Helen D
@dhmd.bsky.social
Retired Primary Headteacher, time limited researcher, canal explorer and Francophile.
Reposted by Helen D
This is awful and the scariest part is that there are some people in this country who think it’s a good thing.
At Minneapolis airport, @maitlis.bsky.social watches on as shackled ICE deportees board an aircraft.
"It's one of the most dystopian, the most chilling things, I think i've ever witnessed."
"The plane doesn’t have a name or number, it’s a 'dark plane' - it doesn’t officially exist."
"It's one of the most dystopian, the most chilling things, I think i've ever witnessed."
"The plane doesn’t have a name or number, it’s a 'dark plane' - it doesn’t officially exist."
January 20, 2026 at 1:42 PM
This is awful and the scariest part is that there are some people in this country who think it’s a good thing.
Reposted by Helen D
🚨The Petition calling for by-elections to be called automatically when MPs defect to another party now has 43,000 signatures! Let’s get the 100,000 needed!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
January 20, 2026 at 1:50 PM
🚨The Petition calling for by-elections to be called automatically when MPs defect to another party now has 43,000 signatures! Let’s get the 100,000 needed!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
Reposted by Helen D
Can all the behaviour gurus out there do me a favour? Specify which sector of education you’re talking about. Because what’s called disruptive behaviours in high school is developmentally normal behaviour in lower primary. Pupils don’t magically stop doing them, primary teachers show them how.
a group of peanuts characters sit at their desks
ALT: a group of peanuts characters sit at their desks
media.tenor.com
January 2, 2026 at 4:38 PM
Can all the behaviour gurus out there do me a favour? Specify which sector of education you’re talking about. Because what’s called disruptive behaviours in high school is developmentally normal behaviour in lower primary. Pupils don’t magically stop doing them, primary teachers show them how.
Reposted by Helen D
I am writing. Part 1. The tragedy of hidden schools, in hidden communities
meganjanedixon.co.uk/2026/01/03/p...
meganjanedixon.co.uk/2026/01/03/p...
Part 1.
My writing, I have decided, will include reflections, thoughts and ideas about education. But, I cannot ignore the situation I am in (see previous writing) and so, I will also be adding bits and pi…
meganjanedixon.co.uk
January 3, 2026 at 3:23 PM
I am writing. Part 1. The tragedy of hidden schools, in hidden communities
meganjanedixon.co.uk/2026/01/03/p...
meganjanedixon.co.uk/2026/01/03/p...
Reposted by Helen D
I am writing - here is my first blog of 2026. This year will be the year where I write all those things I promised myself I would write, when I had the time.
Now I have the time.
meganjanedixon.co.uk/2026/01/02/p...
Now I have the time.
meganjanedixon.co.uk/2026/01/02/p...
Pivoting
In November 2024, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. A nasty, sneaky, fast growing type of breast cancer: stage 3, grade 3, locally invasive triple negative breast cancer for those who know about …
meganjanedixon.co.uk
January 2, 2026 at 2:12 PM
I am writing - here is my first blog of 2026. This year will be the year where I write all those things I promised myself I would write, when I had the time.
Now I have the time.
meganjanedixon.co.uk/2026/01/02/p...
Now I have the time.
meganjanedixon.co.uk/2026/01/02/p...
Reposted by Helen D
Good thread.
It’s really hard to move the conversation forward if we don’t have agreement on the language used… bsky.app/profile/rlro...
It’s really hard to move the conversation forward if we don’t have agreement on the language used… bsky.app/profile/rlro...
I’m really surprised by this headline from The Sutton Trust. Children don’t get diagnosed with SEND. SEND is about provision. Children get diagnosed with ASD/ADHD/dyslexia/DLD etc which MAY lead to them having SEND.
🚨 Wide gaps in waiting times for a SEND diagnosis by socio-economic background 🚨
Middle-class parents have shorter waiting times for formal SEND diagnoses than working-class parents, we have found.
Read our report on the SEND system 👇
www.suttontrust.com/our-research...
Middle-class parents have shorter waiting times for formal SEND diagnoses than working-class parents, we have found.
Read our report on the SEND system 👇
www.suttontrust.com/our-research...
December 31, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Good thread.
It’s really hard to move the conversation forward if we don’t have agreement on the language used… bsky.app/profile/rlro...
It’s really hard to move the conversation forward if we don’t have agreement on the language used… bsky.app/profile/rlro...
Reposted by Helen D
Excellent blog.
My main take on Twitter was always: ‘If this was a pub, would I visit?’
I can put up with disagreement, rowdy evenings, occasional fights. But hard life rule: I don’t frequent hooligan pubs.
My main take on Twitter was always: ‘If this was a pub, would I visit?’
I can put up with disagreement, rowdy evenings, occasional fights. But hard life rule: I don’t frequent hooligan pubs.
This from @markgoodrich.bsky.social, is one of the only reasons I've found where I wish I were still on twitter - so I could share it to encourage others to leave
open.substack.com/pub/markgood...
open.substack.com/pub/markgood...
A New Year's Resolution for Teachers: Quit X
The best time to do so was when Musk started poisoning it; the second-best time is now
open.substack.com
December 31, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Excellent blog.
My main take on Twitter was always: ‘If this was a pub, would I visit?’
I can put up with disagreement, rowdy evenings, occasional fights. But hard life rule: I don’t frequent hooligan pubs.
My main take on Twitter was always: ‘If this was a pub, would I visit?’
I can put up with disagreement, rowdy evenings, occasional fights. But hard life rule: I don’t frequent hooligan pubs.
A variety of boats from this year’s travels.
#Boat
#TopTravelPics
@jollyhobos.bsky.social
@lovetwotravel.bsky.social
#Boat
#TopTravelPics
@jollyhobos.bsky.social
@lovetwotravel.bsky.social
November 21, 2025 at 7:39 AM
A variety of boats from this year’s travels.
#Boat
#TopTravelPics
@jollyhobos.bsky.social
@lovetwotravel.bsky.social
#Boat
#TopTravelPics
@jollyhobos.bsky.social
@lovetwotravel.bsky.social
Reposted by Helen D
Absolutely disgusted to hear about the racism Wes Streeting mentions here directed at school children who were visiting Parliament.
He has taken the post down, rightly, to protect the children.
But it's wrong that he had to do it.
Disgusted with so many people in our country. Racism is never OK.
He has taken the post down, rightly, to protect the children.
But it's wrong that he had to do it.
Disgusted with so many people in our country. Racism is never OK.
November 11, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Absolutely disgusted to hear about the racism Wes Streeting mentions here directed at school children who were visiting Parliament.
He has taken the post down, rightly, to protect the children.
But it's wrong that he had to do it.
Disgusted with so many people in our country. Racism is never OK.
He has taken the post down, rightly, to protect the children.
But it's wrong that he had to do it.
Disgusted with so many people in our country. Racism is never OK.
Reposted by Helen D
Just added to my Etsy shop:
🌿final small print run of my '26 calendars
🪶my handmade recycled silver jewellery designs (incl intricate casts of real flowers)
🌸limited ed'n mounted art prints of my photos
💐tiny posy mental health kits
Last orders for📮 in time for🌲: 19 Nov
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/silv...
🌿final small print run of my '26 calendars
🪶my handmade recycled silver jewellery designs (incl intricate casts of real flowers)
🌸limited ed'n mounted art prints of my photos
💐tiny posy mental health kits
Last orders for📮 in time for🌲: 19 Nov
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/silv...
November 5, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Just added to my Etsy shop:
🌿final small print run of my '26 calendars
🪶my handmade recycled silver jewellery designs (incl intricate casts of real flowers)
🌸limited ed'n mounted art prints of my photos
💐tiny posy mental health kits
Last orders for📮 in time for🌲: 19 Nov
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/silv...
🌿final small print run of my '26 calendars
🪶my handmade recycled silver jewellery designs (incl intricate casts of real flowers)
🌸limited ed'n mounted art prints of my photos
💐tiny posy mental health kits
Last orders for📮 in time for🌲: 19 Nov
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/silv...
Reposted by Helen D
"The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust are attempting to complete the purchase of the Rothbury Estate, a 15 sq miles (38.8 sq km) tract of former grouse moor, woodland and farmland, with plans to boost wildlife, restore bogs and promote nature-friendly farming." tinyurl.com/38yyvdju
Sir David Attenborough backs bid to buy Rothbury Estate
Wildlife trusts attempt to raise £30m to keep Northumberland's Rothbury Estate from being split up.
tinyurl.com
October 29, 2025 at 10:33 AM
"The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust are attempting to complete the purchase of the Rothbury Estate, a 15 sq miles (38.8 sq km) tract of former grouse moor, woodland and farmland, with plans to boost wildlife, restore bogs and promote nature-friendly farming." tinyurl.com/38yyvdju
Reposted by Helen D
Anyone interested in down sizing and living in a retirement cottage minutes from the sea. It’s full of happy memories and recently reduced to £160K.
Please share 🙏
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/1...
Please share 🙏
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/1...
Check out this 2 bedroom retirement property for sale on Rightmove
2 bedroom retirement property for sale in Ashdown Court, Cromer, NR27 for £160,000. Marketed by William H. Brown, Cromer
www.rightmove.co.uk
October 26, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Anyone interested in down sizing and living in a retirement cottage minutes from the sea. It’s full of happy memories and recently reduced to £160K.
Please share 🙏
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/1...
Please share 🙏
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/1...
Reposted by Helen D
An elected MP, Reform’s Sarah Pochin says there are too many Black and Asian people on TV - so plain racism - and the coverage of it is buried. Silence and ignorance is complicity, causing lasting damage. When we see racism it’s what we do next, individually and collectively, that matters.
October 26, 2025 at 8:38 AM
An elected MP, Reform’s Sarah Pochin says there are too many Black and Asian people on TV - so plain racism - and the coverage of it is buried. Silence and ignorance is complicity, causing lasting damage. When we see racism it’s what we do next, individually and collectively, that matters.
Reposted by Helen D
🧵Thread: Oh dear… now, I am picking up signs of what I feared would come- incoherence of policy and practice, with a scattergun approach to doing stuff…
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Lack of special schools in DfE hubs ‘is an act of self-harm’
Sector leaders voice concerns that the government’s first wave of behaviour and attendance hubs includes only mainstream settings
www.tes.com
October 17, 2025 at 8:22 AM
🧵Thread: Oh dear… now, I am picking up signs of what I feared would come- incoherence of policy and practice, with a scattergun approach to doing stuff…
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Helen D
The Bishop of Birmingham has written to the Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick about his comments about Handsworth
October 7, 2025 at 6:56 PM
The Bishop of Birmingham has written to the Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick about his comments about Handsworth
Reposted by Helen D
Many years ago I listened to @samfr.bsky.social at an edu conference. He was discussing what he described as the 4 levers of power that the DFE had to effect change.
1. To issue policy documents and directives and hope that schools took them up. Typically not really considered to be very effective.
1. To issue policy documents and directives and hope that schools took them up. Typically not really considered to be very effective.
September 27, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Many years ago I listened to @samfr.bsky.social at an edu conference. He was discussing what he described as the 4 levers of power that the DFE had to effect change.
1. To issue policy documents and directives and hope that schools took them up. Typically not really considered to be very effective.
1. To issue policy documents and directives and hope that schools took them up. Typically not really considered to be very effective.
Reposted by Helen D
Migrants didn't cut council funding. Migrants didn't cut NHS funding. Migrants didn't close youth centres. Migrants didn't sell off council houses. Migrants aren't filling our rivers with sewage.
Farage and co. will tell you to point the finger at migrants.
Don't fall for it.
Farage and co. will tell you to point the finger at migrants.
Don't fall for it.
August 26, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Migrants didn't cut council funding. Migrants didn't cut NHS funding. Migrants didn't close youth centres. Migrants didn't sell off council houses. Migrants aren't filling our rivers with sewage.
Farage and co. will tell you to point the finger at migrants.
Don't fall for it.
Farage and co. will tell you to point the finger at migrants.
Don't fall for it.
Reposted by Helen D
A Nursery child draws an elephant with wonderful succinctness.
A simple expressive line and perfectly judged areas of tone capture the imagination:
“I’ve drawn it for you…It’s sitting down and feeling sad because it’s the last day of school…and his trunk is crumpled up”
Utter Joy!
A simple expressive line and perfectly judged areas of tone capture the imagination:
“I’ve drawn it for you…It’s sitting down and feeling sad because it’s the last day of school…and his trunk is crumpled up”
Utter Joy!
July 17, 2025 at 7:04 PM
A Nursery child draws an elephant with wonderful succinctness.
A simple expressive line and perfectly judged areas of tone capture the imagination:
“I’ve drawn it for you…It’s sitting down and feeling sad because it’s the last day of school…and his trunk is crumpled up”
Utter Joy!
A simple expressive line and perfectly judged areas of tone capture the imagination:
“I’ve drawn it for you…It’s sitting down and feeling sad because it’s the last day of school…and his trunk is crumpled up”
Utter Joy!
Reposted by Helen D
He obviously hasn’t spent any time in a nursery, reception or KS1 class…
July 6, 2025 at 4:42 AM
He obviously hasn’t spent any time in a nursery, reception or KS1 class…
Reposted by Helen D
Today is the #InternationalDayforCounteringHateSpeech always, it should be, but especially relevant just now.
June 18, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Today is the #InternationalDayforCounteringHateSpeech always, it should be, but especially relevant just now.
Reposted by Helen D
A great blog. I would love it if he got lots of engagement - enough to make him abandon Twitter and make this his main site.
May 31, 2025 at 6:25 AM
A great blog. I would love it if he got lots of engagement - enough to make him abandon Twitter and make this his main site.
Reposted by Helen D
The Greens now have nearly 200 more councillors than Reform.
This is not something you'd be likely to guess from all the copiously salivating media coverage of Farage & his crew of billionaire-backed far-right chancers.
This is not something you'd be likely to guess from all the copiously salivating media coverage of Farage & his crew of billionaire-backed far-right chancers.
Another record year for the Green Party 👏
859 Councillors on 170 Councils in England & Wales
Now join us to keep Greens growing and to take the fight to Reform join.greenparty.org.uk
859 Councillors on 170 Councils in England & Wales
Now join us to keep Greens growing and to take the fight to Reform join.greenparty.org.uk
May 2, 2025 at 10:58 PM
The Greens now have nearly 200 more councillors than Reform.
This is not something you'd be likely to guess from all the copiously salivating media coverage of Farage & his crew of billionaire-backed far-right chancers.
This is not something you'd be likely to guess from all the copiously salivating media coverage of Farage & his crew of billionaire-backed far-right chancers.
Reposted by Helen D
After 2+ years, many rewrites & piloting, I am so pleased that this has been published! A free, online training programme for non-specialist secondary practitioners about the development of reading. Includes practical strategies that can be adapted for any classroom. 1/2
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Supporting all readers in secondary school
A short course for secondary school staff and leaders to support readers at all levels.
www.gov.uk
April 28, 2025 at 9:17 AM
After 2+ years, many rewrites & piloting, I am so pleased that this has been published! A free, online training programme for non-specialist secondary practitioners about the development of reading. Includes practical strategies that can be adapted for any classroom. 1/2
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Helen D
Morning Bluesky! Have you cancelled a planned trip or move – holiday, work, short-term or long-term – to the USA? Fancy chatting to me about for a piece?
@ me or DM if so, especially if you’re located in the UK. (RTs much appreciated too).
@ me or DM if so, especially if you’re located in the UK. (RTs much appreciated too).
April 22, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Morning Bluesky! Have you cancelled a planned trip or move – holiday, work, short-term or long-term – to the USA? Fancy chatting to me about for a piece?
@ me or DM if so, especially if you’re located in the UK. (RTs much appreciated too).
@ me or DM if so, especially if you’re located in the UK. (RTs much appreciated too).
Reposted by Helen D
Can anyone recommend good short stories for 9 year olds?
Due to my class having limited ability to keep track of a longer class novel for several weeks I’m looking for excellent short stories instead.
We loved Run Wild by Gill Lewis. Cool by Michael Morpurgo is our next one. What would you recommend next?
Recommendations for short story anthologies?
We loved Run Wild by Gill Lewis. Cool by Michael Morpurgo is our next one. What would you recommend next?
Recommendations for short story anthologies?
March 31, 2025 at 6:39 AM
Can anyone recommend good short stories for 9 year olds?