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Alex Thomson

@byebyepride.bsky.social

460 followers 160 following 17 posts

Prof of Modern Literature & Critical Theory | Head of School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures, University of Edinburgh | Deputy Chair, English Association @englishassociation.bsky.social

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Reposted by Alex Thomson

The English Association @englishassociation.bsky.social · 1h

An important piece written by @sarahmullin.bsky.social
valued member of our Secondary & Further Education Committee, on the seriously short-sighted decision to withdraw bursaries for ITE for English. We need MORE English teachers, not less.

Tes magazine @tesmagazine.bsky.social · 9h

‘English is not just a subject – it is the foundation on which all other subjects are built’: @sarahmullin.bsky.social warns of the wider impact of withdrawing bursaries for teacher training in English

The end of English ITT bursaries sends a worrying message

The withdrawal of teacher training bursaries for English risks undermining more than just the subject itself – and it comes at a critical time, warns Sarah Mullin

Alex Thomson @byebyepride.bsky.social · 1h

The shortage of English teachers has not been resolved - cuts in bursaries for trainees are a mistake, argues @sarahmullin.bsky.social @englishassociation.bsky.social

Tes magazine @tesmagazine.bsky.social · 9h

‘English is not just a subject – it is the foundation on which all other subjects are built’: @sarahmullin.bsky.social warns of the wider impact of withdrawing bursaries for teacher training in English

The end of English ITT bursaries sends a worrying message

The withdrawal of teacher training bursaries for English risks undermining more than just the subject itself – and it comes at a critical time, warns Sarah Mullin

Alex Thomson @byebyepride.bsky.social · 7d

Lots to look out for in 2025-6: and a privilege to work with these wonderful humans. @englishassociation.bsky.social @jennyrichards.bsky.social @draperel.bsky.social Dr Becky Fisher

The English Association @englishassociation.bsky.social · 7d

We enjoyed our brilliantly productive annual strategic planning day on Saturday! Stay tuned for all our exciting 2025-26 plans, including celebrations for our 125th anniversary 🤗💫
@jennyrichards.bsky.social @byebyepride.bsky.social @draperel.bsky.social and our CEO Dr Becky Fisher 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Photo of Jenny Richards, Elizabeth Draper, Alex Thomson and Becky Fisher

Alex Thomson @byebyepride.bsky.social · 10d

Good choice

Reposted by Alex Thomson

UCFL - University Council For Languages @ucflangs.bsky.social · 13d

21 November ILCS event on thinking strategically about the challenges faced by language educators.
Don't miss it, sign up now!
university-council-for-languages.org/2025/09/24/t...

Thinking Strategically: Challenges Facing Language Educators – ILCS

An online event with the ILCS focussing on issues faced by language educators will take place on 21st November 2025, featuring Megan Bowler (Oxford), Emma Cayley (Leeds and UCFL), and Charles Forsd…

university-council-for-languages.org

Alex Thomson @byebyepride.bsky.social · Aug 30

Wow! V impressed that those are still online.

Alex Thomson @byebyepride.bsky.social · Aug 30

I’m sure there’s a lesson from political discourse analysis here, and almost certainly a relevant chapter in Real Punks Don’t Wear Black

Alex Thomson @byebyepride.bsky.social · Aug 30

It makes sense that the term was pejorative in original formation but ended up giving definition to something more diverse and inchoate, which then sheltered further explorations, but all of which struggled to cast off the negative caricature implied in the first place.

Alex Thomson @byebyepride.bsky.social · Aug 30

Accidental Evolution of Rock n Roll (1997) as gateway drug; think I used an excerpt in a class on genre at Glasgow Uni c. 2002/3

Alex Thomson @byebyepride.bsky.social · Aug 30

Looking at ILX archives “what is the opposite of rockism - popism?” is being debated in late 2001 / early 2002 but poptimist/poptimism aren’t used until 2004. I feel like we were talking about this for years before 🤷‍♂️ As far back as the handbag piece for Franks APA - Lo Hot Sex Man and Eno Wig TM

Reposted by Alex Thomson

UCFL - University Council For Languages @ucflangs.bsky.social · Aug 23

The APPG Modern Languages has shared a Letter to The Times by Baroness Coussins, Co-chair of the APPG, in response to their recent leading article arguing falling languages uptake narrows young people's horizons (www.thetimes.com/comment/the-...)

Alex Thomson @byebyepride.bsky.social · Aug 23

An authoritative and experienced educator’s views on the English GCSE resit challenge for @draperel.bsky.social

Elizabeth Draper @draperel @draperel.bsky.social · Aug 23

Please read response below to GCSE resit 2025 situation. Not only but also curriculum approach. The resit world is rich with consequences of society’s shortcomings, society should respect this, policy makers should take note, funding priorities & infrastructure should definitely reflect this.

Screen shot of post available on my Linked In page.

Reposted by Alex Thomson

The English Association @englishassociation.bsky.social · Aug 21

This year there were more than 1.5 million entries to English Lang or English Lit GCSEs: nearly 25% of all entries. We note Jill Duffy’s (CEO, OCR) reported comments on need for ‘fundamental reform to maths & English sec. education to support those who fall behind in these crucial subjects’. ⬇️

Info on GCSE English resits also available on our website.

Info on GCSE English results also available on our website.

Reposted by Alex Thomson

The English Association @englishassociation.bsky.social · Aug 14

The English Association congratulates every student who has received results for an A-level in English. 👏🏽
English remains a v. popular A-level choice, the 5th most popular A-level-
*not always well-known as entries split across the 3 qualifications – English Lit, English Lang, English Lang & Lit.*⬇️

Results data, available on our website

Results data available on our website

Results analysis available on our website

Reposted by Alex Thomson

The English Association @englishassociation.bsky.social · Aug 14

Congratulations on all receiving A-level English Language, Lang & Lit, Literature results! 💫 And to all their teachers ! We commend the fantastic opportunities that study of these subjects offer 🥳. Find out what English studies brings ! englishassociation.ac.uk/case-studies/

Case studies | The English Association

We support the teaching, learning, and enjoyment of English at all levels of education, from early years to further and higher education and beyond.

englishassociation.ac.uk

Reposted by Alex Thomson

Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · Aug 14

The British Academy's new School Indicators dashboard is now live. It shows long-term uptake trends in subject entries across the UK’s most commonly taken secondary and post-16 qualifications (GCSE, A Level, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher) for Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. 1/2

School Indicators

www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk

Reposted by Alex Thomson

The English Association @englishassociation.bsky.social · Aug 8

We are delighted to announce the longlist for our Michael Murphy Poetry Prize! englishassociation.ac.uk/michael-murp...
@carcanet.bsky.social @ninearchespress.bsky.social @picadorbooks.bsky.social @prototypepubs.bsky.social @bloodaxebooks.bsky.social @faberbooks.bsky.social

Reposted by Alex Thomson

The English Association @englishassociation.bsky.social · Aug 8

Could you be the next editor of our journal, The Year's Work in Critical and Cultural Theory?
@oupacademic.bsky.social #criticaltheory #culturaltheory #literarytheory

Take a look and apply: englishassociation.ac.uk/opportunity-...

Opportunity to join the editorial team of The Year's Work in Critical and Cultural Theory | The English Association

We support the teaching, learning, and enjoyment of English at all levels of education, from early years to further and higher education and beyond.

englishassociation.ac.uk

Reposted by Alex Thomson

The English Association @englishassociation.bsky.social · Jul 24

We are signatories to this important letter organised by @voice21oracy.bsky.social
“calling on him to establish oracy as a core part of Labour’s revised national curriculum & make it the 4th ‘R’ in education, alongside reading,writing & arithmetic. “
www.theguardian.com/education/20...

Keir Starmer urged to honour pledge to embed speaking skills in England’s schools

Alastair Campbell and children’s author Michael Rosen among advocates calling for oracy to be in curriculum

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Alex Thomson

School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) @uoe-llc.bsky.social · Jul 21

LLC's former Head of School, Professor Jeremy Robbins, is among the British Academy's newly elected Fellows! 🎉

Jeremy's outstanding contributions within Hispanic Studies has been recognised with one of the Academy's highest honours, and we're all thrilled for him.

See the full list below 👇

The British Academy @britishacademy.bsky.social · Jul 18

The British Academy has elected 92 new Fellows in 2025 – a higher number than in previous years due to new Fellowship places for candidates whose research spans more than one discipline www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/agm-wel...

The British Academy welcomes 92 new Fellows in 2025

92 distinguished scholars have today been elected to the British Academy’s Fellowship, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the humanities and social sciences.

www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk

Reposted by Alex Thomson

The English Association @englishassociation.bsky.social · Jun 23

😊Meet our new Fellows ! 😊
Our Fellows, who are nominated by their peers, represent 🌟excellence in the teaching and learning of English🌟, and have an active role in the EA’s mission. Stay tuned to find out the distinguished scholars and teachers awarded Fellowships this year! Beginning with ⬇️

Pictures of new fellows appointed - full information on our website.

Pictures of new fellows appointed - full information on our website.

Reposted by Alex Thomson

The English Association @englishassociation.bsky.social · Jun 24

Meet our impressive, newly appointed, ambassador : distinguished 💫Professor Isobel Armstrong. Armstrong commands respect across the discipline, remains extremely active, as teacher, reviewer, fellow of the British Academy, & crucially, as a supporter of the EA. We are so grateful for her support.

Picture of our newly appointed ambassador, Professor Isobel Armstrong - details on our website.

Reposted by Alex Thomson

The English Association @englishassociation.bsky.social · Jun 14

An exciting conference day🙌🏼 ! Opened by our fabulous CEO Dr Rebecca Fisher, first keynote introduced by chair of our EY & Primary committee, super duper Kirstie Hewitt - & brilliantly entertaining & hugely inspiring, action packed ! story rich keynote on poetry from @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social ❤️🎉💫👏🏽

Photo of conference in action

Photo of conference in action

Photo of Michael Rosen at our conference

Reposted by Alex Thomson

The English Association @englishassociation.bsky.social · Jun 14

Here’s @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social 😊👏🏽 wonderful talking about the purpose of poetry in education - we cd have listened for hours ! And our brilliant chair @jennyrichards.bsky.social adding her thoughts to close the session, inspired by his ⭐️keynote ⭐️ #ConferenceDay 🎉💫🥳

Photo of Michael Rosen reading a poem

Photo of Michael Rosen talking

Photo of out chair Jenny Richards addressing the conference at the end of the keynote

Photo of Michael Rosen reading a poem

Alex Thomson @byebyepride.bsky.social · Apr 26

Some very revealing data in this article, which also shows the strength of concerns about the English Lit GCSE and highlights some of the barriers to change. A high priority for @englishassociation.bsky.social and many of our partners and collaborators.

The English Association @englishassociation.bsky.social · Apr 25

Great to see @bobeaglestone.bsky.social
-as our very own lead on educational policy - quoted in this article, on an issue close to the heart of a significant part of our work; text choice & change matters. www.tes.com/magazine/new...

Revealed: The most and least popular GCSE English lit texts

Schools need support to break away from An Inspector Calls to cover texts by authors from more diverse backgrounds, say experts