Richard Elam
@verandathought.bsky.social
Part-time Deputy Head in one northern primary school.
Safeguarding Governor in another.
Thursdays are just for me and my little one.
That guy who used to work in Seychelles.
Starting a 24th year working in schools - TA, teacher, SLT, Deputy, Governor...
Safeguarding Governor in another.
Thursdays are just for me and my little one.
That guy who used to work in Seychelles.
Starting a 24th year working in schools - TA, teacher, SLT, Deputy, Governor...
Some days I think going part time was the best work decision I ever had.
Other days, I know it was.
Other days, I know it was.
November 6, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Some days I think going part time was the best work decision I ever had.
Other days, I know it was.
Other days, I know it was.
Led an assembly on ID this week and I thought I'd begin by showing all the various ID I carry in my wallet.
Bank card... Driving licence... Donor card... Library card... Gym card...
“Gym!?" pipes up one 5 year old, “You go to a gym?”
Bank card... Driving licence... Donor card... Library card... Gym card...
“Gym!?" pipes up one 5 year old, “You go to a gym?”
a dog is sticking its head out of a dog door on a door mat .
ALT: a dog is sticking its head out of a dog door on a door mat .
media.tenor.com
October 25, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Led an assembly on ID this week and I thought I'd begin by showing all the various ID I carry in my wallet.
Bank card... Driving licence... Donor card... Library card... Gym card...
“Gym!?" pipes up one 5 year old, “You go to a gym?”
Bank card... Driving licence... Donor card... Library card... Gym card...
“Gym!?" pipes up one 5 year old, “You go to a gym?”
Took a Y5 class to the National Media Museum today...
👦🏼 Sir, sir, sir. What's that weird thing in this display? It's well shiny. What is it?
👨🏼🏫 That, young man, is... a compact disc.
👦🏼 Sir, sir, sir. What's that weird thing in this display? It's well shiny. What is it?
👨🏼🏫 That, young man, is... a compact disc.
a man sitting on a couch says we are so old while drinking from a mug
ALT: a man sitting on a couch says we are so old while drinking from a mug
media.tenor.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Took a Y5 class to the National Media Museum today...
👦🏼 Sir, sir, sir. What's that weird thing in this display? It's well shiny. What is it?
👨🏼🏫 That, young man, is... a compact disc.
👦🏼 Sir, sir, sir. What's that weird thing in this display? It's well shiny. What is it?
👨🏼🏫 That, young man, is... a compact disc.
@mr-n-wood.bsky.social How's the training going?
You ready for a *checks the article* couch to 278km yet? 😱
www.irunfar.com/sarah-webste...
You ready for a *checks the article* couch to 278km yet? 😱
www.irunfar.com/sarah-webste...
Calculated Pacing: An Interview With Sarah Webster on Her 24-Hour World Record
An interview with Sarah Webster after her 24-hour world record, set at the 2025 IAU 24-Hour World Championships in Albi, France.
www.irunfar.com
October 21, 2025 at 9:35 PM
@mr-n-wood.bsky.social How's the training going?
You ready for a *checks the article* couch to 278km yet? 😱
www.irunfar.com/sarah-webste...
You ready for a *checks the article* couch to 278km yet? 😱
www.irunfar.com/sarah-webste...
"Daddy!! I do your work!"
Sure mate, after staring at the screen all day, you'll probably do a better job answering these NPQ questions anyway.
Sure mate, after staring at the screen all day, you'll probably do a better job answering these NPQ questions anyway.
September 14, 2025 at 5:46 PM
"Daddy!! I do your work!"
Sure mate, after staring at the screen all day, you'll probably do a better job answering these NPQ questions anyway.
Sure mate, after staring at the screen all day, you'll probably do a better job answering these NPQ questions anyway.
Reposted by Richard Elam
I used to be quite an ordinary chap, who had a quite ordinary brain;
But now with a toddler, endlessly I'm forced, to read Zog again and again...
But now with a toddler, endlessly I'm forced, to read Zog again and again...
a cartoon character standing in the middle of a forest with trees in the background
ALT: a cartoon character standing in the middle of a forest with trees in the background
media.tenor.com
September 13, 2025 at 1:10 PM
I used to be quite an ordinary chap, who had a quite ordinary brain;
But now with a toddler, endlessly I'm forced, to read Zog again and again...
But now with a toddler, endlessly I'm forced, to read Zog again and again...
I used to be quite an ordinary chap, who had a quite ordinary brain;
But now with a toddler, endlessly I'm forced, to read Zog again and again...
But now with a toddler, endlessly I'm forced, to read Zog again and again...
a cartoon character standing in the middle of a forest with trees in the background
ALT: a cartoon character standing in the middle of a forest with trees in the background
media.tenor.com
September 13, 2025 at 1:10 PM
I used to be quite an ordinary chap, who had a quite ordinary brain;
But now with a toddler, endlessly I'm forced, to read Zog again and again...
But now with a toddler, endlessly I'm forced, to read Zog again and again...
Saw this and chuckled; then thought...
The World Cup lasts 4 weeks.
Fathers in the UK get 2 weeks of statutory leave.
So the situation in the UK is that a football tournament lasts longer than the time a dad is given to bond with his newborn child and support his family.
The World Cup lasts 4 weeks.
Fathers in the UK get 2 weeks of statutory leave.
So the situation in the UK is that a football tournament lasts longer than the time a dad is given to bond with his newborn child and support his family.
September 6, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Saw this and chuckled; then thought...
The World Cup lasts 4 weeks.
Fathers in the UK get 2 weeks of statutory leave.
So the situation in the UK is that a football tournament lasts longer than the time a dad is given to bond with his newborn child and support his family.
The World Cup lasts 4 weeks.
Fathers in the UK get 2 weeks of statutory leave.
So the situation in the UK is that a football tournament lasts longer than the time a dad is given to bond with his newborn child and support his family.
@teachertapp.bsky.social I'd love to know the difference being a parent makes to this.
My answer is *very* different now to what it would have been before the little terror arrived on the scene.
My answer is *very* different now to what it would have been before the little terror arrived on the scene.
August 14, 2025 at 4:59 PM
@teachertapp.bsky.social I'd love to know the difference being a parent makes to this.
My answer is *very* different now to what it would have been before the little terror arrived on the scene.
My answer is *very* different now to what it would have been before the little terror arrived on the scene.
Reposted by Richard Elam
The biggest killer of young people in the UK... suicide.
I'm entering the Great North Run to raise funds for PAPYRUS, helping them to prevent suicides in young people and promote positive mental health.
All & any donations gratefully received.
ajbellgreatnorthrun2025.enthuse.com/pf/richard-e...
I'm entering the Great North Run to raise funds for PAPYRUS, helping them to prevent suicides in young people and promote positive mental health.
All & any donations gratefully received.
ajbellgreatnorthrun2025.enthuse.com/pf/richard-e...
Richard's page
About us 60,000 determined and dedicated runners make the AJ Bell Great North Run the World’s biggest and best half marathon – famous for its warm North East welcome, unbeatable atmosphere and the mil
ajbellgreatnorthrun2025.enthuse.com
August 10, 2025 at 6:58 PM
The biggest killer of young people in the UK... suicide.
I'm entering the Great North Run to raise funds for PAPYRUS, helping them to prevent suicides in young people and promote positive mental health.
All & any donations gratefully received.
ajbellgreatnorthrun2025.enthuse.com/pf/richard-e...
I'm entering the Great North Run to raise funds for PAPYRUS, helping them to prevent suicides in young people and promote positive mental health.
All & any donations gratefully received.
ajbellgreatnorthrun2025.enthuse.com/pf/richard-e...
The biggest killer of young people in the UK... suicide.
I'm entering the Great North Run to raise funds for PAPYRUS, helping them to prevent suicides in young people and promote positive mental health.
All & any donations gratefully received.
ajbellgreatnorthrun2025.enthuse.com/pf/richard-e...
I'm entering the Great North Run to raise funds for PAPYRUS, helping them to prevent suicides in young people and promote positive mental health.
All & any donations gratefully received.
ajbellgreatnorthrun2025.enthuse.com/pf/richard-e...
Richard's page
About us 60,000 determined and dedicated runners make the AJ Bell Great North Run the World’s biggest and best half marathon – famous for its warm North East welcome, unbeatable atmosphere and the mil
ajbellgreatnorthrun2025.enthuse.com
August 10, 2025 at 6:58 PM
The biggest killer of young people in the UK... suicide.
I'm entering the Great North Run to raise funds for PAPYRUS, helping them to prevent suicides in young people and promote positive mental health.
All & any donations gratefully received.
ajbellgreatnorthrun2025.enthuse.com/pf/richard-e...
I'm entering the Great North Run to raise funds for PAPYRUS, helping them to prevent suicides in young people and promote positive mental health.
All & any donations gratefully received.
ajbellgreatnorthrun2025.enthuse.com/pf/richard-e...
Sod cognitive load theory, pedagogical know how, Vygotsky, Piaget, and Maslow.
This.
The ability to detach your expressions from your emotions is the essential element in any teacher's armoury.
This.
The ability to detach your expressions from your emotions is the essential element in any teacher's armoury.
Incredible work. This bit made me snort-laugh. An essential skill for anyone.
August 9, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Sod cognitive load theory, pedagogical know how, Vygotsky, Piaget, and Maslow.
This.
The ability to detach your expressions from your emotions is the essential element in any teacher's armoury.
This.
The ability to detach your expressions from your emotions is the essential element in any teacher's armoury.
Pasty faced Northerner who usually holidays in the Highlands Of Scotland asking for help!
🥵🥵🥵
🥵🥵🥵
August 8, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Pasty faced Northerner who usually holidays in the Highlands Of Scotland asking for help!
🥵🥵🥵
🥵🥵🥵
Reposted by Richard Elam
"A.i." doesn't empower anyone. It strips them of belief in themselves and the power of their own minds and hands and abilities and stories.
EVERY KID CAN DRAW. EVERY KID CAN TELL STORIES AND MAKE COMICS.
Fuck "A.i." for telling kids lies and making them less-than.
EVERY KID CAN DRAW. EVERY KID CAN TELL STORIES AND MAKE COMICS.
Fuck "A.i." for telling kids lies and making them less-than.
August 7, 2025 at 5:46 PM
"A.i." doesn't empower anyone. It strips them of belief in themselves and the power of their own minds and hands and abilities and stories.
EVERY KID CAN DRAW. EVERY KID CAN TELL STORIES AND MAKE COMICS.
Fuck "A.i." for telling kids lies and making them less-than.
EVERY KID CAN DRAW. EVERY KID CAN TELL STORIES AND MAKE COMICS.
Fuck "A.i." for telling kids lies and making them less-than.
I don't think the French hold much regard for Spanish wine.
At £1.20 a bottle, I'm prepared to take one for the team.
At £1.20 a bottle, I'm prepared to take one for the team.
August 5, 2025 at 1:07 PM
I don't think the French hold much regard for Spanish wine.
At £1.20 a bottle, I'm prepared to take one for the team.
At £1.20 a bottle, I'm prepared to take one for the team.
Reposted by Richard Elam
“We didn’t get smart by sitting still or memorizing lists. We got smart by exploring the world, spotting patterns, making predictions, and adjusting course when we were wrong. That’s how our neural architecture was built…” www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/curi...
Born Smart or Built Smart? The Truth About Intelligence and Effort
What if the truth about IQ was that it wasn’t a number but a moving target? Here's how your habits either sharpen or sabotage your mind, and what to do about it.
www.psychologytoday.com
August 5, 2025 at 4:54 AM
“We didn’t get smart by sitting still or memorizing lists. We got smart by exploring the world, spotting patterns, making predictions, and adjusting course when we were wrong. That’s how our neural architecture was built…” www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/curi...
@teachertapp.bsky.social
Does it count that two girls in a previous class were cousins with identical twin mothers... and no one had told me!!!
Cut to five mins into parents evening and, "I'm glad my niece is doing so well, but how's my daughter doing?"
Does it count that two girls in a previous class were cousins with identical twin mothers... and no one had told me!!!
Cut to five mins into parents evening and, "I'm glad my niece is doing so well, but how's my daughter doing?"
August 4, 2025 at 2:58 PM
@teachertapp.bsky.social
Does it count that two girls in a previous class were cousins with identical twin mothers... and no one had told me!!!
Cut to five mins into parents evening and, "I'm glad my niece is doing so well, but how's my daughter doing?"
Does it count that two girls in a previous class were cousins with identical twin mothers... and no one had told me!!!
Cut to five mins into parents evening and, "I'm glad my niece is doing so well, but how's my daughter doing?"
No, where's your head at?
July 13, 2025 at 7:41 PM
No, where's your head at?
"Teach a lesson"
But where @teachertapp.bsky.social?
Very different asking an applicant to teach a random lesson to an unknown class compared to visiting them in their own school, teaching their class.
But where @teachertapp.bsky.social?
Very different asking an applicant to teach a random lesson to an unknown class compared to visiting them in their own school, teaching their class.
June 29, 2025 at 3:00 PM
"Teach a lesson"
But where @teachertapp.bsky.social?
Very different asking an applicant to teach a random lesson to an unknown class compared to visiting them in their own school, teaching their class.
But where @teachertapp.bsky.social?
Very different asking an applicant to teach a random lesson to an unknown class compared to visiting them in their own school, teaching their class.
Reposted by Richard Elam
🧵 One of the biggest myths in education since I started teaching in 2010 is this:
The knowledge-rich curriculum
The myth is that knowing more will improve the quality of children's lives.
It's built on the lie that knowledge = grades = good job = happiness.
It's a lie.
The knowledge-rich curriculum
The myth is that knowing more will improve the quality of children's lives.
It's built on the lie that knowledge = grades = good job = happiness.
It's a lie.
June 8, 2025 at 8:45 PM
🧵 One of the biggest myths in education since I started teaching in 2010 is this:
The knowledge-rich curriculum
The myth is that knowing more will improve the quality of children's lives.
It's built on the lie that knowledge = grades = good job = happiness.
It's a lie.
The knowledge-rich curriculum
The myth is that knowing more will improve the quality of children's lives.
It's built on the lie that knowledge = grades = good job = happiness.
It's a lie.
Favourite place.
Favourite person.
🩵🤍🩷
Favourite person.
🩵🤍🩷
May 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Favourite place.
Favourite person.
🩵🤍🩷
Favourite person.
🩵🤍🩷
When Mummy has heard the word, “No!” once too often.
May 26, 2025 at 6:50 PM
When Mummy has heard the word, “No!” once too often.
Current view. Happy place.
May 25, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Current view. Happy place.
Holiday!!
I know October and November can be a long ol' drag, but nothing beats two weeks off in May and June.
I know October and November can be a long ol' drag, but nothing beats two weeks off in May and June.
a blue and white striped umbrella with the words holidaymode on written around it
ALT: a blue and white striped umbrella with the words holidaymode on written around it
media.tenor.com
May 22, 2025 at 6:41 AM
Holiday!!
I know October and November can be a long ol' drag, but nothing beats two weeks off in May and June.
I know October and November can be a long ol' drag, but nothing beats two weeks off in May and June.
Reposted by Richard Elam
Bluesky, prove me wrong - that there are actually people on this site!
The next Wellbeing In The Primary Classroom CPD day is in London on Friday 13th June.
Learn practical strategies for improving wellbeing in schools.
Only a few places left!
More info: www.teachappy.co.uk/teachappy-cpd-day
The next Wellbeing In The Primary Classroom CPD day is in London on Friday 13th June.
Learn practical strategies for improving wellbeing in schools.
Only a few places left!
More info: www.teachappy.co.uk/teachappy-cpd-day
May 20, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Bluesky, prove me wrong - that there are actually people on this site!
The next Wellbeing In The Primary Classroom CPD day is in London on Friday 13th June.
Learn practical strategies for improving wellbeing in schools.
Only a few places left!
More info: www.teachappy.co.uk/teachappy-cpd-day
The next Wellbeing In The Primary Classroom CPD day is in London on Friday 13th June.
Learn practical strategies for improving wellbeing in schools.
Only a few places left!
More info: www.teachappy.co.uk/teachappy-cpd-day