AnEnglishteacher
@mcallister1.bsky.social
610 followers 1.1K following 510 posts
Politics - especially local libdemery, education, books , theatre and opera, #vanlife but only in school holidays. #TeamEnglish #TheArchers
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Reposted by AnEnglishteacher
silvamay82.bsky.social
Again, iGCSEs - which aren't available to those in state schools - gain a possible advantage. While I don't disagree with open book (learning quotations is a waste of learning time), this just widens the gap and creates further inequality in an already unfair system.
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
Cambridge to make all IGCSE English literature exams open book
Students already had the possibility of consulting drama texts in the exam but, in future, all Cambridge IGCSE literature in English papers will be open book, including prose
www.tes.com
Reposted by AnEnglishteacher
goodlawproject.org
These are absolutely horrifying numbers which also tell a grim, grim story of family courts. I hope, as @drproudman.bsky.social and others have been arguing, they cause family courts to rethink how they approach domestic violence and abuse. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Majority of family court cases in England and Wales feature domestic abuse, watchdog says
Commissioner’s review found 87% of cases uncovered physical, psychological or sexual abuse of a family member
www.theguardian.com
Reposted by AnEnglishteacher
libdems.org.uk
LIB DEM WIN!

The government has finally given in to our longstanding campaign to improve the quality of military family homes.

Our amendment to the Renters’ Rights Bill will, require the Ministry of Defence to assess service family housing and report on whether it meets the Decent Homes Standard.
Reposted by AnEnglishteacher
elisewang.bsky.social
For those not fluent in Catholic: refusing the Monstrance is not denying prisoners the Eucharist, it is refusing Christ himself, since Christ is present in the Monstrance.

If Portland’s blow up animals are the right language for Portland, this is the right language for Chicago.
richraho.bsky.social
Chicago priest Fr. Larry Dowling describes procession to ICE facility: “No one had the courage to speak directly to us. No one from Homeland Security could stand in the presence of the Monstrance holding the Blessed Sacrament. No wonder. Evil is repelled, recoils in the presence of Christ.”
Reposted by AnEnglishteacher
colmuseums.bsky.social
An evening of uneasy history at Colchester Castle: A. D. Bergin discusses The Wicked of the Earth, then curator Ben Paites explores the town’s witchfinding past. Includes a brief look at the prisons.

Thu 16 Oct • Adults • Limited bar
Tickets: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events/twote-adbergin
Book titled The Wicked of the Earth by A. D. Bergin, featuring a predominantly red cover with the title and author’s name in white cursive text. A gold emblem appears near the bottom centre. The background illustration depicts a historical cityscape with buildings and ships, suggesting a historical fiction theme. The backdrop behind the book echoes this old city scene, reinforcing the period setting.
mcallister1.bsky.social
I hope @rory-stewart.bsky.social and Alistair have seen this
oregonian.com
Portland's famous Unipiper was spotted at the Portland ICE protest where he played his bagpipes in front of Santa, Mr. Potato Head, Garfield and more -- all while surrounded by bubbles.

More on how the tone of Portland's protests has shifted: www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/1...
Reposted by AnEnglishteacher
Reposted by AnEnglishteacher
robfordmancs.bsky.social
Among the many possibilities for the next few years, the scenario of swapping one pair of dominant parties (Lab and Con) for another (Reform and LD) is intriguing, under-discussed and, in English elections, not entirely implausible either (several county councils made this leap in May)
electionmaps.uk
Aggregate Result of the 122 Council By-Elections (for 125 Seats) since the 2025 Local Elections:

RFM: 47 (+40)
LDM: 32 (+10)
CON: 13 (-15)
LAB: 12 (-30)
GRN: 11 (+3)
Ind: 5 (-4)
Local: 3 (-3)
SNP: 1 (-1)
PLC: 1 (=)

Explore: electionmaps.uk/byelections-...
mcallister1.bsky.social
Well I see we are well onto everyone else deciding what they are doing at Christmas. I could not take the strain of a mere 3 months negotiation period and declare in July. Obviously it is too soon to consider up till then as there hasn't been time for the reality to wear off after the last one
Reposted by AnEnglishteacher
sarapartridge.bsky.social
There are reports that the *entire* office of special education at the US Dept of Education has been cut. These hardworking folks ensure kids with disabilities get equal access to a quality education.

America’s children deserve better than this.
mcallister1.bsky.social
Very fortunate to have this on BBC iplayer as part of the Storyville strand. It is a great film and should be a chilling warning to the UK to stop allowing these US extremists from funding organisations here #censorship #librarians #Englishteaching #schools
thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social
“A different kind of superhero movie.” - The Hollywood Reporter

See THE LIBRARIANS in UK theaters starting 09/26. In US theaters starting 10/03.

Get tickets: TheLibrariansFilm.com/screenings
Reposted by AnEnglishteacher
samfr.bsky.social
I've been to Dubai for work a few times. It's like the world's biggest airport lounge. Utterly soulless. Can't imagine wanting to live there whatever the financial benefits. (That's before you get to the ethical issues...)
katie0martin.ft.com
People keep telling me the UK is so over and they're going to move to Dubai and, like, fine. Go on then. Would you like directions to the airport?
janinegibson.ft.com
You definitely shouldn't move to Dubai, writes V&A director Tristram Hunt on.ft.com/46MfW1t
mcallister1.bsky.social
Someone funded those fleeces...
mcallister1.bsky.social
Oh I hope that works. £80 is too much money You are right ..it is insane
mcallister1.bsky.social
I read a news story that pharmacies had problems with people turning up who had been able to book but were no longer entitled. I hope you get it. It is a very restricted list. :(
a list of who is entitled to the NHS covid vaccine
mcallister1.bsky.social
...the practice nurse said she thought it was both supply and cost
mcallister1.bsky.social
They've tightened up the list of who is offered covid free. You will probably need to pay about £80 for it at a pharmacy if you want it..For me, that is money well spent. Flu is free for over 65s or people with eg asthma. It seems mad to me that flu is considered a bigger risk than covid but...
Reposted by AnEnglishteacher
tgannawade.bsky.social
This is humanity at its very best. Fighting madness with absurdity. Viva Portland! 😃
oregonian.com
Things are happening at Portland's ICE facility tonight.

Read more of our protest coverage here: www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/1...
mcallister1.bsky.social
I think these are worse when you've not had that particular jab before eg I was ill after shingles jab and I also am dreading a double tomorrow of flu and pneumonia. Hope it went OK!
Reposted by AnEnglishteacher
luxalptraum.com
TFW you paid $1400 to see Beckett’s most famous work without knowing anything about it
One Star Review of Waiting for Godot on Broadway
I recently attended Waiting for Godot on Broadway and spent over $1,400 for two Row C seats (103 and 104). I'm a longtime admirer of Broadway productions and even hold a season pass for Shea's Performing Arts Theatre, so I came in with genuine enthusiasm and high expectations. Unfortunately, this show was unlike anything ! have ever experienced —and not in a good way.
What I encountered was not the artistry, music, or emotional storytelling I usually associate with Broadway, but instead what felt like an endless cycle of nonsensical conversation between characters who seemed trapped in their own madness. I tried-truly tried-to find meaning, symbolism, or even a thread of emotional resonance. I stayed through the first half hoping the second would offer clarity. But by intermission, it was clear: this was a waste of both time and money.
Keanu Reeves is an actor I respect greatly, but I cannot fathom why he would agree to participate in such a disjointed, inaccessible production. His talent was lost in a performance that defied reason rather than provoked insight.
To anyone considering attending: unless you are drawn to highly abstract, nearly incomprehensible theater, I strongly caution you against this show. For the average, educated, thoughtful theatergoer, it is far more frustrating than fulfilling. In my opinion, this was the single most disappointing Broadway experience I've ever had - an unfortunate waste of money and, more importantly, of time.
Reposted by AnEnglishteacher
Reposted by AnEnglishteacher
atrupar.com
Pritzker: "This guy is unhinged. He's insecure. He's a wannabe dictator. And there's one thing I really want to say to Donald Trump. If you come for my people, you come through me. So come and get me."
mcallister1.bsky.social
There is one steady shoulder to cry on though...
mcallister1.bsky.social
I like your thinking! But setting up pressure to move the shop out of the church rather than relating to George. Otherwisewe might think it was a sensible use of resources and the upcoming battle for the shop would lose its potency?