James McEnaney
@jamesmcenaney.bsky.social
Journalist and writer
Former English teacher & lecturer | Author of 'Class Rules: the Truth about Scottish Schools' & 'A Scottish Journey' | Fond of FOI, motorbikes, La Gomera, and all things education
www.jamesmcenaney.co.uk
Former English teacher & lecturer | Author of 'Class Rules: the Truth about Scottish Schools' & 'A Scottish Journey' | Fond of FOI, motorbikes, La Gomera, and all things education
www.jamesmcenaney.co.uk
Pinned
James McEnaney
@jamesmcenaney.bsky.social
· Sep 15
People like Charlie Kirk made women and girls less safe in schools
The murder of the far-right commentator has created a martyr for people seeking to radicalise boys and young men.
www.heraldscotland.com
I've seen far too many people either praising or at least sanitising Charlie Kirk following his murder, so I've written something about his actual impact for @heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/2546...
www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/2546...
Reposted by James McEnaney
Still can't quite believe that "I only said 'gas the Jews' in a non-hurtful way" was the strategy Nigel Farage opted to go for
November 24, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Still can't quite believe that "I only said 'gas the Jews' in a non-hurtful way" was the strategy Nigel Farage opted to go for
This will be a waste of time and energy because the people using pyro in stadiums are arseholes who don't give a shit about others. Just ban them from stadiums for life and be done with it.
www.heraldscotland.com/sport/256479...
www.heraldscotland.com/sport/256479...
SPFL announce 'groundbreaking' Scottish football pyro programme
The SPFL have announced the Pyrotechnics Education Programme, an initiative which has been labelled as a first in European football.
www.heraldscotland.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:35 PM
This will be a waste of time and energy because the people using pyro in stadiums are arseholes who don't give a shit about others. Just ban them from stadiums for life and be done with it.
www.heraldscotland.com/sport/256479...
www.heraldscotland.com/sport/256479...
Reposted by James McEnaney
Twenty years since I had to sit and listen to David Miliband pretending that postponing council tax revaluation was a brave political decision, rather than a cowardly mistake.
These reports the Government could revalue council tax bands F, G and H don't make sense to me. Here's what could actually be going on:
November 25, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Twenty years since I had to sit and listen to David Miliband pretending that postponing council tax revaluation was a brave political decision, rather than a cowardly mistake.
Reposted by James McEnaney
if people are really giving out advice like this then making them thoroughly ashamed of themselves is a necessary act of self-preservation for our vocation, because the moment they become a majority it's time to pack it all up, game over
telling emerging writers that the only way to improve is ‘buy Final Draft/learn AI’ instead of ‘watch and read everything you can’ is… certainly a choice
like it’s the (paid-for) tools that’ll teach you what you want to say about the world and how to say it, not living in and experiencing it
like it’s the (paid-for) tools that’ll teach you what you want to say about the world and how to say it, not living in and experiencing it
November 25, 2025 at 9:36 AM
if people are really giving out advice like this then making them thoroughly ashamed of themselves is a necessary act of self-preservation for our vocation, because the moment they become a majority it's time to pack it all up, game over
Reposted by James McEnaney
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
First the anti-foreigner crowd went after hotels, and now they're going after schools, and people with a platform who refuse to call it out are guilty of appalling cowardice.
November 24, 2025 at 9:40 PM
First the anti-foreigner crowd went after hotels, and now they're going after schools, and people with a platform who refuse to call it out are guilty of appalling cowardice.
Reposted by James McEnaney
The irony, adults who clearly need adult learning complaining about adult learning being made available to adults who need and appreciate adult learning.
November 24, 2025 at 7:30 PM
The irony, adults who clearly need adult learning complaining about adult learning being made available to adults who need and appreciate adult learning.
The people involved in these protests are either racists or they're too stupid to know they're being manipulated by racists, and I don't see any good reason to pretend that's not so.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2564635...
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2564635...
Dalmarnock Primary protest as parents gather over migrant lessons
Furious parents are demanding a face-to-face meeting with education bosses after a protest over moves to hold English lessons for asylum seekers…
www.heraldscotland.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:59 PM
The people involved in these protests are either racists or they're too stupid to know they're being manipulated by racists, and I don't see any good reason to pretend that's not so.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2564635...
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2564635...
Reposted by James McEnaney
If you like classics/Greek mythology/ancient stuff/history or know someone who does, may I humbly recommend our book as a Christmas gift?
It's full of bite-size introductions to mythological characters and concepts and the money goes to a good cause!
www.workingclassicists.com/a-periodic-t...
It's full of bite-size introductions to mythological characters and concepts and the money goes to a good cause!
www.workingclassicists.com/a-periodic-t...
A Periodic Table of Greek Mythology — Working Classicists
Information on Working Classicists’ upcoming book: A Periodic Table of Greek Mythology
www.workingclassicists.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:31 PM
If you like classics/Greek mythology/ancient stuff/history or know someone who does, may I humbly recommend our book as a Christmas gift?
It's full of bite-size introductions to mythological characters and concepts and the money goes to a good cause!
www.workingclassicists.com/a-periodic-t...
It's full of bite-size introductions to mythological characters and concepts and the money goes to a good cause!
www.workingclassicists.com/a-periodic-t...
Whoever is advising Jenny Gilruth needs to ask themselves if they're in the right job, because this wildly cynical announcement about cutting contact time is going to backfire.
November 20, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Whoever is advising Jenny Gilruth needs to ask themselves if they're in the right job, because this wildly cynical announcement about cutting contact time is going to backfire.
Reposted by James McEnaney
REFERENDUM THE MORRA 😭❤️🏴
November 18, 2025 at 9:57 PM
REFERENDUM THE MORRA 😭❤️🏴
Reposted by James McEnaney
There has been plenty to dislike about his Labour government but going after asylum seekers in a desperate attempt to appease racists and attract reform voters is an evil thing to do.
November 17, 2025 at 5:52 PM
There has been plenty to dislike about his Labour government but going after asylum seekers in a desperate attempt to appease racists and attract reform voters is an evil thing to do.
Reposted by James McEnaney
People are probably calling Labour racist because Labour keep being racist. If they want to stop being called racist they should stop doing racist things.
November 17, 2025 at 10:14 AM
People are probably calling Labour racist because Labour keep being racist. If they want to stop being called racist they should stop doing racist things.
I, like everyone else not born yesterday, knew Starmer was going to be a disaster, but watching his party throw refugees under the Farage-branded bus in a desperate attempt to attract his supporters is horrendous.
And to make things worse, it's a politically inept move as well.
And to make things worse, it's a politically inept move as well.
November 17, 2025 at 10:18 AM
I, like everyone else not born yesterday, knew Starmer was going to be a disaster, but watching his party throw refugees under the Farage-branded bus in a desperate attempt to attract his supporters is horrendous.
And to make things worse, it's a politically inept move as well.
And to make things worse, it's a politically inept move as well.
The most deprived pupils are much more likely to have additional support needs.
So why are they also the least likely to get additional support for SQA exams?
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2561920...
So why are they also the least likely to get additional support for SQA exams?
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2561920...
November 16, 2025 at 12:51 PM
The most deprived pupils are much more likely to have additional support needs.
So why are they also the least likely to get additional support for SQA exams?
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2561920...
So why are they also the least likely to get additional support for SQA exams?
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2561920...
Reposted by James McEnaney
If the government really intends to seize jewellery and other valuables from refugees,
either
- it is staggeringly ignorant of the historical precedents
or
- it's aware of the precedents, and thinks, yeah, we'll have some of that.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
either
- it is staggeringly ignorant of the historical precedents
or
- it's aware of the precedents, and thinks, yeah, we'll have some of that.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
No 10 tells Labour MPs it expects support for tough new asylum policies
Some backbenchers already opposing planned immigration crackdown seen as ‘economically and culturally illiterate’
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:41 AM
If the government really intends to seize jewellery and other valuables from refugees,
either
- it is staggeringly ignorant of the historical precedents
or
- it's aware of the precedents, and thinks, yeah, we'll have some of that.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
either
- it is staggeringly ignorant of the historical precedents
or
- it's aware of the precedents, and thinks, yeah, we'll have some of that.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by James McEnaney
I wonder how many Labour MPs thought that this was the sort of thing they were signing up for when they applied to be parliamentary candidates.
If the government really intends to seize jewellery and other valuables from refugees,
either
- it is staggeringly ignorant of the historical precedents
or
- it's aware of the precedents, and thinks, yeah, we'll have some of that.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
either
- it is staggeringly ignorant of the historical precedents
or
- it's aware of the precedents, and thinks, yeah, we'll have some of that.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
No 10 tells Labour MPs it expects support for tough new asylum policies
Some backbenchers already opposing planned immigration crackdown seen as ‘economically and culturally illiterate’
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:47 AM
I wonder how many Labour MPs thought that this was the sort of thing they were signing up for when they applied to be parliamentary candidates.
Anyone from the Labour party defending this should be utterly ashamed of themselves.
And as for the Labour party, if they're so determined to see Nigel Farage win the next election, they could at least do us all the courtesy of saying so out loud.
And as for the Labour party, if they're so determined to see Nigel Farage win the next election, they could at least do us all the courtesy of saying so out loud.
To reiterate, this is about making life immeasurably more miserable and stressful for some of the most vulnerable people, in the almost certainly vain hope of winning over the votes of racists.
Anything more shabby and shameful is difficult to envisage.
Anything more shabby and shameful is difficult to envisage.
Asylum in UK to be made temporary under Home Secretary’s plans
Shabana Mahmood will lay out reforms modelled on the Danish system on Monday.
www.independent.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Anyone from the Labour party defending this should be utterly ashamed of themselves.
And as for the Labour party, if they're so determined to see Nigel Farage win the next election, they could at least do us all the courtesy of saying so out loud.
And as for the Labour party, if they're so determined to see Nigel Farage win the next election, they could at least do us all the courtesy of saying so out loud.
Reposted by James McEnaney
Finally got round to listening to @jamesmcenaney.bsky.social interview on #Scotcast. Listen in from 10:51 in. For anyone that has an opinion on #education #teachers or #TradeUnions they should listen very carefully as James has said everything that needs to be said.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Scotcast - PM plots and the promise stoking a teacher strike - BBC Sounds
Wes Streeting, ‘The Faithful’, and the gossip surrounding Starmer.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Finally got round to listening to @jamesmcenaney.bsky.social interview on #Scotcast. Listen in from 10:51 in. For anyone that has an opinion on #education #teachers or #TradeUnions they should listen very carefully as James has said everything that needs to be said.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Always nice to see the BBC pick up a story you've been covering for months and months, using details that you uncovered, without even a hint of an acknowledgement. 😮💨
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Concerns over plans to build new Lenzie school on toxic land
East Dunbartonshire Council is seeking to site the new Lenzie Academy on Whitegates Park.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Always nice to see the BBC pick up a story you've been covering for months and months, using details that you uncovered, without even a hint of an acknowledgement. 😮💨
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by James McEnaney
If you've ever wondered what it's like being a teacher in 2025 in Scotland, watch these 90 seconds. This is it, 100%.
Thanks @jamesmcenaney.bsky.social for saying it.
www.instagram.com/reel/DQ_2EIc...
Thanks @jamesmcenaney.bsky.social for saying it.
www.instagram.com/reel/DQ_2EIc...
BBC Scotland News on Instagram: "As Scotland's teachers prepare to vote on industrial action over their workload and the amount of time they actually spend in front of a class, former teacher James Mc...
2,299 likes, 67 comments - bbcscotnews on November 13, 2025: "As Scotland's teachers prepare to vote on industrial action over their workload and the amount of time they actually spend in front of a c...
www.instagram.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:36 PM
If you've ever wondered what it's like being a teacher in 2025 in Scotland, watch these 90 seconds. This is it, 100%.
Thanks @jamesmcenaney.bsky.social for saying it.
www.instagram.com/reel/DQ_2EIc...
Thanks @jamesmcenaney.bsky.social for saying it.
www.instagram.com/reel/DQ_2EIc...
Reposted by James McEnaney
This has always been been argument against our fiscal framework. You need some kind of debt rule but this kind of last minute flailing around is toxic for policy development.
I know it’s always like this. But one striking thing from the budget kite flying and kite pulling back in, is how major policy decisions are constantly being buffeted around by iterative forecast changes.
All feels a bit of a silly way to be making major economic policy & political decisions.
All feels a bit of a silly way to be making major economic policy & political decisions.
November 14, 2025 at 6:07 PM
This has always been been argument against our fiscal framework. You need some kind of debt rule but this kind of last minute flailing around is toxic for policy development.
Every single person who had anything to do with this should be sent to a fucking gulag for the rest of their lives.
November 14, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Every single person who had anything to do with this should be sent to a fucking gulag for the rest of their lives.
An absolute privilege to write this one 👇
'He taught me (and countless others) that disabled people can live full, meaningful and fun lives'
The campaigner changed the lives of thousands of people
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
@jamesmcenaney.bsky.social
The campaigner changed the lives of thousands of people
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
@jamesmcenaney.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 9:45 AM
An absolute privilege to write this one 👇