Barbara Bleiman
@barbarableiman.bsky.social
Education consultant, writer of fiction & children's poetry; passionately committed to English as a subject, to education, and to the idea that learning is founded on dialogue. Poems on Dirigible Balloon & Northern Gravy.
The early results from the one question we ask Primary School teachers here are absolutely fascinating. Comparing KS2 and KS3 teachers' responses is going to be such a BRILLIANT addition to our report! Please share the link below with Primary colleagues!
Are you a KS2 teacher? We're adding an extra dimension to our survey of poetry at KS3 by asking some KS2 teachers to respond to one question. Please could you take 2 mins to click this link & answer the question? Huge thanks! www.surveymonkey.com/r/MapKS2Coll...
Mapping Poetry: A Question for Primary Colleagues
Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.
www.surveymonkey.com
January 29, 2026 at 7:02 PM
The early results from the one question we ask Primary School teachers here are absolutely fascinating. Comparing KS2 and KS3 teachers' responses is going to be such a BRILLIANT addition to our report! Please share the link below with Primary colleagues!
A wonderful obituary for the exceptional linguist, scholar, thinker and friend to teachers and educationalists, Deborah Cameron. If you know well, or don't know it, it is well worth reading.
January 29, 2026 at 7:12 AM
A wonderful obituary for the exceptional linguist, scholar, thinker and friend to teachers and educationalists, Deborah Cameron. If you know well, or don't know it, it is well worth reading.
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Thank you to all those primary teachers filling this in for us! If you are involved with KS2, we'd love to hear from you! Please share @ruthswailes.bsky.social @uklitassociation.bsky.social @teresacremin.bsky.social @writingrocks.bsky.social
Are you a KS2 teacher? We're adding an extra dimension to our survey of poetry at KS3 by asking some KS2 teachers to respond to one question. Please could you take 2 mins to click this link & answer the question? Huge thanks! www.surveymonkey.com/r/MapKS2Coll...
Mapping Poetry: A Question for Primary Colleagues
Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.
www.surveymonkey.com
January 28, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Thank you to all those primary teachers filling this in for us! If you are involved with KS2, we'd love to hear from you! Please share @ruthswailes.bsky.social @uklitassociation.bsky.social @teresacremin.bsky.social @writingrocks.bsky.social
Are you a KS2 teacher? We're adding an extra dimension to our survey of poetry at KS3 by asking some KS2 teachers to respond to one question. Please could you take 2 mins to click this link & answer the question? Huge thanks! www.surveymonkey.com/r/MapKS2Coll...
Mapping Poetry: A Question for Primary Colleagues
Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.
www.surveymonkey.com
January 28, 2026 at 9:24 AM
Are you a KS2 teacher? We're adding an extra dimension to our survey of poetry at KS3 by asking some KS2 teachers to respond to one question. Please could you take 2 mins to click this link & answer the question? Huge thanks! www.surveymonkey.com/r/MapKS2Coll...
Every year, on National Holocaust Day, I remember my family who disappeared in the Shoah & share a few photographs. Here are my great-grandmother, Sarah, my great-aunt, Karola, and Judith, her daughter. I think too of those who have died & are dying in wars & genocides today.
January 27, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Every year, on National Holocaust Day, I remember my family who disappeared in the Shoah & share a few photographs. Here are my great-grandmother, Sarah, my great-aunt, Karola, and Judith, her daughter. I think too of those who have died & are dying in wars & genocides today.
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
I don't think booklets enable responsive teaching and learning.
I never teach the same lesson twice in exactly the same way because all classes respond differently, which is one joy of (English) teaching. There are many other issues too, such as teacher agency.
I never teach the same lesson twice in exactly the same way because all classes respond differently, which is one joy of (English) teaching. There are many other issues too, such as teacher agency.
I tried booklets once.
I wanted to see what it was about and how it compared to other methods. I spent *hours* making one, images, examples, great text and questions. Fellow teachers loved it.
It failed so badly in the classroom.
The booklet took over.
It inhibited conversing and co-enacting ideas.
I wanted to see what it was about and how it compared to other methods. I spent *hours* making one, images, examples, great text and questions. Fellow teachers loved it.
It failed so badly in the classroom.
The booklet took over.
It inhibited conversing and co-enacting ideas.
January 25, 2026 at 8:38 AM
I don't think booklets enable responsive teaching and learning.
I never teach the same lesson twice in exactly the same way because all classes respond differently, which is one joy of (English) teaching. There are many other issues too, such as teacher agency.
I never teach the same lesson twice in exactly the same way because all classes respond differently, which is one joy of (English) teaching. There are many other issues too, such as teacher agency.
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
I tried booklets once.
I wanted to see what it was about and how it compared to other methods. I spent *hours* making one, images, examples, great text and questions. Fellow teachers loved it.
It failed so badly in the classroom.
The booklet took over.
It inhibited conversing and co-enacting ideas.
I wanted to see what it was about and how it compared to other methods. I spent *hours* making one, images, examples, great text and questions. Fellow teachers loved it.
It failed so badly in the classroom.
The booklet took over.
It inhibited conversing and co-enacting ideas.
January 25, 2026 at 7:49 AM
I tried booklets once.
I wanted to see what it was about and how it compared to other methods. I spent *hours* making one, images, examples, great text and questions. Fellow teachers loved it.
It failed so badly in the classroom.
The booklet took over.
It inhibited conversing and co-enacting ideas.
I wanted to see what it was about and how it compared to other methods. I spent *hours* making one, images, examples, great text and questions. Fellow teachers loved it.
It failed so badly in the classroom.
The booklet took over.
It inhibited conversing and co-enacting ideas.
Absolutely agree with all of this!
There are 3 ways we can improve provision at Key Stage 3.
First, stop treating KS3 as a warm-up for 'serious' work at KS4.
When we do that, we lower the intellectual bar, often without realising it.
/1
First, stop treating KS3 as a warm-up for 'serious' work at KS4.
When we do that, we lower the intellectual bar, often without realising it.
/1
January 24, 2026 at 7:42 AM
Absolutely agree with all of this!
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
Congratulations to the authors & illustrators on the shortlist for the 2026 Information Book Award, celebrating inspiring information books for young people. Schools, join the special Book Club for free resources and books! 🔻
@sla.org.uk @alcs.co.uk #booksky
booksforkeeps.co.uk/shortlist-an...
@sla.org.uk @alcs.co.uk #booksky
booksforkeeps.co.uk/shortlist-an...
January 23, 2026 at 8:14 AM
Congratulations to the authors & illustrators on the shortlist for the 2026 Information Book Award, celebrating inspiring information books for young people. Schools, join the special Book Club for free resources and books! 🔻
@sla.org.uk @alcs.co.uk #booksky
booksforkeeps.co.uk/shortlist-an...
@sla.org.uk @alcs.co.uk #booksky
booksforkeeps.co.uk/shortlist-an...
Collaboration V competition - a wonderful thing! ´Wasn’t this what the local authorities did before academisation, MATs, and competitive accountability?’ says someone who remembers teachers’ centres, joint meetings, shared CPD! www.tes.com/magazine/lea...
The power of local collaboration to boost outcomes
Chair of The Education Exchange West Midlands explains how the collaboration was formed, how it works and, crucially, its impact so far
www.tes.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:39 AM
Collaboration V competition - a wonderful thing! ´Wasn’t this what the local authorities did before academisation, MATs, and competitive accountability?’ says someone who remembers teachers’ centres, joint meetings, shared CPD! www.tes.com/magazine/lea...
Great piece by @joshuaseigal.bsky.social for @cpsummit.bsky.social blog, on two poetry collections I also really like. Kathryn Bevis' collection was recommended to me by Moniza Alvi, saying she thought I'd like it. And I really do. Josh's comments are so true!
January 22, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Great piece by @joshuaseigal.bsky.social for @cpsummit.bsky.social blog, on two poetry collections I also really like. Kathryn Bevis' collection was recommended to me by Moniza Alvi, saying she thought I'd like it. And I really do. Josh's comments are so true!
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
Ahead of the revision period, our beautifully designed, prize-winning Full Text Study Editions are available at significant discounts for bulk purchases:
- 1-9: £20
- 10-99: £10
- 100-199: £7.50
- 200+: £5 (part of EMC's Mixed Basket 200 Offer)
buff.ly/WBa7rq5
- 1-9: £20
- 10-99: £10
- 100-199: £7.50
- 200+: £5 (part of EMC's Mixed Basket 200 Offer)
buff.ly/WBa7rq5
January 22, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Ahead of the revision period, our beautifully designed, prize-winning Full Text Study Editions are available at significant discounts for bulk purchases:
- 1-9: £20
- 10-99: £10
- 100-199: £7.50
- 200+: £5 (part of EMC's Mixed Basket 200 Offer)
buff.ly/WBa7rq5
- 1-9: £20
- 10-99: £10
- 100-199: £7.50
- 200+: £5 (part of EMC's Mixed Basket 200 Offer)
buff.ly/WBa7rq5
The survey is closing on Fri 30th Jan, so get your response in before that of you’re a secondary English teacher and want your views to be counted!
PHENOMENAL response to this from English teachers so far! We'd love to have even more, so keep those responses coming. We'll be able to offer a really good picture of what's happening & what English teachers feel about the teaching of poetry in secondary schools.
English teacher? 5 mins to spare? Your view is essential!
How is poetry being taught in secondary schools today?
We’re mapping the national picture in England & will report on it.
5 minute survey: tinyurl.com/238cz6mu
Supported by Christ Church's Tower Poetry Development Grant
How is poetry being taught in secondary schools today?
We’re mapping the national picture in England & will report on it.
5 minute survey: tinyurl.com/238cz6mu
Supported by Christ Church's Tower Poetry Development Grant
January 22, 2026 at 5:15 PM
The survey is closing on Fri 30th Jan, so get your response in before that of you’re a secondary English teacher and want your views to be counted!
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
Very, very sad news. A brilliant writer and thinker and generally the most interesting person in the room.
Desperately sad news about Deborah Cameron today. She was such a brilliant, incisive presence in the world of linguistics and particularly language and gender. Don't know what else to say but I'm sure there will be many tributes paid to her and her work in the days to come.
January 21, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Very, very sad news. A brilliant writer and thinker and generally the most interesting person in the room.
Such sad news. She has been a guiding light in linguistics for so long, a huge friend to EMC - a valued patron - and really loved meeting and talking to her at our events, hearing her speak, reading her wonderful blog & learning from her. She will be hugely missed.
Desperately sad news about Deborah Cameron today. She was such a brilliant, incisive presence in the world of linguistics and particularly language and gender. Don't know what else to say but I'm sure there will be many tributes paid to her and her work in the days to come.
January 21, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Such sad news. She has been a guiding light in linguistics for so long, a huge friend to EMC - a valued patron - and really loved meeting and talking to her at our events, hearing her speak, reading her wonderful blog & learning from her. She will be hugely missed.
PHENOMENAL response to this from English teachers so far! We'd love to have even more, so keep those responses coming. We'll be able to offer a really good picture of what's happening & what English teachers feel about the teaching of poetry in secondary schools.
English teacher? 5 mins to spare? Your view is essential!
How is poetry being taught in secondary schools today?
We’re mapping the national picture in England & will report on it.
5 minute survey: tinyurl.com/238cz6mu
Supported by Christ Church's Tower Poetry Development Grant
How is poetry being taught in secondary schools today?
We’re mapping the national picture in England & will report on it.
5 minute survey: tinyurl.com/238cz6mu
Supported by Christ Church's Tower Poetry Development Grant
Mapping Poetry: A Survey of Secondary School Practices in England
EMC Survey into Poetry Teaching in English Secondary Schools (2026)
tinyurl.com
January 20, 2026 at 7:20 PM
PHENOMENAL response to this from English teachers so far! We'd love to have even more, so keep those responses coming. We'll be able to offer a really good picture of what's happening & what English teachers feel about the teaching of poetry in secondary schools.
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
Today, @poetrybyheart.bsky.social launches a new timeline of poems for children in KS1. Each poem is accompanied by specially written notes for teachers to help them & their young pupils explore the poem and work up lively ways to perform it out loud. #poetry
booksforkeeps.co.uk/poetry-by-he...
booksforkeeps.co.uk/poetry-by-he...
January 20, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Today, @poetrybyheart.bsky.social launches a new timeline of poems for children in KS1. Each poem is accompanied by specially written notes for teachers to help them & their young pupils explore the poem and work up lively ways to perform it out loud. #poetry
booksforkeeps.co.uk/poetry-by-he...
booksforkeeps.co.uk/poetry-by-he...
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
Lots of fun working with 20 extremely talented English teachers on GCSE Writing - Inspiring Strategies today. Here are a few smiley faces from the end of the session!
Look out for the course running at the end of term. Lots of other courses still to run before Easter englishandmedia.co.uk/courses/
Look out for the course running at the end of term. Lots of other courses still to run before Easter englishandmedia.co.uk/courses/
January 20, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Lots of fun working with 20 extremely talented English teachers on GCSE Writing - Inspiring Strategies today. Here are a few smiley faces from the end of the session!
Look out for the course running at the end of term. Lots of other courses still to run before Easter englishandmedia.co.uk/courses/
Look out for the course running at the end of term. Lots of other courses still to run before Easter englishandmedia.co.uk/courses/
Great piece! Please listen, DfE!
English lessons can fire imaginations and open minds, but the DfE should consider five points when implementing recommendations of the curriculum review, writes Summer Turner
schoolsweek.co.uk/teachers-can...
schoolsweek.co.uk/teachers-can...
How teachers can make English sing
Despite some concerns about the curriculum review, there is room for hopeful interpretation
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 19, 2026 at 1:12 PM
Great piece! Please listen, DfE!
This, by Prof Jonathan Bate, is both fascinating & very disturbing. I loved the book but am now forced to question whether the inaccuracies in the whole premise of the story of Shakespeare & his son matter or not. Great book perhaps but not really about Shakespeare! www.thetimes.com/culture/film...
How accurate is Hamnet? The Shakespeare scholar’s verdict
The award-winning film starring Jessie Buckley has left many viewers in tears, but this expert was upset for other reasons
www.thetimes.com
January 18, 2026 at 12:55 PM
This, by Prof Jonathan Bate, is both fascinating & very disturbing. I loved the book but am now forced to question whether the inaccuracies in the whole premise of the story of Shakespeare & his son matter or not. Great book perhaps but not really about Shakespeare! www.thetimes.com/culture/film...
I'm really looking forward to the @tseliotprize.bsky.social readings tonight at the South Bank, and to the Awards Ceremony tomorrow evening. Such a wonderful celebration of contemporary poetry and chance to hear the work of a range of brilliant poets, some very well known to me, others less so.
January 18, 2026 at 11:32 AM
I'm really looking forward to the @tseliotprize.bsky.social readings tonight at the South Bank, and to the Awards Ceremony tomorrow evening. Such a wonderful celebration of contemporary poetry and chance to hear the work of a range of brilliant poets, some very well known to me, others less so.
This series has been absolutely superb. I honestly can't speak highly enough of it - and, as people who know me know, I have pretty high expectations! I've loved the poems shared, the reflections from Clare & Kim about the poems, their wisdom about poetry & brilliant prompts. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Since January Writing Hours began on the 1st, hundreds of people have met online every day to read and write poetry together, inspired by the magic of words and community.
New people join us every day. Weekly tickets £25, Pay-what-you options available.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/january-wr...
New people join us every day. Weekly tickets £25, Pay-what-you options available.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/january-wr...
January 18, 2026 at 11:27 AM
This series has been absolutely superb. I honestly can't speak highly enough of it - and, as people who know me know, I have pretty high expectations! I've loved the poems shared, the reflections from Clare & Kim about the poems, their wisdom about poetry & brilliant prompts. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
This is going really well so far - beyond my expectations for replies, just a few days since it launched! Lots of wonderful English teachers are responding. We want more, so keep those responses coming!
English teacher? 5 mins to spare? Your view is essential!
How is poetry being taught in secondary schools today?
We’re mapping the national picture in England & will report on it.
5 minute survey: tinyurl.com/238cz6mu
Supported by Christ Church's Tower Poetry Development Grant
How is poetry being taught in secondary schools today?
We’re mapping the national picture in England & will report on it.
5 minute survey: tinyurl.com/238cz6mu
Supported by Christ Church's Tower Poetry Development Grant
Mapping Poetry: A Survey of Secondary School Practices in England
EMC Survey into Poetry Teaching in English Secondary Schools (2026)
tinyurl.com
January 18, 2026 at 8:27 AM
This is going really well so far - beyond my expectations for replies, just a few days since it launched! Lots of wonderful English teachers are responding. We want more, so keep those responses coming!
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
🤣 They talk about 'red' words which don't follow the phonetic patterns taught - long lists of words which are seen as 'irregular'. But so many words are 'red' ones if you have a fixed notion that the basic pattern of English is phonically 'regular' rather than also determined by history & meaning.
October 18, 2025 at 8:31 AM
🤣 They talk about 'red' words which don't follow the phonetic patterns taught - long lists of words which are seen as 'irregular'. But so many words are 'red' ones if you have a fixed notion that the basic pattern of English is phonically 'regular' rather than also determined by history & meaning.