Author | Lightnews

Emma Knights @emmakn.bsky.social · 6d

Thanks. Given political thinking is also a R4 programme, might it be worth sitting your analysis to R4 Feedback? The lack of rigour & environmental knowledge of news journalists is depressing

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Emma Knights @emmakn.bsky.social · 13d

There's been little bandwidth to develop with the school inspection plan so controversial & wrong headed. MAT inspection surely needs to start with a focus on trust governance, executive leadership & their strategy: what value is it adding?

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Emma Knights @emmakn.bsky.social · 23d

How very disappointing esp considering the number of organisations working to support schools with sustainability: but given all the other challenges schools face, leadership is needed from DfE

Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 23d

Exclusive: Only 3% more teachers say their school has nominated a sustainability this year compared with 2023, showing little progress for climate change strategies

schoolsweek.co.uk

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Reposted by Emma Knights

Nolan Principles Matter. End the #GazaGenocide💔💙 @philildo.bsky.social · 29d

'Leader' of the 'free' world calls #ClimateChange a hoax at UN...
Meanwhile, the not-so-free nation of China is leading the way on #Renewables
This headline belies the vast ramping up renewable infrastructure in China ( #R4Today report 6.20am)

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

China makes landmark pledge to cut its climate emissions

It is China's first firm goal to reduce emissions but falls well short of what is needed to meet global targets.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Emma Knights @emmakn.bsky.social · 26d

Sure, but most people do buy things on-line (even though it's wrecking the local economy: different argument I know). So they're willing to take the risk #bbcaq

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Emma Knights @emmakn.bsky.social · 26d

Interesting that people are so concerned about Govt having data on ID system when we're all handing so much digital info to the private sector & so many other countries have them

There's always been issues with those entitled to benefits claiming: perhaps this could help in the future? #bbcaq

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Emma Knights @emmakn.bsky.social · 26d

I'm no expert but they did have slower trains before. Think they are just so much better at engineering & project management. But probably easier without national elections! No need to little to give in to every complaint from Chilterns consistencies. Wish HS2 had started in the North #bbcaq

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Emma Knights @emmakn.bsky.social · 26d

Just been to China: such a terrific high speed train system. On time, seats for all, clean & often through mountains. Plus the metros so cheap & well used

Why oh why are we in Britain so unable to modernise our railway system? #bbcaq

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Emma Knights @emmakn.bsky.social · 27d

Important research. Maybe we need to return to the length of the summer holidays debate? @ioe.bsky.social

Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 28d

📊 'This cohort are consistently the least engaged across nearly every measure and often start secondary school on the back foot'

@ioe.bsky.social's John Jerrim launches his new 'Stat of the nation' column with an exclusive look at stark new data

schoolsweek.co.uk

Emma Knights @emmakn.bsky.social · Aug 30

#r4today can't quite believe that short piece on childcare. 20 years when I was co-CEO of predecessor of Coram Family & Child care all the same issues. So sad there hasn't been progress on pay & status of early years workers www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk

Coram Family and Childcare

Improving life for UK families through better childcare and early years support, creating lasting impact for today and the future.

www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk

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Reposted by Emma Knights

Covering Climate Now @coveringclimatenow.org · Aug 28

Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina ravaged his hometown of New Orleans, Jon Batiste has released a new song imploring people to take action against climate change “by raising your voice, and insisting, and voting the right people into office.”

Guardian Environment @environment.theguardian.com · Aug 28

‘It’s a warning, set to a dance beat’: Jon Batiste on his new song urging climate action 20 years after Katrina

The global music star, whose home town of New Orleans was devastated by the hurricane in 2005, says ‘people power’ can change the world

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Emma Knights

Carl Zimmer @carlzimmer.com · Aug 19

Glaciers in the Alps and Pyrenees have lost about 40% of their mass since 2000. www.nbcnews.com/science/clim...

At Europe's melting glaciers, signs of climate peril are everywhere

Europe's glaciers are shrinking faster than anywhere else on Earth, leaving behind unstable landscapes.

www.nbcnews.com

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Reposted by Emma Knights

Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · Aug 19

Yet another retrospective triumph for Cameron and Osborne.

Scrapping of audit watchdog for English councils ‘led to soaring costs and chaos’

High critical report finds that instead of promised annual saving of £100m, fees have rocketed amid financial crisis

www.theguardian.com

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Emma Knights @emmakn.bsky.social · Aug 17

I love My Brilliant Friend: it was in my 20 most memorable books in #Skybooks #Bookchallenge. But I just didn't find the 3rd compelling. But hope you're enjoying it

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Emma Knights @emmakn.bsky.social · Aug 13

This comes across v pro air conditioning, but there needs to be much more attention to other ways of reducing summer heat - don't air pumps help?

Reposted by Emma Knights

Green Alliance @green-alliance.org.uk · Jul 11

🌡️☔ New report | The UK isn't prepared for the impacts of climate change, and they're already here.

Nearly 3k deaths from excess heat in 2022. £2.4bn annual flooding costs. 6m homes at flood risk.

Yet 2/3 of #adaptation actions are inadequate for the scale of the challenge.

🔗 buff.ly/v9yl5ln

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Adapt to thrive: preparing the UK for climate change

In this report, we show that the UK is underprepared for the impacts of climate change and outline a roadmap to an adapted and more resilient future.

buff.ly

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Reposted by Emma Knights

General Boles @generalboles.bsky.social · Jul 13

I wonder if 'walking the Salt Path' will become a euphemism here the way 'hiking the Appalachian Trail' has in America?

"I've been walking the Salt Path" = I've not been entirely honest

The phrase "hiking the Appalachian Trail" became a euphemism for infidelity after South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford used it to explain his absence while visiting his mistress in Argentina. In 2009, Sanford disappeared for six days, claiming he was hiking the Appalachian Trail. His aides repeated this story, but it was later revealed he had been with his mistress, María Belén Chapur, in Buenos Aires. The incident gained significant media attention and led to the phrase becoming a widely recognized euphemism for extramarital affairs

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Emma Knights @emmakn.bsky.social · Jul 6

observer.co.uk/news/nationa... as mentioned on ##bbclaurak. Good journalism but what a shame. What were @penguinbooksuk.bsky.social doing or failing to do?! Hope the next book is cancelled #SkyBooks

The real Salt Path: how a blockbuster book and film were ...

Penniless and homeless, the Winns found fame and fortune with the story of their 630-mile walk to salvation. We can reveal that the truth behind it is ve...

observer.co.uk

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Emma Knights @emmakn.bsky.social · Jul 4

Great to see NGA's latest report on an important topic: collaboration matters

NGA For Schools & Trusts @ngauk.bsky.social · Jul 4

New NGA research reveals how schools are collaborating outside the MAT model, through local clusters, informal partnerships, and networks. Discover what’s working, what’s holding them back & what more can be done. Read the full report: www.nga.org.uk/knowledge-ce...

Reposted by Emma Knights

Josiah Mortimer @josiah.writes.news · Jun 25

The Woodland Trust has a new campaign calling on the Government to restore Britain's (much depleted) ancient woodlands campaigns.woodlandtrust.org.uk/page/166361/...

Ask your Government to rescue our Forgotten Forests!

40% of the UK's ancient woodlands are vanishing before our eyes. Now, we have one golden opportunity to save these Forgotten Forests. The English and Scottish Governments must put plans in place to re...

campaigns.woodlandtrust.org.uk

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Emma Knights @emmakn.bsky.social · Jun 21

Fabulous, but no mention of the governing board's role: they don't exist in every country but here it's an important part of their core functions

Reposted by Emma Knights

Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · Jun 9

Today's newsletter, which I primarily wrote because Harvey, who filled in for Georgina while she was on holiday, made a really cool chart, is on Labour's child poverty pledge and what it tells us more broadly about the government's approach:

Political will is missing link in Labour’s child poverty promise

Gains from scrapping two-child benefit limit and reforming tax on buying shares would outweigh any electoral hit

www.ft.com

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Emma Knights @emmakn.bsky.social · Jun 9

When I was in charge at NGA, I enjoyed the magazine arriving. Now it's nothing to do with me, it's still fab to see a great new edition #GoverningMatters

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Reposted by Emma Knights

Rachel Sylvester @rachelsylvester.bsky.social · Jun 7

Schools to get extra £4.5 bn a year in spending review for teacher pay and SEND reform taking per pupil funding to highest level - my story for @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...

Surprise extra £4.5bn for schools as Reeves goes to wire ...

More money for SEND reforms and teachers’ pay while health and defence are big winners in spending review

observer.co.uk

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Emma Knights @emmakn.bsky.social · Jun 4

Good to see the minister thanking school governors and academy trustees in #VolunteersWeek2025
Overlooked for too long gov.uk/government/p...

https://gov.uk/government/publications/letter-to-governors-and-trustees-in-schools-and-academy-trusts…