Nick Hitchen
@independentschhead.bsky.social
Headteacher, Clarence House Preparatory School in Hampton Hill. 3 x Ofsted Outstanding.
This is excellent. Not easy to convince colleagues to abandon levels/‘expected standard’ mindset, but Siegler’s wave theory does strike a chord - we know from our own lives that we don’t make progress in smooth, even steps.
The myth of progress & the metaphors we use fot learning open.substack.com/pub/daviddid...
The myth of progress
Rethinking the metaphors we use for learning
open.substack.com
May 12, 2025 at 8:23 AM
This is excellent. Not easy to convince colleagues to abandon levels/‘expected standard’ mindset, but Siegler’s wave theory does strike a chord - we know from our own lives that we don’t make progress in smooth, even steps.
Reposted by Nick Hitchen
New Study Confirms a Core Truth About Learning carlhendrick.substack.com/p/new-study-...
New Study Confirms a Core Truth About Learning
Short term pain = long term gain
carlhendrick.substack.com
May 4, 2025 at 1:31 PM
New Study Confirms a Core Truth About Learning carlhendrick.substack.com/p/new-study-...
Reposted by Nick Hitchen
Handwriting bias is a real problem. Some essays are really hard to read & get lower marks as a result.
Our latest feature lets you toggle between the original handwritten script & a transcription.
substack.nomoremarking.com/p/can-ai-sol...
Our latest feature lets you toggle between the original handwritten script & a transcription.
substack.nomoremarking.com/p/can-ai-sol...
May 12, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Handwriting bias is a real problem. Some essays are really hard to read & get lower marks as a result.
Our latest feature lets you toggle between the original handwritten script & a transcription.
substack.nomoremarking.com/p/can-ai-sol...
Our latest feature lets you toggle between the original handwritten script & a transcription.
substack.nomoremarking.com/p/can-ai-sol...
Reposted by Nick Hitchen
NEW ALBUM & UK TOUR NEWS!
'Rainy Sunday Afternoon' to be released 19th September.
Pre-order now from our webstore for ticket pre-sale access.
More info: thedivinecomedy.com/news/rainy-a...
Listen to the lead track 'Achilles': lnk.to/RainySunday
#thedivinecomedy #rainysundayafternoon
'Rainy Sunday Afternoon' to be released 19th September.
Pre-order now from our webstore for ticket pre-sale access.
More info: thedivinecomedy.com/news/rainy-a...
Listen to the lead track 'Achilles': lnk.to/RainySunday
#thedivinecomedy #rainysundayafternoon
April 8, 2025 at 4:14 PM
NEW ALBUM & UK TOUR NEWS!
'Rainy Sunday Afternoon' to be released 19th September.
Pre-order now from our webstore for ticket pre-sale access.
More info: thedivinecomedy.com/news/rainy-a...
Listen to the lead track 'Achilles': lnk.to/RainySunday
#thedivinecomedy #rainysundayafternoon
'Rainy Sunday Afternoon' to be released 19th September.
Pre-order now from our webstore for ticket pre-sale access.
More info: thedivinecomedy.com/news/rainy-a...
Listen to the lead track 'Achilles': lnk.to/RainySunday
#thedivinecomedy #rainysundayafternoon
New pilot: inspired by Hirsch’s Realms of Gold, we’ve created ‘What to Read at Bedtime’: a term’s worth of bedtime stories, including:
* A novel (Pilot: Morpurgo)
* Extract from classic (WitWillows)
* Ten poems to read at the weekend. (Frost. Rossetti)
* A story from English history.
* A novel (Pilot: Morpurgo)
* Extract from classic (WitWillows)
* Ten poems to read at the weekend. (Frost. Rossetti)
* A story from English history.
March 27, 2025 at 5:38 PM
New pilot: inspired by Hirsch’s Realms of Gold, we’ve created ‘What to Read at Bedtime’: a term’s worth of bedtime stories, including:
* A novel (Pilot: Morpurgo)
* Extract from classic (WitWillows)
* Ten poems to read at the weekend. (Frost. Rossetti)
* A story from English history.
* A novel (Pilot: Morpurgo)
* Extract from classic (WitWillows)
* Ten poems to read at the weekend. (Frost. Rossetti)
* A story from English history.
NEW blog on sweating the small stuff. Pencil cases! What’s on a desk?
And some thoughts about what that means for your school leadership.
nickhitchen.weebly.com/home/pencil-ca…
And some thoughts about what that means for your school leadership.
nickhitchen.weebly.com/home/pencil-ca…
March 20, 2025 at 8:25 PM
NEW blog on sweating the small stuff. Pencil cases! What’s on a desk?
And some thoughts about what that means for your school leadership.
nickhitchen.weebly.com/home/pencil-ca…
And some thoughts about what that means for your school leadership.
nickhitchen.weebly.com/home/pencil-ca…
Something practical you can do today to make a difference in your classroom: compile your knowledge organisers into #KnowledgeBooks
Learn more here:
nickhitchen.weebly.com/home/knowledge…
Learn more here:
nickhitchen.weebly.com/home/knowledge…
https://nickhitchen.weebly.com/home/knowledge…
March 10, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Something practical you can do today to make a difference in your classroom: compile your knowledge organisers into #KnowledgeBooks
Learn more here:
nickhitchen.weebly.com/home/knowledge…
Learn more here:
nickhitchen.weebly.com/home/knowledge…
A simple way to set meaningful #homework: give the pupils retrieval practice quizzes.
Learn more:
nickhitchen.weebly.com/home/meaningfu…
Learn more:
nickhitchen.weebly.com/home/meaningfu…
https://nickhitchen.weebly.com/home/meaningfu…
March 10, 2025 at 7:29 AM
A simple way to set meaningful #homework: give the pupils retrieval practice quizzes.
Learn more:
nickhitchen.weebly.com/home/meaningfu…
Learn more:
nickhitchen.weebly.com/home/meaningfu…
NEW blog post on how we set meaningful homework using @carousel-learning.bsky.social
Blog
nickhitchen.weebly.com
Blog
nickhitchen.weebly.com
March 7, 2025 at 5:55 PM
NEW blog post on how we set meaningful homework using @carousel-learning.bsky.social
Blog
nickhitchen.weebly.com
Blog
nickhitchen.weebly.com
Reading>Audiobooks>Film>TV>Tiktok.
Placing Civilisation VII between film and tv!
Placing Civilisation VII between film and tv!
Should we be worried that more kids are listening to audiobooks for pleasure rather than reading books? Children’s love of stories has always jumped from platform to platform | Sam Leith
Audiobooks are not a threat to children's literacy
The National Literacy Trust has sparked quite the controversy with its proposal that audiobooks be introduced into the school curriculum. The suggestion follows the finding that among children…
buff.ly
February 27, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Reading>Audiobooks>Film>TV>Tiktok.
Placing Civilisation VII between film and tv!
Placing Civilisation VII between film and tv!
I’m a practical chap. There’s LOTS of great advice on this site…but what’s sometimes lacking is, ‘What should I do on Monday morning with Y4.’
Here’s something really practical that could make a big difference to your class: #KnowledgeBooks
nickhitchen.weebly.com/home/knowled...
Here’s something really practical that could make a big difference to your class: #KnowledgeBooks
nickhitchen.weebly.com/home/knowled...
Knowledge Books
Organise your knowledge organisers.
nickhitchen.weebly.com
February 27, 2025 at 12:49 PM
I’m a practical chap. There’s LOTS of great advice on this site…but what’s sometimes lacking is, ‘What should I do on Monday morning with Y4.’
Here’s something really practical that could make a big difference to your class: #KnowledgeBooks
nickhitchen.weebly.com/home/knowled...
Here’s something really practical that could make a big difference to your class: #KnowledgeBooks
nickhitchen.weebly.com/home/knowled...
Really like the Y6 writing prompt, @nomoremarking.bsky.social @daisychristo.bsky.social - fewer characters than other prompts, and very clear implied conflict. Should encourage candidates to describe the scene, too.
February 27, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Really like the Y6 writing prompt, @nomoremarking.bsky.social @daisychristo.bsky.social - fewer characters than other prompts, and very clear implied conflict. Should encourage candidates to describe the scene, too.
Reminder: #WorldBookDay is a great excuse to share books and spend time reading books in class; this is a jolly good thing!
Making the day about dressing up is a waste of time. Half the kids will come as characters from Netflix shows!
Making the day about dressing up is a waste of time. Half the kids will come as characters from Netflix shows!
February 26, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Reminder: #WorldBookDay is a great excuse to share books and spend time reading books in class; this is a jolly good thing!
Making the day about dressing up is a waste of time. Half the kids will come as characters from Netflix shows!
Making the day about dressing up is a waste of time. Half the kids will come as characters from Netflix shows!
You’ve organised your knowledge, but have you organised your organisers? #KnowledgeBooks
nickhitchen.weebly.com/home/knowled...
nickhitchen.weebly.com/home/knowled...
Knowledge Books
Organise your knowledge organisers.
nickhitchen.weebly.com
February 26, 2025 at 7:14 PM
You’ve organised your knowledge, but have you organised your organisers? #KnowledgeBooks
nickhitchen.weebly.com/home/knowled...
nickhitchen.weebly.com/home/knowled...
Really interesting post - but I hold the opposite view! My take is that an awful lots of problems fester because we aren’t efficient enough. ‘Yes, Bob hadn’t mastered phonics yet…but there’s always Year Three. I’m sure my colleague will sort it out…’ @bernardandrews.bsky.social
'If we treat school as a machine for making progress, those who are atypical are spanners in the works…'
@bernardandrews.bsky.social explains why the focus on efficiency is damaging education ⬇️
@bernardandrews.bsky.social explains why the focus on efficiency is damaging education ⬇️
How ‘efficiency’ derailed education
The education system has become too obsessed with efficiency and has lost its true purpose, argues Bernard Andrews
www.tes.com
February 26, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Really interesting post - but I hold the opposite view! My take is that an awful lots of problems fester because we aren’t efficient enough. ‘Yes, Bob hadn’t mastered phonics yet…but there’s always Year Three. I’m sure my colleague will sort it out…’ @bernardandrews.bsky.social
NEW blog: Use knowledge organisers with your class? Here’s a ‘quick win’ you can try TODAY. #knowledgebooks
nickhitchen.weebly.com/home/knowled...
nickhitchen.weebly.com/home/knowled...
Knowledge Books
Organise your knowledge organisers.
nickhitchen.weebly.com
February 26, 2025 at 7:37 AM
NEW blog: Use knowledge organisers with your class? Here’s a ‘quick win’ you can try TODAY. #knowledgebooks
nickhitchen.weebly.com/home/knowled...
nickhitchen.weebly.com/home/knowled...
This is excellent from @gregashman.bsky.social
‘A knowledge-rich curriculum is anything but basic.’
Best service Francis review could do is to outline that knowledge - the nuts and bolts - in detail.
‘A knowledge-rich curriculum is anything but basic.’
Best service Francis review could do is to outline that knowledge - the nuts and bolts - in detail.
Greg Ashman (@gregashman.bsky.social)
School leader who teaches a bit. PhD in Instructional Design. Writer. Podcasted for a bit. Part-time Professor. Honorary Fellow. Views entirely my own.
Ballarat.
fillingthepail.substack.com
gregashman.bsky.social
February 25, 2025 at 5:20 PM
This is excellent from @gregashman.bsky.social
‘A knowledge-rich curriculum is anything but basic.’
Best service Francis review could do is to outline that knowledge - the nuts and bolts - in detail.
‘A knowledge-rich curriculum is anything but basic.’
Best service Francis review could do is to outline that knowledge - the nuts and bolts - in detail.
Interesting and cogent piece by beckyfrancis.bsky.social , but I’d argue it’s not case that ‘higher attainers are well served’; in primary sector, certainly, many bright kids sit through a knowledge-light foundation curriculum. Awful lot of their time spent on PowerPoints and posters, too!
Becky Francis (@beckyfrancis.bsky.social)
Educationalist, sometime academic, committed to supporting social justice and evidence-led policymaking and practice in education.
Currently stepped away from leadership of the EEF to lead the indepe...
beckyfrancis.bsky.social
February 25, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Interesting and cogent piece by beckyfrancis.bsky.social , but I’d argue it’s not case that ‘higher attainers are well served’; in primary sector, certainly, many bright kids sit through a knowledge-light foundation curriculum. Awful lot of their time spent on PowerPoints and posters, too!
Reposted by Nick Hitchen
In a school where the behaviour culture is strong and behaviour leadership is everywhere, a good teacher can be an excellent teacher. In a school where it's absent, a good teacher will have to fight just to remain good, and it will probably burn them out in the process.
February 18, 2025 at 8:08 PM
In a school where the behaviour culture is strong and behaviour leadership is everywhere, a good teacher can be an excellent teacher. In a school where it's absent, a good teacher will have to fight just to remain good, and it will probably burn them out in the process.
Reposted by Nick Hitchen
I'm off to Flanders to visit primary schools and discuss their work on curriculum, so a reminder of this paper which reports some very promising findings on the value of a knowledge-rich curriculum in primary: edworkingpapers.com/ai23-755
A Kindergarten Lottery Evaluation of Core Knowledge Charter Schools: Should Building General Knowledge Have a Central Role in Educational and Social Science Research and Policy?
The Core Knowledge curriculum is a K-8 curriculum focused on building students General Knowledge about the world they live in that is hypothesized to increase reading comprehension and Reading/English...
edworkingpapers.com
February 19, 2025 at 9:04 PM
I'm off to Flanders to visit primary schools and discuss their work on curriculum, so a reminder of this paper which reports some very promising findings on the value of a knowledge-rich curriculum in primary: edworkingpapers.com/ai23-755
Reposted by Nick Hitchen
Seen this at play already. No, you don't need someone who training 3 frameworks ago to translate what's already there. No training has happened within ofsted. They are making it up.
And while I'm here, if you need help with your SEF, I'll help for free and others will too.
And while I'm here, if you need help with your SEF, I'll help for free and others will too.
The new Ofsted framework could lead to an “army of expensive consultants” and “how-to guides” as schools try to adapt to the new expectations, @headsroundtable.bsky.social has warned the inspectorate.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Ofsted framework will lead to 'army of expensive consultants'
The Headteachers' Roundtable has also expressed concerns that inclusion and SEND are 'afterthoughts' in Ofsted's proposed inspection framework
www.tes.com
February 14, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Seen this at play already. No, you don't need someone who training 3 frameworks ago to translate what's already there. No training has happened within ofsted. They are making it up.
And while I'm here, if you need help with your SEF, I'll help for free and others will too.
And while I'm here, if you need help with your SEF, I'll help for free and others will too.
In my experience, (a) most successful heads are not particularly charismatic & (b) those that are often have feet of clay. For example, worked under one who said ‘Curriculum doesn’t matter: just download anything. Don’t waste time on it’!
"I’ve definitely known heads who appeared to take themselves far too seriously, to be rather pompous & to stand on their dignity. I knew that wasn’t the kind of head I wanted to be." My new blog post this week: jillberry102.blog/2025/02/04/c...
Charisma? Gravitas? Or ‘Presence’?
I recently enjoyed this short (6 minute) podcast from Bennie Kara on the subject of ‘Charisma’. I agree with Bennie that ‘charisma’ isn’t necessarily something we should see as…
jillberry102.blog
February 10, 2025 at 9:22 AM
In my experience, (a) most successful heads are not particularly charismatic & (b) those that are often have feet of clay. For example, worked under one who said ‘Curriculum doesn’t matter: just download anything. Don’t waste time on it’!
Reposted by Nick Hitchen
So counter-intuitive to think anyone learns anything in smooth steps; we go forward…we go back…but the tide eventually comes in…
Far better: focus assessment on knowledge. Do they know and remember what you’ve taught? And junk the ‘expected standard for y4 history’ nonsense.
Far better: focus assessment on knowledge. Do they know and remember what you’ve taught? And junk the ‘expected standard for y4 history’ nonsense.
New from me: Locked into the Progress Mindset
In many schools, progression through school is seen as a series of discrete steps within each school year. How widespread is this Progress Mindset?
Please read, comment and repost!
In many schools, progression through school is seen as a series of discrete steps within each school year. How widespread is this Progress Mindset?
Please read, comment and repost!
Locked into the Progress Mindset - Insight Inform
There is no requirement for assessment systems to be built on a progress mindset, however, and every reason to think that there are more effective ways of monitoring students as they move through…
buff.ly
February 7, 2025 at 6:02 PM
So counter-intuitive to think anyone learns anything in smooth steps; we go forward…we go back…but the tide eventually comes in…
Far better: focus assessment on knowledge. Do they know and remember what you’ve taught? And junk the ‘expected standard for y4 history’ nonsense.
Far better: focus assessment on knowledge. Do they know and remember what you’ve taught? And junk the ‘expected standard for y4 history’ nonsense.
Reposted by Nick Hitchen
📢 We're hiring a PRIMARY SPECIALIST (part-time or full-time; we're flexible)!
If you have a background in primary teaching and ❤️ retrieval practice then please do apply here ⬇️
uk.indeed.com/m/viewjob?jk...
Email [email protected] if you have questions.
If you have a background in primary teaching and ❤️ retrieval practice then please do apply here ⬇️
uk.indeed.com/m/viewjob?jk...
Email [email protected] if you have questions.
https://uk.indeed.com/job/primary-sp…
January 3, 2025 at 7:07 PM
📢 We're hiring a PRIMARY SPECIALIST (part-time or full-time; we're flexible)!
If you have a background in primary teaching and ❤️ retrieval practice then please do apply here ⬇️
uk.indeed.com/m/viewjob?jk...
Email [email protected] if you have questions.
If you have a background in primary teaching and ❤️ retrieval practice then please do apply here ⬇️
uk.indeed.com/m/viewjob?jk...
Email [email protected] if you have questions.