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Samantha Booth

@samanthajbooth.bsky.social

2.6K followers 200 following 51 posts

Award-winning chief reporter @schoolsweek.bsky.social‬ • mainly investigating SEND, mental health, exams • mental health 1st aider • Sam is fine • Press Awards specialist journalist of the year 2025

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Samantha Booth @samanthajbooth.bsky.social · May 22

Finding this hard to believe really, very honoured.

Thanks so much to everyone who has trusted me over the past few years. SEND support is such a huge issue and glad it’s being recognised.

Normal reporting service resumes when I’m back at my desk later this year

John Dickens @johndickenssw.bsky.social · May 22

Our most amazing chief reporter @samanthajbooth.bsky.social HAS WON the specialist journalist of the year at the Press Awards

A truly phenomenal achievement. She beat off journalists reporting on war with her *amazing* journalism exposing the SEND crisis

So well deserved

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Reposted by Samantha Booth

Samantha Booth @samanthajbooth.bsky.social · 4d

On Saturday we’ll be taking part in the Ribbon Run in memory of our nephew Harry.

He was sadly too poorly to make it earthside in 2018 and the @sandscharity.bsky.social was a huge support. We’d be so grateful as a family if you’re able to donate

fundraising.sands.org.uk/fundraisers/...

We're taking part in Ribbon Run to help save babies' lives.

I'm raising money for a cause close to my heart and would love your support.

fundraising.sands.org.uk

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Samantha Booth @samanthajbooth.bsky.social · 4d

We're taking part in Ribbon Run to help save babies' lives.

I'm raising money for a cause close to my heart and would love your support.

fundraising.sands.org.uk

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Reposted by Samantha Booth

The Observer @theobserveruk.bsky.social · 15d

Following Trump's comments blaming expectant mothers who take Tylenol for autism in their children, Lucy Jones asks if epidurals and caesareans will be next.

Read more:
https://bit.ly/4nIKxCA

First they came for the paracetamol – will epidurals and ...

Blaming expectant mothers who take Tylenol for autism in their children shows exactly how little Donald Trump cares for science – or women

bit.ly

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Reposted by Samantha Booth

Freddie Whittaker @fcdwhittaker.bsky.social · 16d

Scoop: Mandatory reading test for year 8s (age 13) incoming in the schools white paper, due out this autumn

DfE and Ofsted will have access to school results, but data will only be reported nationally and we understand it won't prompt intervention/early inspection

Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 16d

Exclusive: The government plans to introduce a mandatory reading test for year 8 pupils in its upcoming schools white paper, amid fears poorer children are disengaging in the early years of secondary school

schoolsweek.co.uk/year-8s-to-s...

White paper to usher in year 8 reading test

Move to ensure poorer pupils are not shut off from wider curriculum

schoolsweek.co.uk

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Samantha Booth @samanthajbooth.bsky.social · 17d

Just a reminder of what a women’s body goes through when pregnant…

‘The research, by Duke University, also showed pregnant women were endurance specialists, living at nearly the limit of what the human body can cope with.’

www.bbc.com/news/health-...

Ultimate limit of human endurance found

Scientists studied elite events, including a 3,000 mile run and the Tour de France.

www.bbc.com

Samantha Booth @samanthajbooth.bsky.social · 17d

‘Toughing out’ a fever when pregnant can be harmful to you and the baby?! I hope that’s common knowledge.
Also I really feel for parents of children with autism today - the inference that they need to be ‘fixed’ or ‘prevented’ is just horrendous

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Samantha Booth @samanthajbooth.bsky.social · 17d

Like genuinely, how did he get here? This claim is so debunked, how is this announcement anything but further trying to control women’s bodies and ableism?

The Guardian @theguardian.com · 18d

Trump rails against Tylenol but autism claims not supported by science

President’s announcement latest move in campaign that seeks to valorize the ‘natural’ – often at women’s expense

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Samantha Booth

The Breastfeeding Network UK @bfn-uk.bsky.social · 18d

In light of recent news, we'd like to highlight that the MHRA has confirmed that taking paracetamol during pregnancy remains safe and there is no evidence that it causes autism in children.

buff.ly/MQGedTS

If you're unsure about taking any medication, talk to your GP, health visitor, or midwife.

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Samantha Booth @samanthajbooth.bsky.social · 29d

Haha yes we will try anything to make it go away!

Samantha Booth @samanthajbooth.bsky.social · 29d

‘Ah yes you’ve just sat on dynamite/ had major abdominal surgery, please come and sit on this cold hard floor and breastfeed your baby while doing so’ .. oh and then get up off that floor with knees that may snap at any minute

Samantha Booth @samanthajbooth.bsky.social · 29d

With a month of maternity leave to go, and finally feeling more like myself, I’ve been reflecting on… how normalised it is you’re supposed to just sit on the floor at playgroups and classes when you’re a few weeks/months postpartum?! I was in the fog then but looking back it’s madness

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Samantha Booth @samanthajbooth.bsky.social · Sep 6

Yes, we’ve seen this film before… under the last government

Special Needs Jungle @spcialndsjungle.bsky.social · Sep 6

Former Camden Council leader, Georgia Gould MP, has replaced Catherine McKinnell as Schools Minister after the resignation of Ms McKinnell. Right on cue for a SEND minister, just before a massive reform.
schoolsweek.co.uk/reshuffle-...

Georgia Gould appointed minister as Catherine McKinnell resigns

Newcastle MP says she was offered another role but will return to the backbenches

schoolsweek.co.uk

Reposted by Samantha Booth

Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · Sep 6

Breaking: Former council leader Georgia Gould has been appointed education minister, with ex-schools minister Catherine McKinnell departing during Sir Keir Starmer’s front bench reshuffle

schoolsweek.co.uk/reshuffle-ge...

Georgia Gould appointed minister as Catherine McKinnell resigns

Newcastle MP says she was offered another role but will return to the backbenches

schoolsweek.co.uk

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Reposted by Samantha Booth

Jessica Elgot @jessicaelgot.bsky.social · Sep 3

This piece struck a chord with me. When I was pregnant the Instagram algorithm served me an intense number of stories on miscarriage, children disabled by traumatic births and mothers and children dying of cancer. Something is going wrong when it targets like that www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

‘I felt doomed’: social media guessed I was pregnant – and my feed soon grew horrifying

The algorithm knew I was expecting before I had had a chance to tell my family, friends or GP. At first, I was served up joyful videos. Then the tone became much darker ...

www.theguardian.com

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Samantha Booth @samanthajbooth.bsky.social · Sep 3

What's his evidence for this inflammatory claim? Can't see any reference to it in the story...

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

Send system 'hijacked' by parents, Reform UK's Richard Tice says

The Reform UK deputy leader says some children are receiving Send provision who do not need it.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Samantha Booth @samanthajbooth.bsky.social · Aug 26

2025 is complete then. X

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

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce engaged

Superstar pop singer announces on Instagram that she will marry her NFL star partner.

www.bbc.co.uk

Samantha Booth @samanthajbooth.bsky.social · Aug 19

Next week I'll be taking a break from playing my daughter 'Shake It Off' on repeat to get back to the Schools Week news desk for a few days.

If you're free for a well needed catch-up on Tuesday or Wednesday, just drop me a message.

In the meantime, here's a very delicious baby leg.

Samantha Booth @samanthajbooth.bsky.social · Jul 7

The SEND reforms were always going to be tricky, but politically this is what Labour are now up against

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Samantha Booth @samanthajbooth.bsky.social · Jul 1

I’ll be at the Festival of Education on Friday (with my baby daughter in tow!) if anyone is around and wants to catch up / hug the baby - just drop me a DM

Samantha Booth @samanthajbooth.bsky.social · Jun 12

Some better breastfeeding news after *that* opinion earlier this week 🧐

Samantha Booth @samanthajbooth.bsky.social · Jun 12

Shout out to the @royalalberthall.bsky.social - I emailed ahead of Sophie EB gig tonight asking if I can bring expressed breast milk in.

They then offered to store in the fridge for me during the show meaning it doesn’t go to waste. Much respect

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Reposted by Samantha Booth

Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · Jun 6

SENCos will be central to plans to make mainstream schools more inclusive. But they're burning out. Schools Week investigates ...

schoolsweek.co.uk/burnt-out-an...

‘Burnt out': The staff on the SEND crisis frontline

SENCos will be central to plans to make mainstream schools more inclusive. But they're burning out

schoolsweek.co.uk

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Samantha Booth @samanthajbooth.bsky.social · May 22

Thanks so much, Ian and to you for all the campaigning you’ve done on the issue

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Samantha Booth @samanthajbooth.bsky.social · May 22

Thanks v much Dan!

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Samantha Booth @samanthajbooth.bsky.social · May 22

Thanks, Sam! Lovely to hear from you, hope all is well x

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