so excited?

Reposted by Lucy Whiffin

SomersetWhovian 💙 🇺🇦 📎 @clairecopperman.bsky.social · 9d

To everyone in Britain's Jewish Community: you are not alone.

We will not let hate or those who spread it win.

We stand with you.

Reposted by Lucy Whiffin

Alex Andreou @sturdyalex.bsky.social · 9d

I have watched his bit and the bit after Kuenssberg asks the question about 20 times and my ribs hurt.

Janey, Janey, Janey, still making me laugh from beyond.

Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 11d

In total agreement with @michaelt1979.bsky.social here. Funding a "library space" is impractical and pointless, unless they are also going to fund a librarian, in which case bring it on! (*of course they are not).
I think people outside of schools think we have spare adults floating about to step in

Jon Severs @jonsevers.bsky.social · 11d

Does the primary school library pledge make sense - financially or otherwise?

Not really. And neither the DfE nor the Treasury seemed to know anything about after it was announced, so that's no surprise.

@ellencph.bsky.social digs into what it actually is.

www.tes.com/magazine/ana...

Does the government primary school library promise add up?

Labour has announced that every primary school will have its own library by 2029, but questions about funding and implementation remain, finds Ellen Peirson-Hagger

Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 13d

Well, I've already got something out of it... just reserved The Lamb from the library. Sounds intriguing...

Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 13d

I think it's me 😀

Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 14d

Exactly what I came to say.

Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 20d

This is excellent. I've got to deliver a maths staff meeting soon on variation and this will be very helpful.

Carl Hendrick @carlhendrick.substack.com · 20d

Latest post on a book I've been thinking about for a long time ⬇️

open.substack.com/pub/carlhend...

10 Rules for Designing Effective Learning

Or How to Plan Teaching That Works for All Students, Not Just the Strongest

open.substack.com

Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 20d

This is covered through some of the other rules though.

Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · 28d

My best friend's son is off next week and it's the first time I've fully appreciated what it means for parents. The mixture of feelings must be intense. I hope it all goes well for both of you.

Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · Sep 11

Woah!! Looks like I got a really good price! I hope you find something more realistic.

Lucy Whiffin @lucyw1982.bsky.social · Sep 11

I paid £500 for a small 3 bed move, just for the removal not packing etc and it was just down the road.

Reposted by Lucy Whiffin

Ed Davey @eddavey.libdems.org.uk · Sep 9

The BBC are constantly fawning over Farage's every move despite Reform only having four MPs. Our national broadcaster should reflect the whole country, not just one man’s ego.