Ben Newmark
@bennewmark.bsky.social
Teacher, parent, school governor. Occasional blogger.
"A million different people from one day to the next, I can change."
https://bennewmark.wordpress.com/
"A million different people from one day to the next, I can change."
https://bennewmark.wordpress.com/
Reposted by Ben Newmark
10. Charts like this can be *incredibly* misleading and unhelpful. To non teachers "persistent disruptive behaviour" often means things like tapping a pen a couple of times. The truth is really wide but an accurate summary is probably "refusing to do what any adult asks them to do."
January 29, 2026 at 4:22 PM
10. Charts like this can be *incredibly* misleading and unhelpful. To non teachers "persistent disruptive behaviour" often means things like tapping a pen a couple of times. The truth is really wide but an accurate summary is probably "refusing to do what any adult asks them to do."
Reposted by Ben Newmark
14. Argh one more - we should also be mindful that if schools become more disrupted, less calm, more uncertain they will be environments which more and more children and adults find unpleasant - we could get into a cycle of worse attendance and behaviour as a result.
January 29, 2026 at 4:36 PM
14. Argh one more - we should also be mindful that if schools become more disrupted, less calm, more uncertain they will be environments which more and more children and adults find unpleasant - we could get into a cycle of worse attendance and behaviour as a result.
Reposted by Ben Newmark
This is a great thread...only thing I would add is that there is a removal of parental responsibility in some parts of proposal. If young people are gaming or online during suspension it is, surely, parents role to stop this. Likewise, support learning during off site exclusion. Or am I being crazy?
January 29, 2026 at 7:06 PM
This is a great thread...only thing I would add is that there is a removal of parental responsibility in some parts of proposal. If young people are gaming or online during suspension it is, surely, parents role to stop this. Likewise, support learning during off site exclusion. Or am I being crazy?
Reposted by Ben Newmark
This thread is better thought through than my rant at work this morning. Agree with every word 👇
January 29, 2026 at 6:28 PM
This thread is better thought through than my rant at work this morning. Agree with every word 👇
Reposted by Ben Newmark
Ben articulates this far better than I ever could
January 29, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Ben articulates this far better than I ever could
Reposted by Ben Newmark
Some really important points to consider here. A must read thread. 👏
You don't improve behaviour by reducing suspensions. You reduce suspensions by improving behaviour.
One of these things is really easy to do. The other requires far more widely reaching change.
You don't improve behaviour by reducing suspensions. You reduce suspensions by improving behaviour.
One of these things is really easy to do. The other requires far more widely reaching change.
January 29, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Some really important points to consider here. A must read thread. 👏
You don't improve behaviour by reducing suspensions. You reduce suspensions by improving behaviour.
One of these things is really easy to do. The other requires far more widely reaching change.
You don't improve behaviour by reducing suspensions. You reduce suspensions by improving behaviour.
One of these things is really easy to do. The other requires far more widely reaching change.
Reposted by Ben Newmark
7. This is important. @teachertapp.bsky.social and other research shows a general consensus behaviour is worse than pre-pandemic.
Suspensions are going up because behaviour is getting worse. Very significant that biggest rise is in primary.
Limiting suspensions means tolerating worse behaviour.
Suspensions are going up because behaviour is getting worse. Very significant that biggest rise is in primary.
Limiting suspensions means tolerating worse behaviour.
January 29, 2026 at 4:13 PM
7. This is important. @teachertapp.bsky.social and other research shows a general consensus behaviour is worse than pre-pandemic.
Suspensions are going up because behaviour is getting worse. Very significant that biggest rise is in primary.
Limiting suspensions means tolerating worse behaviour.
Suspensions are going up because behaviour is getting worse. Very significant that biggest rise is in primary.
Limiting suspensions means tolerating worse behaviour.
Reposted by Ben Newmark
Great thread
January 29, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Great thread
Reposted by Ben Newmark
So many questions!
Who is staffing it?
Who is quality assuring that provision?
Who is paying for it?
Where will it physically take place in our cramped and crumbling schools?
No sch takes the decision lightly. Always a last resort.
Being asked to do more with less.
Again
Who is staffing it?
Who is quality assuring that provision?
Who is paying for it?
Where will it physically take place in our cramped and crumbling schools?
No sch takes the decision lightly. Always a last resort.
Being asked to do more with less.
Again
January 29, 2026 at 4:06 PM
So many questions!
Who is staffing it?
Who is quality assuring that provision?
Who is paying for it?
Where will it physically take place in our cramped and crumbling schools?
No sch takes the decision lightly. Always a last resort.
Being asked to do more with less.
Again
Who is staffing it?
Who is quality assuring that provision?
Who is paying for it?
Where will it physically take place in our cramped and crumbling schools?
No sch takes the decision lightly. Always a last resort.
Being asked to do more with less.
Again
Reposted by Ben Newmark
Our first ever printed book, A Year in Willerby, close to selling out. 9 left of the original run of 100.
Sent straight from the village with a handwritten letter. No AI. No Amazon.
Order now to be sure of getting one. Next lot go out on Saturday.
We ship abroard.
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4...
Sent straight from the village with a handwritten letter. No AI. No Amazon.
Order now to be sure of getting one. Next lot go out on Saturday.
We ship abroard.
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4...
January 28, 2026 at 8:26 PM
Our first ever printed book, A Year in Willerby, close to selling out. 9 left of the original run of 100.
Sent straight from the village with a handwritten letter. No AI. No Amazon.
Order now to be sure of getting one. Next lot go out on Saturday.
We ship abroard.
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4...
Sent straight from the village with a handwritten letter. No AI. No Amazon.
Order now to be sure of getting one. Next lot go out on Saturday.
We ship abroard.
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4...
Bluesky please settle a dispute between me and a 9yo. Princesses have to do what kings tell them right?
January 28, 2026 at 7:46 PM
Bluesky please settle a dispute between me and a 9yo. Princesses have to do what kings tell them right?
Reposted by Ben Newmark
Teaching a bit of a lesson today from the question "What did William pray for after Hastings?'
Pretty chuffed with this.
Pretty chuffed with this.
January 27, 2026 at 9:10 AM
Teaching a bit of a lesson today from the question "What did William pray for after Hastings?'
Pretty chuffed with this.
Pretty chuffed with this.
Teaching a bit of a lesson today from the question "What did William pray for after Hastings?'
Pretty chuffed with this.
Pretty chuffed with this.
January 27, 2026 at 9:10 AM
Teaching a bit of a lesson today from the question "What did William pray for after Hastings?'
Pretty chuffed with this.
Pretty chuffed with this.
The bit between Christmas and when it gets light in the morning again is too long. It should be about three weeks.
January 27, 2026 at 6:28 AM
The bit between Christmas and when it gets light in the morning again is too long. It should be about three weeks.
Saw 28 Years Later Bone Temple last night. It's an odd masterpiece. Along with the first I don't think I can remember a stranger film. Heartening stuff like this is still being made.
And Ralph Fiennes should get an Oscar just for *that dance* alone.
And Ralph Fiennes should get an Oscar just for *that dance* alone.
January 25, 2026 at 1:19 PM
Saw 28 Years Later Bone Temple last night. It's an odd masterpiece. Along with the first I don't think I can remember a stranger film. Heartening stuff like this is still being made.
And Ralph Fiennes should get an Oscar just for *that dance* alone.
And Ralph Fiennes should get an Oscar just for *that dance* alone.
Does AI mean schools should now abandon letters of application?
January 25, 2026 at 11:03 AM
Does AI mean schools should now abandon letters of application?
Flower of Scotland is the best national anthem by far. Absolute banger.
Worth checking out its history too. Not as old as you might think it is..
Worth checking out its history too. Not as old as you might think it is..
January 25, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Flower of Scotland is the best national anthem by far. Absolute banger.
Worth checking out its history too. Not as old as you might think it is..
Worth checking out its history too. Not as old as you might think it is..
Reposted by Ben Newmark
I mean it’s ceremonially in Feb isn’t it? Like embassies?
January 25, 2026 at 10:20 AM
I mean it’s ceremonially in Feb isn’t it? Like embassies?
If you're doing dry January you get burns night as a pass out right?
January 25, 2026 at 10:16 AM
If you're doing dry January you get burns night as a pass out right?
Played pickleball this week for the first time.
This is a sport dreamed up at a 3am student party when someone said "wouldn't it be cool if we could shrink ourselves down and then play tennis on a ping pong table?"
This is a sport dreamed up at a 3am student party when someone said "wouldn't it be cool if we could shrink ourselves down and then play tennis on a ping pong table?"
January 25, 2026 at 8:43 AM
Played pickleball this week for the first time.
This is a sport dreamed up at a 3am student party when someone said "wouldn't it be cool if we could shrink ourselves down and then play tennis on a ping pong table?"
This is a sport dreamed up at a 3am student party when someone said "wouldn't it be cool if we could shrink ourselves down and then play tennis on a ping pong table?"
Reposted by Ben Newmark
A Year in Willerby.
Stories from a haunted village.
20 of 100 copies left of the first edition.
Bound with original lino prints.
Sent straight from the village with a handwritten letter.
Orders going today. Order in the next couple of hours to get one sent to you.
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4...
Stories from a haunted village.
20 of 100 copies left of the first edition.
Bound with original lino prints.
Sent straight from the village with a handwritten letter.
Orders going today. Order in the next couple of hours to get one sent to you.
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4...
January 24, 2026 at 6:39 AM
A Year in Willerby.
Stories from a haunted village.
20 of 100 copies left of the first edition.
Bound with original lino prints.
Sent straight from the village with a handwritten letter.
Orders going today. Order in the next couple of hours to get one sent to you.
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4...
Stories from a haunted village.
20 of 100 copies left of the first edition.
Bound with original lino prints.
Sent straight from the village with a handwritten letter.
Orders going today. Order in the next couple of hours to get one sent to you.
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4...
Reposted by Ben Newmark
Can I have a 6th?
I Feel For You - Chaka Khan
I Feel For You - Chaka Khan
January 23, 2026 at 8:12 PM
Can I have a 6th?
I Feel For You - Chaka Khan
I Feel For You - Chaka Khan
Reposted by Ben Newmark
Yes to stories. My enhanced provision class of year 7s have VERY big opinions and ideas about Matilda, Stephen, Henry II and Eleanor. Can't read about it or write about it, but we can 'story' it in a big way.
January 23, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Yes to stories. My enhanced provision class of year 7s have VERY big opinions and ideas about Matilda, Stephen, Henry II and Eleanor. Can't read about it or write about it, but we can 'story' it in a big way.
Reposted by Ben Newmark
