Katie Finlayson
@learnwhatyoulive.bsky.social
Home educator, data nerd, home ed exams specialist, Chair of Governors and one time computer programmer. Expect eclectic thoughts.
Reposted by Katie Finlayson
There’s actually quite a complicated issue here about who does and should have access to information at the point where it is investigatory and nothing has been firmly evidenced/decided either way, and it’s not at all clear how this legislative proposal would actually work in practice.
Investigation: Dozens of councils do not hold data on how many home-educated children are subject to child protection enquiries – suggesting many are underprepared for new duties to protect vulnerable children
schoolsweek.co.uk/safeguarding...
schoolsweek.co.uk/safeguarding...
Safeguarding risk data missing from home education records
Dozens of LAs hold no data on at-home kids potentially at risk, spelling trouble for new duties
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 12:38 PM
There’s actually quite a complicated issue here about who does and should have access to information at the point where it is investigatory and nothing has been firmly evidenced/decided either way, and it’s not at all clear how this legislative proposal would actually work in practice.
Reposted by Katie Finlayson
It’s widely known (and, I think, pretty uncontroversial) that learning requires effort — specifically, if you don’t have to work at getting the knowledge, it won’t stick.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
Relying on ChatGPT to teach you about a topic leaves you with shallower knowledge than Googling and reading about it, according to new research that compared what more than 10,000 people knew after using one method or the other.
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
November 21, 2025 at 12:49 PM
It’s widely known (and, I think, pretty uncontroversial) that learning requires effort — specifically, if you don’t have to work at getting the knowledge, it won’t stick.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
I see this all the time about home ed things - just the lack of experience, leading to policies/legislation which really make no sense (and it’s understandable that they can’t know about everything, but not impossible to remedy).
And you think, if you have this so wrong, what about everything else?
And you think, if you have this so wrong, what about everything else?
the thing that scares me about Labour HE policy is that because I work in the sector I can see how absolutely insane it is, which makes me wonder just how terrible their policies are in all the other sectors I’m in less of a position to engage with critically out of lack of knowledge.
November 24, 2025 at 6:30 AM
I see this all the time about home ed things - just the lack of experience, leading to policies/legislation which really make no sense (and it’s understandable that they can’t know about everything, but not impossible to remedy).
And you think, if you have this so wrong, what about everything else?
And you think, if you have this so wrong, what about everything else?
Reposted by Katie Finlayson
November 24, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Reposted by Katie Finlayson
This isn’t true! Regulated fares have always been set by the government, regardless of operator!
Train fares frozen: not happened for decades.
Bringing rail back into public ownership means we can take action on fares.
Bringing rail back into public ownership means we can take action on fares.
November 23, 2025 at 12:07 PM
This isn’t true! Regulated fares have always been set by the government, regardless of operator!
There’s actually quite a complicated issue here about who does and should have access to information at the point where it is investigatory and nothing has been firmly evidenced/decided either way, and it’s not at all clear how this legislative proposal would actually work in practice.
Investigation: Dozens of councils do not hold data on how many home-educated children are subject to child protection enquiries – suggesting many are underprepared for new duties to protect vulnerable children
schoolsweek.co.uk/safeguarding...
schoolsweek.co.uk/safeguarding...
Safeguarding risk data missing from home education records
Dozens of LAs hold no data on at-home kids potentially at risk, spelling trouble for new duties
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 12:38 PM
There’s actually quite a complicated issue here about who does and should have access to information at the point where it is investigatory and nothing has been firmly evidenced/decided either way, and it’s not at all clear how this legislative proposal would actually work in practice.
College taster day for child 3. Apparently Maths was the most fun (I also heard this from a random girl walking past, so not just my child!)
November 22, 2025 at 4:16 PM
College taster day for child 3. Apparently Maths was the most fun (I also heard this from a random girl walking past, so not just my child!)
Reposted by Katie Finlayson
Many factors at play:
• Housing crisis (people living with parents less likely to enter labour market)
• Rising anxiety & other mental health challenges (makes transition into work harder, esp in UK due to fears of losing benefits)
• Steep rise in youth minimum wage (less hiring of young people)
• Housing crisis (people living with parents less likely to enter labour market)
• Rising anxiety & other mental health challenges (makes transition into work harder, esp in UK due to fears of losing benefits)
• Steep rise in youth minimum wage (less hiring of young people)
November 20, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Many factors at play:
• Housing crisis (people living with parents less likely to enter labour market)
• Rising anxiety & other mental health challenges (makes transition into work harder, esp in UK due to fears of losing benefits)
• Steep rise in youth minimum wage (less hiring of young people)
• Housing crisis (people living with parents less likely to enter labour market)
• Rising anxiety & other mental health challenges (makes transition into work harder, esp in UK due to fears of losing benefits)
• Steep rise in youth minimum wage (less hiring of young people)
The moment has come - I now have four teenagers.
November 21, 2025 at 10:08 AM
The moment has come - I now have four teenagers.
Reposted by Katie Finlayson
During this cloudflare outage, let me supply you with this wisdom of the ages: “single point of failure” can be sung to the tune of “all the single ladies”
November 18, 2025 at 1:43 PM
During this cloudflare outage, let me supply you with this wisdom of the ages: “single point of failure” can be sung to the tune of “all the single ladies”
Reposted by Katie Finlayson
Thank you @schoolsweek.bsky.social for highlighting this - a really thorough and well researched article.
Exclusive: A surge in home education has left many families struggling to find places for their children to sit GCSEs, with some 'reduced to begging' as overwhelmed exam centres shut their doors
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/home-education-children-forced-to-travel-miles-to-sit-exams/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/home-education-children-forced-to-travel-miles-to-sit-exams/
November 14, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Thank you @schoolsweek.bsky.social for highlighting this - a really thorough and well researched article.
Love is… coming back from uni during reading week and playing the card game your little brother has invented. He’s made her a customised deck 😍
November 15, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Love is… coming back from uni during reading week and playing the card game your little brother has invented. He’s made her a customised deck 😍
Reposted by Katie Finlayson
1/2 This autumn must be one of the best we have seen for years. The colours have been incredible, turning a simple walk into a true feast for the senses. I couldn't resist following this carpet of glorious, crunchy orange leaves along Wenlock Edge, but the shot needed something extra. #Shropshire
November 14, 2025 at 8:02 AM
1/2 This autumn must be one of the best we have seen for years. The colours have been incredible, turning a simple walk into a true feast for the senses. I couldn't resist following this carpet of glorious, crunchy orange leaves along Wenlock Edge, but the shot needed something extra. #Shropshire
Thank you @schoolsweek.bsky.social for highlighting this - a really thorough and well researched article.
Exclusive: A surge in home education has left many families struggling to find places for their children to sit GCSEs, with some 'reduced to begging' as overwhelmed exam centres shut their doors
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/home-education-children-forced-to-travel-miles-to-sit-exams/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/home-education-children-forced-to-travel-miles-to-sit-exams/
November 14, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Thank you @schoolsweek.bsky.social for highlighting this - a really thorough and well researched article.
Reposted by Katie Finlayson
This is I think an underrated truth: being intelligent is I think primarily a matter of habit. Do you actually listen and try and take on board what you've heard or read before responding? Do you go 'okay, is that true?' about your own thoughts and prejudices? These are learnt, not innate.
and ultimately I think if you’re constantly saying stupid stuff then it just makes you stupid.
November 13, 2025 at 1:27 PM
This is I think an underrated truth: being intelligent is I think primarily a matter of habit. Do you actually listen and try and take on board what you've heard or read before responding? Do you go 'okay, is that true?' about your own thoughts and prejudices? These are learnt, not innate.
Reposted by Katie Finlayson
"A need for lots of adult interaction implies there are few economies of scale to be found in the care of babies and infants. By school age, an adult can oversee 20-30 children. At pre-school, they watch 12-15. In the best nurseries a carer looks after 2 or 3"
www.economist.com/finance-and-...
1/
www.economist.com/finance-and-...
1/
Universal child care can harm children
Its growing popularity in America is a concern
www.economist.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:56 AM
"A need for lots of adult interaction implies there are few economies of scale to be found in the care of babies and infants. By school age, an adult can oversee 20-30 children. At pre-school, they watch 12-15. In the best nurseries a carer looks after 2 or 3"
www.economist.com/finance-and-...
1/
www.economist.com/finance-and-...
1/
Reposted by Katie Finlayson
As noted, VPNs have legitimate and in many cases mandatory applications in IT security and everyday corporate life. This whole approach by the govt is painfully technically illiterate and a massive overreach.
November 13, 2025 at 4:35 AM
As noted, VPNs have legitimate and in many cases mandatory applications in IT security and everyday corporate life. This whole approach by the govt is painfully technically illiterate and a massive overreach.
Reposted by Katie Finlayson
❗Some schools are at 'breaking point' amid a widening gap between the schools with the most and fewest numbers of pupils with education, health and care plans, research warns
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-at-b...
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-at-b...
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 5:30 AM
❗Some schools are at 'breaking point' amid a widening gap between the schools with the most and fewest numbers of pupils with education, health and care plans, research warns
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-at-b...
schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-at-b...
Reposted by Katie Finlayson
I’m always bragging about my brilliant books on here so I probably ought to balance that by letting you know I got TWO rejection emails yesterday, one of which said my ideas were “too educational” and not “commercial” enough. You can help me prove them wrong by buying lots of my books.
November 12, 2025 at 7:27 AM
I’m always bragging about my brilliant books on here so I probably ought to balance that by letting you know I got TWO rejection emails yesterday, one of which said my ideas were “too educational” and not “commercial” enough. You can help me prove them wrong by buying lots of my books.
Reposted by Katie Finlayson
Of course. Yes this needs looking at.
Hearing more and more stories of exam centres overwhelmed with private candidates and considering cutting down or stopping their support. In a context of >3% of KS4 children EHE. This is very bad, and no-one is paying any attention.
@johndickenssw.bsky.social @jonsevers.bsky.social @tom-richmond.com
@johndickenssw.bsky.social @jonsevers.bsky.social @tom-richmond.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Of course. Yes this needs looking at.
Hearing more and more stories of exam centres overwhelmed with private candidates and considering cutting down or stopping their support. In a context of >3% of KS4 children EHE. This is very bad, and no-one is paying any attention.
@johndickenssw.bsky.social @jonsevers.bsky.social @tom-richmond.com
@johndickenssw.bsky.social @jonsevers.bsky.social @tom-richmond.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Hearing more and more stories of exam centres overwhelmed with private candidates and considering cutting down or stopping their support. In a context of >3% of KS4 children EHE. This is very bad, and no-one is paying any attention.
@johndickenssw.bsky.social @jonsevers.bsky.social @tom-richmond.com
@johndickenssw.bsky.social @jonsevers.bsky.social @tom-richmond.com
Reposted by Katie Finlayson
It's strange how quickly we've forgotten things like that. We were watching an old TOTP on BBC4 and they invited people to vote for best single at the Brit Awards - by sending a postcard. And lots of things seemed to involve cutting out coupons and sending off postal orders.
November 10, 2025 at 9:07 AM
It's strange how quickly we've forgotten things like that. We were watching an old TOTP on BBC4 and they invited people to vote for best single at the Brit Awards - by sending a postcard. And lots of things seemed to involve cutting out coupons and sending off postal orders.
In 1992 my dad was sent a telegram (delivered by the postie to our house in Telford) offering him a job in Tanzania. When I moved back alone in 1993, a letter took anywhere from 4 days to 4 weeks to arrive. By 1994 we were emailing (albeit dialup, so only when they had power to connect).
When I was a child my dad once sent me a telegram to wish me luck for a dance show because he was working overseas at the time. (I've still got it tucked away somewhere.) If you think about it, it's incredible how easy international communication has come on in a generation. Who remembers faxes? 🤷♀️😂
November 10, 2025 at 6:28 AM
In 1992 my dad was sent a telegram (delivered by the postie to our house in Telford) offering him a job in Tanzania. When I moved back alone in 1993, a letter took anywhere from 4 days to 4 weeks to arrive. By 1994 we were emailing (albeit dialup, so only when they had power to connect).
Reposted by Katie Finlayson
NEW POST: The privacy dangers for children and their families in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. Rose Arnold of campaign group Reclaim Rights for Children explains why they're concerned www.specialneedsjungle.com/p...
November 10, 2025 at 6:02 AM
NEW POST: The privacy dangers for children and their families in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. Rose Arnold of campaign group Reclaim Rights for Children explains why they're concerned www.specialneedsjungle.com/p...
Reposted by Katie Finlayson
The bigger questions for leaders:
Can we build a system that keeps rigour and wellbeing?
That judges learning by understanding, not exhaustion?
Can we build a system that keeps rigour and wellbeing?
That judges learning by understanding, not exhaustion?
November 7, 2025 at 8:19 AM
The bigger questions for leaders:
Can we build a system that keeps rigour and wellbeing?
That judges learning by understanding, not exhaustion?
Can we build a system that keeps rigour and wellbeing?
That judges learning by understanding, not exhaustion?