Dan Worker
@dworker.bsky.social
Deputy Headteacher | Teaching & Learning | History teacher | NPQH | Future Leaders cohort 2020 | MA Education
BLOG: https://aleaderslibrary.wordpress.com
BLOG: https://aleaderslibrary.wordpress.com
Reposted by Dan Worker
A big (and very welcome) announcement from government today on free school meal eligibilty, widening it to all children on families eligible for UC.
A quick thread on these changes, and the remaining challenges 🧵
www.suttontrust.com/news-opinion...
A quick thread on these changes, and the remaining challenges 🧵
www.suttontrust.com/news-opinion...
Taking hunger out of the classroom. - The Sutton Trust
Unpacking the Government's decision to widen FSM access to all households on universal credit.
www.suttontrust.com
June 5, 2025 at 8:17 AM
A big (and very welcome) announcement from government today on free school meal eligibilty, widening it to all children on families eligible for UC.
A quick thread on these changes, and the remaining challenges 🧵
www.suttontrust.com/news-opinion...
A quick thread on these changes, and the remaining challenges 🧵
www.suttontrust.com/news-opinion...
These are the kind of policies I want to see from a Labour government. This directly gives families the help they need and tackles child hunger. But will make a big difference in schools. Improving concentration and behaviour - factors which will have a direct impact on outcomes and life chances.
🚨 NEW: Labour is lifting 100,000 children out of poverty by expanding access to free school meals.
Alongside free breakfast clubs, cheaper uniform costs and government-funded childcare, Labour is putting money in parents’ pockets and giving children the best start in life.
Alongside free breakfast clubs, cheaper uniform costs and government-funded childcare, Labour is putting money in parents’ pockets and giving children the best start in life.
June 5, 2025 at 7:38 AM
These are the kind of policies I want to see from a Labour government. This directly gives families the help they need and tackles child hunger. But will make a big difference in schools. Improving concentration and behaviour - factors which will have a direct impact on outcomes and life chances.
This is key to the debate. Knowledge is deeply disciplinary.
In any given class you will have kids that end up being doctors, accountants, plumbers, engineers, musicians, whatever...
There is no generic set of skills you can teach them that will make them all ready for whatever they go on to do.
There is no generic set of skills you can teach them that will make them all ready for whatever they go on to do.
June 2, 2025 at 5:39 PM
This is key to the debate. Knowledge is deeply disciplinary.
Reposted by Dan Worker
Continually depressing to me how there is no policy area where you don't have to keep litigating the same shit. Essentially every old wealthy country has tried both approaches and we KNOW that having a curriculum that focuses on knowledge, not 'the skills of the future' works better.
June 2, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Continually depressing to me how there is no policy area where you don't have to keep litigating the same shit. Essentially every old wealthy country has tried both approaches and we KNOW that having a curriculum that focuses on knowledge, not 'the skills of the future' works better.
Reposted by Dan Worker
Part I of a new series of blogs looking at how we’re putting inclusion at the very heart of our school.
This post describes the overall structure.
researchschool.org.uk/greenshaw/ne...
This post describes the overall structure.
researchschool.org.uk/greenshaw/ne...
Our Graduated Response: A whole school approach
Phil Stock talks through moving towards a whole school model of how to support pupils with different levels of need.
researchschool.org.uk
March 21, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Part I of a new series of blogs looking at how we’re putting inclusion at the very heart of our school.
This post describes the overall structure.
researchschool.org.uk/greenshaw/ne...
This post describes the overall structure.
researchschool.org.uk/greenshaw/ne...
Reposted by Dan Worker
'The inspectorate is caught between the political rock of a manifesto commitment and the psychometric hard place of inspection validity'
How many times should Ofsted 'rethink' a bad idea?
Its current proposals are ill-conceived - but so is the very idea of more data for school accountability
buff.ly
March 17, 2025 at 10:46 AM
'The inspectorate is caught between the political rock of a manifesto commitment and the psychometric hard place of inspection validity'
Reposted by Dan Worker
📊Pupil absence is a key, and growing, driver of the disadvantage gap. If disadvantaged pupils had the same level of absence as their peers, the gap at age 11 would be almost 1 month smaller, and at age 16, over 4 months smaller. In fact, absence fully explains the gap-widening at age 16 since 2019
March 17, 2025 at 12:38 AM
📊Pupil absence is a key, and growing, driver of the disadvantage gap. If disadvantaged pupils had the same level of absence as their peers, the gap at age 11 would be almost 1 month smaller, and at age 16, over 4 months smaller. In fact, absence fully explains the gap-widening at age 16 since 2019
Reposted by Dan Worker
March 8, 2025 at 9:36 AM
“Teachers are curriculum makers…however, policy dev over the last 30 plus yrs have not necessarily resulted in sufficient focus on practice on this critical aspect of teachers’ professionalism” (Impact) Great wrk happening on curriculum, perhaps more needed to consolidate as key aspect of profession
February 20, 2025 at 8:24 AM
“Teachers are curriculum makers…however, policy dev over the last 30 plus yrs have not necessarily resulted in sufficient focus on practice on this critical aspect of teachers’ professionalism” (Impact) Great wrk happening on curriculum, perhaps more needed to consolidate as key aspect of profession
Great starting point for considering factors in school improvement.
A model for school environment and leadership.
Based on the School Environment and Leadership: Evidence Review.
⭐This document draws on a comprehensive review of existing literature and identifies a set of school factors for which there is good evidence that they are related to student outcomes
Based on the School Environment and Leadership: Evidence Review.
⭐This document draws on a comprehensive review of existing literature and identifies a set of school factors for which there is good evidence that they are related to student outcomes
February 7, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Great starting point for considering factors in school improvement.
Really interesting thread on potential negative impact OFSTED framework could have on SLT collaboration
👇👇👇
👇👇👇
One thing I can’t stop thinking about with the new Ofsted framework is how divisive it could be for SLT teams. If every strand has a senior leader responsible for it’s success, there is the potential for leadership teams to work in isolation and have things just one person’s responsibility (1/5)
February 6, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Really interesting thread on potential negative impact OFSTED framework could have on SLT collaboration
👇👇👇
👇👇👇
Reposted by Dan Worker
Ofsted struggled to offer a fair, reliable and consistent single-word rating during a 2-day inspection, but seems to think it can judge multiple complex areas in the same timeframe, piling more unnecessary pressure on school leaders and their staff.
🔗 bit.ly/3WJrux4
🔗 bit.ly/3WJrux4
February 3, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Ofsted struggled to offer a fair, reliable and consistent single-word rating during a 2-day inspection, but seems to think it can judge multiple complex areas in the same timeframe, piling more unnecessary pressure on school leaders and their staff.
🔗 bit.ly/3WJrux4
🔗 bit.ly/3WJrux4
Interesting read for any school leaders in process on introducing T Levels.
Important new research on access and progression in T Levels
From our very own Robbie Maris and colleagues at the Education Policy Institute
epi.org.uk/wp-content/u...
From our very own Robbie Maris and colleagues at the Education Policy Institute
epi.org.uk/wp-content/u...
epi.org.uk
February 2, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Interesting read for any school leaders in process on introducing T Levels.
Great day at #PiXL
Pleasure to share the work we have done on improving outcomes for high prior attainers.
Thanks to everyone who attended the session!
Pleasure to share the work we have done on improving outcomes for high prior attainers.
Thanks to everyone who attended the session!
January 31, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Great day at #PiXL
Pleasure to share the work we have done on improving outcomes for high prior attainers.
Thanks to everyone who attended the session!
Pleasure to share the work we have done on improving outcomes for high prior attainers.
Thanks to everyone who attended the session!
Had discussion this week on the value of History in the curriculum. It is exactly because we are in a period of change that History will be as valuable as ever. Just because we are getting more technologically advanced doesn’t mean STEM is all that matters. And in ‘post-truth’ world it will be key.
This is why you don't design curricula around "jobs of the future".
We can't predict the future but we do know what general skills and knowledge will be valuable whatever job you do.
We can't predict the future but we do know what general skills and knowledge will be valuable whatever job you do.
‘Learn to code’
Should’ve done a proper degree like sociology or political science
Should’ve done a proper degree like sociology or political science
January 26, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Had discussion this week on the value of History in the curriculum. It is exactly because we are in a period of change that History will be as valuable as ever. Just because we are getting more technologically advanced doesn’t mean STEM is all that matters. And in ‘post-truth’ world it will be key.
Reposted by Dan Worker
This is why you don't design curricula around "jobs of the future".
We can't predict the future but we do know what general skills and knowledge will be valuable whatever job you do.
We can't predict the future but we do know what general skills and knowledge will be valuable whatever job you do.
‘Learn to code’
Should’ve done a proper degree like sociology or political science
Should’ve done a proper degree like sociology or political science
January 26, 2025 at 10:59 AM
This is why you don't design curricula around "jobs of the future".
We can't predict the future but we do know what general skills and knowledge will be valuable whatever job you do.
We can't predict the future but we do know what general skills and knowledge will be valuable whatever job you do.
Reposted by Dan Worker
We have written to the SoS Education in support of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. We have summarised it here in a letter to The Times and the included in an article.
January 23, 2025 at 6:40 AM
We have written to the SoS Education in support of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. We have summarised it here in a letter to The Times and the included in an article.
It’s Wednesday afternoon. So that means staff briefing and our weekly Tips of the Week.
This week was all about Brightening the Lines.
Some quick and easy tips to implement.
1. Display a countdown timer
2. Narrate timing reminder
3. Use a consistent signal to start.
#EduSky
This week was all about Brightening the Lines.
Some quick and easy tips to implement.
1. Display a countdown timer
2. Narrate timing reminder
3. Use a consistent signal to start.
#EduSky
January 22, 2025 at 4:30 PM
It’s Wednesday afternoon. So that means staff briefing and our weekly Tips of the Week.
This week was all about Brightening the Lines.
Some quick and easy tips to implement.
1. Display a countdown timer
2. Narrate timing reminder
3. Use a consistent signal to start.
#EduSky
This week was all about Brightening the Lines.
Some quick and easy tips to implement.
1. Display a countdown timer
2. Narrate timing reminder
3. Use a consistent signal to start.
#EduSky
Been thinking a lot about what makes effective subject teams, from a disciplinary perspective. I.e. What is it that makes an effective Science team different from an effective History team? There is obviously subject knowledge. But I think there is more to it. Curious on thoughts from others!
January 21, 2025 at 6:04 AM
Been thinking a lot about what makes effective subject teams, from a disciplinary perspective. I.e. What is it that makes an effective Science team different from an effective History team? There is obviously subject knowledge. But I think there is more to it. Curious on thoughts from others!
Reposted by Dan Worker
Really enjoying this thread! Lots of good ideas and some good honest discussion about what works and what might not. Imo important for bluesky to be somewhere between "oh isn't that a lovely idea" and "you're literally a nazi for doing that in class"
Alright squad, tonight's question:
What's the thing you've seen this year that you thought "wow that's a great idea I'm going to do that" and then done it? Could be within your school, or something you saw online or whatever. Anything goes, T&L, behaviour, curriculum, leadership etc
What's the thing you've seen this year that you thought "wow that's a great idea I'm going to do that" and then done it? Could be within your school, or something you saw online or whatever. Anything goes, T&L, behaviour, curriculum, leadership etc
January 19, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Really enjoying this thread! Lots of good ideas and some good honest discussion about what works and what might not. Imo important for bluesky to be somewhere between "oh isn't that a lovely idea" and "you're literally a nazi for doing that in class"
Reposted by Dan Worker
"Team rituals" are regular activities/practices, eg huddles, team lunches, check-ins, celebrations. New research shows teams with more rituals have more engagement, psychological safety, knowledge & job satisfaction, leading to higher productivity/performance: lnkd.in/eXNNvP-G Art: lnkd.in/e_XmBeg9
January 19, 2025 at 2:10 PM
"Team rituals" are regular activities/practices, eg huddles, team lunches, check-ins, celebrations. New research shows teams with more rituals have more engagement, psychological safety, knowledge & job satisfaction, leading to higher productivity/performance: lnkd.in/eXNNvP-G Art: lnkd.in/e_XmBeg9
Final countdown to GCSE exams. 🚨🚨🚨
Here are some of the key things we will be doing to support Year 11 this term:
🧵
Here are some of the key things we will be doing to support Year 11 this term:
🧵
January 19, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Final countdown to GCSE exams. 🚨🚨🚨
Here are some of the key things we will be doing to support Year 11 this term:
🧵
Here are some of the key things we will be doing to support Year 11 this term:
🧵
Reposted by Dan Worker
The impact of the “PowerPoint-ification” of teaching is even more notable in subjects like history, geography or psychology. Reading actual texts survives in English, but in many other subjects there are plenty who don’t see point in reading when you could stick a few bullets on a slide.
"PowerPoint slides have been used to erase more complex reading from textbooks or worksheets in many subjects." Alex is spot on here. @michaeldoron.bsky.social and his team expertly tackle this. PPs images only, pupils read challenging texts
My new @tesmagazine.bsky.social column on 'Why making reading easier may be a bad choice'.
Looking forward to all those AI created extracts, lovely and easy graphic summaries, or 'Shakespeare made easy'? Perhaps think again.
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Looking forward to all those AI created extracts, lovely and easy graphic summaries, or 'Shakespeare made easy'? Perhaps think again.
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
January 18, 2025 at 1:18 PM
The impact of the “PowerPoint-ification” of teaching is even more notable in subjects like history, geography or psychology. Reading actual texts survives in English, but in many other subjects there are plenty who don’t see point in reading when you could stick a few bullets on a slide.
Reposted by Dan Worker
Learning is fascinating. Our subjects are fascinating.
I think people were duped into thinking that wasn't the case, and the balance tipped the wrong way for a bit.
I think people were duped into thinking that wasn't the case, and the balance tipped the wrong way for a bit.
*** NEW POST ***
Was I right to suggest that lessons don't need to be fun?
Well, yes. But...
teachreal.wordpress.com/2025/01/17/t...
Was I right to suggest that lessons don't need to be fun?
Well, yes. But...
teachreal.wordpress.com/2025/01/17/t...
The other F word
Did you know, that in parts of the world like those in east Africa’s Rift Valley, the high fluoride content in volcanic springs can soften the enamel on the teeth of those who drink it, allow…
teachreal.wordpress.com
January 18, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Learning is fascinating. Our subjects are fascinating.
I think people were duped into thinking that wasn't the case, and the balance tipped the wrong way for a bit.
I think people were duped into thinking that wasn't the case, and the balance tipped the wrong way for a bit.
NEW POST: Marginal gains for Year 11
It’s the final push with Year 11. Here are my 8 marginal gains for teachers and school leaders to be doing this term.
aleaderslibrary.wordpress.com/2025/01/18/m...
It’s the final push with Year 11. Here are my 8 marginal gains for teachers and school leaders to be doing this term.
aleaderslibrary.wordpress.com/2025/01/18/m...
Marginal gains for Year 11
We are in the final push with Year 11! As Term 5 of their GCSE comes around most of the work has already been done. Our curriculum delivered, pre-public exams held, feedback given, parents met with…
aleaderslibrary.wordpress.com
January 18, 2025 at 10:17 AM
NEW POST: Marginal gains for Year 11
It’s the final push with Year 11. Here are my 8 marginal gains for teachers and school leaders to be doing this term.
aleaderslibrary.wordpress.com/2025/01/18/m...
It’s the final push with Year 11. Here are my 8 marginal gains for teachers and school leaders to be doing this term.
aleaderslibrary.wordpress.com/2025/01/18/m...