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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 4d

Ready for 10YO to become 11YO! #murdermostunladylike @redbreastedbird.bsky.social

Birthday cake with 'Birthday Most Unladylike' iced on it, with a magnifying glass, footprints and blood splatter.

Reposted by Claire Smith

Louie Stowell @louiestowell.bsky.social · 16d

Not an expert in the field but I suspect teachers and schools already KNOW which students are struggling with reading. What they need are solutions. Such as funding for libraries with librarians.

Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 16d

Exclusive: The government plans to introduce a mandatory reading test for year 8 pupils in its upcoming schools white paper, amid fears poorer children are disengaging in the early years of secondary school

schoolsweek.co.uk/year-8s-to-s...

White paper to usher in year 8 reading test

Move to ensure poorer pupils are not shut off from wider curriculum

schoolsweek.co.uk

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 24d

So tempted to jump in with a note about allergies, dietary requirements, promoting healthy lifestyles, etc. but the class WhatsApp group is like a nest of vipers. Have emailed school with positive feedback instead - let schools know you're on their side!

Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 24d

School have sent out a message asking people to stop sending tons of sweets in to school for birthdays. Class WhatsApp group is going mad. 'What is the world coming to?', they ask. 'This is really sad'. 'But school will still allow cake sales - how is that fair?'

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · 26d

10YO is learning about WWII this term, so we're reading 'When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit' by Judith Kerr together. Handily, this month's Aquila magazine (which I generally highly recommend) is on WWII, so we knocked up a little diorama at the weekend.

#aquilamagazine #TheBlitz #schoolhistory

Diorama of a London underground station being used as shelter during the Blitz.

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · Sep 10

10YO is in Year 6 now, and finally free of book bands! She was so excited to show me the Year 6 library. Why she hasn't been allowed near it in the previous five years at the school is a mystery to me 🙄

Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · Aug 27

They say never meet your heroes, but 7YO was beside himself to meet Orinoco today #wombles #heightsofabraham

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · Aug 25

Four months ago, my friend tearfully asked if we'd give one of her cats a home - she'd adopted a pair of kittens who just didn't get on once they'd reached maturity. We'd never had a pet before. We had to learn quickly.

Today, we celebrated Cat's 2nd birthday. We're all besotted.

#birthdaycat

Tabby cat looks at a birthday candle stuck on a tin of tuna, with party hat and birthday card in the background.

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Reposted by Claire Smith

Jamie Smart @jamiesmart.bsky.social · Aug 25

Happy ‘it’s a bank holiday that’s why they’re not replying to your emails’ Day to all the freelancers! 🥳

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · Aug 23

Well, I wasn't expecting the latest Grimwood to lead to discussions with 7YO and 10YO about politics, but very glad it did! Another excellent story.

We've finally decided we're ready for Roald Dahl's 'The Witches' now. Just read the bit about how to recognise a witch. Both kids absolutely gripped 😊

Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · Aug 13

Friend asked 10YO what type of books she likes best: "Mainly murder books. And books with a map in the front."

She's currently reading 'A Boxful of Murders' by Janice Hallett, which I'm definitely going to be reading after her!

www.penguin.co.uk/books/455649...

#kidlituk #mysterybooks

A Box Full of Murders

The first children's murder mystery from number-one-bestselling author of The Appeal, Janice Hallett, perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and Rhian Tracey. When Ava and Luke discover a mysterious box o...

www.penguin.co.uk

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · Aug 12

"Here's an incredibly wordy brief containing eleventy billion links to Teams folders I have not given you access to. I'm now out of office for a fortnight and I need all work completed for the day of my return."

Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · Aug 10

Children are staying with grandparents, so it's remote bedtime story over video calling this week. Which means Grandma and Grandad are also getting to hear the new Grimwood and ALL the silly voices. 7YO is bringing them up to speed: "And then there's Sharon ..." 😆 #kidlituk #bedtimestory #awooga

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · Jul 31

SQUEEEE! New Grimwood is out! We're very excited - AWOOOOGA!! #grimwood #tedandnancy @nadiashireen.bsky.social

Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · Jul 24

Last day of infants for 7YO - he's been so discombobulated the last couple of weeks and is definitely ready for some downtime. Funny how in times of transition, he reaches for comfort books. Lots of Wombles and Winnie the Pooh recently #kidlituk #comfortreads

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · Jul 23

If they could edit out any instance of Gregg describing a food as 'slippery', that would be very much appreciated by me. Been giving me the ick since long before he was outed as a wrong'un.

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · Jul 13

A train trip, a picnic and a 1.9 mile walk around a nature reserve with my Rainbows group today - not a single mention of tired legs! Ice lollies at the end a good incentive to keep moving #girlguidinguk #rainbows #gguk

Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · Jul 9

7YO begged me for book four in Johnny Duddle's 'The Jolley-Rogers' series when he spotted it in WH Smiths yesterday. Had to um and ahh about it, you know, finances being what they are, but I didn't take much convincing! 😆

toppsta.com/books/series...

All the Jolley-Rogers Series Books in Order | Toppsta

Read reviews of all the Jolley-Rogers Series books and how to read Jolley-Rogers Series in order. Book 1 in the series is The Jolley-Rogers and the Pirate Piper.

toppsta.com

Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · Jul 2

Devoured 'A Beginner's Guide to Breaking and Entering' by @andrewhunterm.bsky.social in a single sitting - loved it! Next on the TBR pile is a book I found in our community book swap by Marina Hyde - 'What Just Happened?!' Another one I'll be reading with the author's voice in my head 😀

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · Jun 29

Finally finished 'Americanah', by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Amazing. I'd happily read a book by Adichie twice the length. Now for something completely different - 'A Beginners Guide to Breaking and Entering' by Andrew Hunter Murray. And I'm totally hearing his voice as I read!

Reposted by Claire Smith

The Bee @beelitmag.bsky.social · Jun 22

The emphasis here on social connections is predictable but great to see it being highlighted.

When we talk to people about class – particularly young people - nepotism is always one of the biggest issues. Often THE biggest.

www.93percent.club/thebigstates...

The Big State School Survey — The 93% Club

The results are in. Here’s what state schoolers across the country really think.

www.93percent.club

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · Jun 21

Currently working with a school on their Clean Air campaign to reduce air pollution around school. Before I write a story, are there any books out there (KS1/KS2) that cover this topic in a not terrifying, not judging way? #kidlituk #cleanairday2025

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · Jun 19

I've just finished our space theme at Rainbows with a story about Dr Who, and now they can all do the vworps. #gguk #doctorwho #Rainbows #kidlituk

tardis.fandom.com/wiki/The_Run...

The Runaway TARDIS (novel)

The Runaway TARDIS was a novel released in 2020 by Quirk Books, as part of their Pop Classics range. It featured the Thirteenth Doctor with a new companion, Lizzie, a child who's run away from home. I...

tardis.fandom.com

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Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · Jun 17

Unfortunately, hire transport is now prohibitively expensive for schools (and parents). If it's any consolation, I can guarantee the teachers aren't enjoying the taking children on public transport experience either!

Claire Smith @phonicssquirrel.bsky.social · Jun 6

Friday treat! #waterstones #Nottingham #limitededition

Mug with 'Book Person' on it alongside a limited edition copy of 'Robin Hood: According to Spike Milligan'

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