DamsonEd
@damsoned.bsky.social
Dr Megan Dixon: teacher, leader and researcher. PhD, Psychology. All things education and research - literacy, English, research into practice, curriculum, SEND. TES writer. Based in the UK.
https://meganjanedixon.co.uk/2026/01/02/pivoting/
https://meganjanedixon.co.uk/2026/01/02/pivoting/
Pinned
DamsonEd
@damsoned.bsky.social
· May 8
What schools are doing to tackle the speech and language ‘crisis’
The number of children with speech and language challenges is soaring. And not all of these pupils have SEND. Experts tell Ellen Peirson-Hagger how in-school intervention is possible - and highly effe...
www.tes.com
On the back of this article- a thread of useful places for schools/teachers who are interested in finding out more… as I say, this has been a serious issue for a long time… it would be powerful to get a serious handle on it (with obvious impact on ed outcomes).
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
Exclusive: The workload for heads and Sendcos caused by Ofsted’s new inspections is an emerging concern, schools' conference told
Fears over head and Sendco workload in new Ofsted inspections
Some senior leaders who have experienced the new report-card inspections have described them as ‘brutal’, ASCL tells schools’ conference
www.tes.com
February 2, 2026 at 7:08 PM
Reposted by DamsonEd
Exclusive: The workload for heads and Sendcos caused by Ofsted’s new inspections is an emerging concern, schools' conference told
Fears over head and Sendco workload in new Ofsted inspections
Some senior leaders who have experienced the new report-card inspections have described them as ‘brutal’, ASCL tells schools’ conference
www.tes.com
February 2, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Exclusive: The workload for heads and Sendcos caused by Ofsted’s new inspections is an emerging concern, schools' conference told
Reposted by DamsonEd
“The number one thing is that these [SEND] reforms need to be developed in partnership with children and young people, with their parents and carers, with experts in this field."
We really hope the Government listens @dcpcampaign.bsky.social! https://bit.ly/49SJigh
We really hope the Government listens @dcpcampaign.bsky.social! https://bit.ly/49SJigh
Disabled children’s legal rights are ‘red lines’ in Send overhaul, ministers warned
Exclusive: Charities and experts fear changes to special needs education may weaken legal protections
www.theguardian.com
February 2, 2026 at 2:40 PM
“The number one thing is that these [SEND] reforms need to be developed in partnership with children and young people, with their parents and carers, with experts in this field."
We really hope the Government listens @dcpcampaign.bsky.social! https://bit.ly/49SJigh
We really hope the Government listens @dcpcampaign.bsky.social! https://bit.ly/49SJigh
Reposted by DamsonEd
I hate Facebook for many reasons, one of the smallest being how it shuts non- account holders out of local info
My parents are cut off from so much info in their village because everyone puts events, news, council admin on Facebook.
Social media shouldn’t be public infrastructure
My parents are cut off from so much info in their village because everyone puts events, news, council admin on Facebook.
Social media shouldn’t be public infrastructure
February 2, 2026 at 2:37 PM
I hate Facebook for many reasons, one of the smallest being how it shuts non- account holders out of local info
My parents are cut off from so much info in their village because everyone puts events, news, council admin on Facebook.
Social media shouldn’t be public infrastructure
My parents are cut off from so much info in their village because everyone puts events, news, council admin on Facebook.
Social media shouldn’t be public infrastructure
Reposted by DamsonEd
Exclusive: Schools could be required to record internal exclusions under new guidance that will encourage headteachers to only send pupils home for the most serious cases of poor behaviour and violence
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-coul...
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-coul...
Schools could be required to record internal exclusions
Government looks to collect data as it urges schools to send fewer children home
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Exclusive: Schools could be required to record internal exclusions under new guidance that will encourage headteachers to only send pupils home for the most serious cases of poor behaviour and violence
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-coul...
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-coul...
More research is needed into the impact of AI tutoring for pupils, experts have warned after the government announced plans to trial it in England’s schools
schoolsweek.co.uk/dfes-ai-tuto...
schoolsweek.co.uk/dfes-ai-tuto...
More research needed for AI tutoring trial, experts say
Experts warn evidence on AI provision 'in its infancy'
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Reposted by DamsonEd
More research is needed into the impact of AI tutoring for pupils, experts have warned after the government announced plans to trial it in England’s schools
schoolsweek.co.uk/dfes-ai-tuto...
schoolsweek.co.uk/dfes-ai-tuto...
More research needed for AI tutoring trial, experts say
Experts warn evidence on AI provision 'in its infancy'
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 5:16 PM
More research is needed into the impact of AI tutoring for pupils, experts have warned after the government announced plans to trial it in England’s schools
schoolsweek.co.uk/dfes-ai-tuto...
schoolsweek.co.uk/dfes-ai-tuto...
Reposted by DamsonEd
And it shows some obvious ways in which TV shows can do harm - both to individuals, many of whom were hoping this would finally 'prove' they were smart, and to society, when the myths are upheld by this kind of lazy and thoughtless design.
February 2, 2026 at 4:42 PM
And it shows some obvious ways in which TV shows can do harm - both to individuals, many of whom were hoping this would finally 'prove' they were smart, and to society, when the myths are upheld by this kind of lazy and thoughtless design.
Reposted by DamsonEd
It reveals some persistent myths about the idea of a ‘genius’ – that some people work lightning fast, are better alone, or have ‘innate’ skills, for example.
February 2, 2026 at 4:41 PM
It reveals some persistent myths about the idea of a ‘genius’ – that some people work lightning fast, are better alone, or have ‘innate’ skills, for example.
Reposted by DamsonEd
I think you know the answer to that! 😄
February 2, 2026 at 11:57 AM
I think you know the answer to that! 😄
This is so true in education. There has been no change at all- the same faces, with the same views (using a slightly different terminology), carrying on as before.
This was a chance for fresh thinking and new innovation. A wasted opportunity.
bsky.app/profile/davi...
This was a chance for fresh thinking and new innovation. A wasted opportunity.
bsky.app/profile/davi...
The continuing Mandelson story is I think just another illustration of why this government's approval fell dramatically and remains rock bottom. The change that didn't come - freebies, scandals, old faces, and no sign of understanding why these matter.
February 2, 2026 at 2:02 PM
This is so true in education. There has been no change at all- the same faces, with the same views (using a slightly different terminology), carrying on as before.
This was a chance for fresh thinking and new innovation. A wasted opportunity.
bsky.app/profile/davi...
This was a chance for fresh thinking and new innovation. A wasted opportunity.
bsky.app/profile/davi...
Reposted by DamsonEd
The continuing Mandelson story is I think just another illustration of why this government's approval fell dramatically and remains rock bottom. The change that didn't come - freebies, scandals, old faces, and no sign of understanding why these matter.
February 2, 2026 at 12:04 PM
The continuing Mandelson story is I think just another illustration of why this government's approval fell dramatically and remains rock bottom. The change that didn't come - freebies, scandals, old faces, and no sign of understanding why these matter.
Reposted by DamsonEd
Bit different from the Ofsted language review which called for phonics, words and grammar. 🤷♀️🫣🤣
So much back-tracking.
bsky.app/profile/scho...
So much back-tracking.
bsky.app/profile/scho...
'As the language-teaching community debates the new KS2 core content, let’s go beyond a word list. Let’s ensure culture and contact are at the centre – so students experience the benefits of language learning from their very first lesson'
schoolsweek.co.uk/a-ni-hao-fro...
schoolsweek.co.uk/a-ni-hao-fro...
A ‘ni hao’ from visitors was the ultimate language lesson
Anything that adds context can ignite a child’s interest
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 10:29 AM
Bit different from the Ofsted language review which called for phonics, words and grammar. 🤷♀️🫣🤣
So much back-tracking.
bsky.app/profile/scho...
So much back-tracking.
bsky.app/profile/scho...
Reposted by DamsonEd
Without addressing the SLT difficulties, the challenges for the students are compounded. They will not magically disappear with a bit of debating and presenting from a PowerPoint.
Phonics/sentence dictation won’t sort it out, either.
It is also important to highlight the link with behaviour.
Phonics/sentence dictation won’t sort it out, either.
It is also important to highlight the link with behaviour.
February 2, 2026 at 9:33 AM
Without addressing the SLT difficulties, the challenges for the students are compounded. They will not magically disappear with a bit of debating and presenting from a PowerPoint.
Phonics/sentence dictation won’t sort it out, either.
It is also important to highlight the link with behaviour.
Phonics/sentence dictation won’t sort it out, either.
It is also important to highlight the link with behaviour.
Reposted by DamsonEd
We have normalised filming people be it ring camera footage, teachers in classrooms or the filming on streets. Public education needs to handle this and make it abhorrent.
February 2, 2026 at 11:01 AM
We have normalised filming people be it ring camera footage, teachers in classrooms or the filming on streets. Public education needs to handle this and make it abhorrent.
Reposted by DamsonEd
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I wish reporting on this would discuss the surveillance capitalism of “lives” on social media- where people have normalised walking around with selfie sticks and filming streets and bars etc. Tiktok promotes this kind of material and it has always been an issue.
I wish reporting on this would discuss the surveillance capitalism of “lives” on social media- where people have normalised walking around with selfie sticks and filming streets and bars etc. Tiktok promotes this kind of material and it has always been an issue.
Men covertly filming women at night and profiting from footage, BBC finds
The BBC went undercover to investigate an industry where women are filmed at night without their knowledge.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 11:01 AM
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I wish reporting on this would discuss the surveillance capitalism of “lives” on social media- where people have normalised walking around with selfie sticks and filming streets and bars etc. Tiktok promotes this kind of material and it has always been an issue.
I wish reporting on this would discuss the surveillance capitalism of “lives” on social media- where people have normalised walking around with selfie sticks and filming streets and bars etc. Tiktok promotes this kind of material and it has always been an issue.
Reposted by DamsonEd
And so many who work in EY already know the issues and with a bit of encouragement and permission could come up with many of the solutions.
February 2, 2026 at 10:41 AM
And so many who work in EY already know the issues and with a bit of encouragement and permission could come up with many of the solutions.
Reposted by DamsonEd
🤓 CEPEO course alert
The @cepeo-ucl.bsky.social team of data experts is running two more admin training courses in March and April!
First, we have an online course to learn more about the Longitudinal Educational Outcomes (LEO) dataset
23 March at 9:30am GMT
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cepeo-adru...
The @cepeo-ucl.bsky.social team of data experts is running two more admin training courses in March and April!
First, we have an online course to learn more about the Longitudinal Educational Outcomes (LEO) dataset
23 March at 9:30am GMT
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cepeo-adru...
CEPEO ADRUK Introduction to Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) data
Join us for this online intro to the datasets comprising LEO, including university applications and the businesses in which individuals work
www.eventbrite.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 10:10 AM
🤓 CEPEO course alert
The @cepeo-ucl.bsky.social team of data experts is running two more admin training courses in March and April!
First, we have an online course to learn more about the Longitudinal Educational Outcomes (LEO) dataset
23 March at 9:30am GMT
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cepeo-adru...
The @cepeo-ucl.bsky.social team of data experts is running two more admin training courses in March and April!
First, we have an online course to learn more about the Longitudinal Educational Outcomes (LEO) dataset
23 March at 9:30am GMT
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cepeo-adru...
Bit different from the Ofsted language review which called for phonics, words and grammar. 🤷♀️🫣🤣
So much back-tracking.
bsky.app/profile/scho...
So much back-tracking.
bsky.app/profile/scho...
'As the language-teaching community debates the new KS2 core content, let’s go beyond a word list. Let’s ensure culture and contact are at the centre – so students experience the benefits of language learning from their very first lesson'
schoolsweek.co.uk/a-ni-hao-fro...
schoolsweek.co.uk/a-ni-hao-fro...
A ‘ni hao’ from visitors was the ultimate language lesson
Anything that adds context can ignite a child’s interest
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 10:29 AM
Bit different from the Ofsted language review which called for phonics, words and grammar. 🤷♀️🫣🤣
So much back-tracking.
bsky.app/profile/scho...
So much back-tracking.
bsky.app/profile/scho...
Reposted by DamsonEd
'As the language-teaching community debates the new KS2 core content, let’s go beyond a word list. Let’s ensure culture and contact are at the centre – so students experience the benefits of language learning from their very first lesson'
schoolsweek.co.uk/a-ni-hao-fro...
schoolsweek.co.uk/a-ni-hao-fro...
A ‘ni hao’ from visitors was the ultimate language lesson
Anything that adds context can ignite a child’s interest
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 10:20 AM
'As the language-teaching community debates the new KS2 core content, let’s go beyond a word list. Let’s ensure culture and contact are at the centre – so students experience the benefits of language learning from their very first lesson'
schoolsweek.co.uk/a-ni-hao-fro...
schoolsweek.co.uk/a-ni-hao-fro...
Reposted by DamsonEd
£600k on eight free parking spaces, six reserved for Reform politicians, whilst removing free parking for junior Council staff.
Total snouts in troughs from Reform. www.lbc.co.uk/article/refo...
Total snouts in troughs from Reform. www.lbc.co.uk/article/refo...
Reform council spends £600k on eight free parking spaces for senior councillors | LBC
The majority of staff, who will not be able to use the free parking facilities available to their senior colleagues, will still be expected to pay to park every day
www.lbc.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 10:23 AM
£600k on eight free parking spaces, six reserved for Reform politicians, whilst removing free parking for junior Council staff.
Total snouts in troughs from Reform. www.lbc.co.uk/article/refo...
Total snouts in troughs from Reform. www.lbc.co.uk/article/refo...
Oooops. 🤷♀️
This is what happens when school improvement processes are run by secondary school colleagues with limited experience and/or interest in the education sector as a whole.
schoolsweek.co.uk/schoolboy-er...
This is what happens when school improvement processes are run by secondary school colleagues with limited experience and/or interest in the education sector as a whole.
schoolsweek.co.uk/schoolboy-er...
‘Schoolboy error’ as smaller schools escape RISE crackdown
The DfE has not contacted some primaries potentially needing support because data goes unpublished
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 10:08 AM
Oooops. 🤷♀️
This is what happens when school improvement processes are run by secondary school colleagues with limited experience and/or interest in the education sector as a whole.
schoolsweek.co.uk/schoolboy-er...
This is what happens when school improvement processes are run by secondary school colleagues with limited experience and/or interest in the education sector as a whole.
schoolsweek.co.uk/schoolboy-er...
Reposted by DamsonEd
❗️Exclusive: More than a thousand schools with poor outcomes slipped through the net of the government’s RISE low-attainment crackdown, exposing a 'significant gap' in its latest bid to boost results
Full story 🔽
Full story 🔽
‘Schoolboy error’ as smaller schools escape RISE crackdown
The DfE has not contacted some primaries potentially needing support because data goes unpublished
schoolsweek.co.uk
January 30, 2026 at 5:11 PM
❗️Exclusive: More than a thousand schools with poor outcomes slipped through the net of the government’s RISE low-attainment crackdown, exposing a 'significant gap' in its latest bid to boost results
Full story 🔽
Full story 🔽
Reposted by DamsonEd
ICYMI: Ofsted refutes claims its report cards are written using AI amid concerns over 'generic' wording, first report cards for non-voluntary school inspections give an early look at grading, and a special school has been recommended for special measures
Alarm over ‘generic’ wording in 12 Ofsted report cards
An investigation revealed the same paragraph was used in report cards for 12 different schools
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 1, 2026 at 12:00 PM
ICYMI: Ofsted refutes claims its report cards are written using AI amid concerns over 'generic' wording, first report cards for non-voluntary school inspections give an early look at grading, and a special school has been recommended for special measures