Drew Thomson-Jones
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cupofteaching.com
Drew Thomson-Jones
@cupofteaching.com
Secondary School Head, primary school governor, #watfordfc, 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
I did find it interesting that they haven’t considered ‘English’ as a single combined qualification (like it was for me in Scotland, and presumably was in England a while back). Easy way for breadth.
November 9, 2025 at 11:20 PM
There’s certainly a correlation with Triple Sci and taking a Sci degree in the paper (and school type -ie prob the best indicator of specialist teaching- has negligible impact)

Interesting that Triple Sci has almost no impact on sci degree uptake at Russell Grp

discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10...
November 2, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Though admittedly there will be an increased attraction for many prospective teachers if you knew that you’d likely get separate sciences and more specialist teaching.
November 2, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Or could be read as: access to the best schools (who have more specialist teachers and separate sci) is a key factor?

I have had many brilliant double scientists achieve very well at A Level.

Not convinced this shift would have the desired effect. Esp with lack of teachers.
November 2, 2025 at 12:57 PM
I only did Chemistry and Physics, for the same reason. Having taught GCSE Biology, it hasn’t entirely stifled me!

Quite a few independent schools permit the choice of individual sciences, allowing pupils to choose additional alternative subjects they’re more interested in. Works pretty well.
November 1, 2025 at 12:36 PM
I solved drwilkinsonsci's Minute Cryptic member clue!
Roughly determine the meatiest mince. (8)
Hints: 0, Letters revealed: 0
www.minutecryptic.com/custom/0b4d4...
Minute Cryptic
Solve a clue with a hidden meaning
www.minutecryptic.com
August 2, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Enjoyed ‘the French’ particularly!
July 30, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Couldn’t leave without a gallery visit. The most teaching leaning portrait in the new exhibition at the NPG was this, titled Inset Day by Yvadney Davis which rather expertly portrays every emotion felt at home that day!
July 29, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Absolutely right. Enjoyed recently watching this Q&A with Jony Ive that spoke to this in the first 10+ mins with how Apple achieved what they did, and what drives Jony as a designer. Struck a chord with my views on leadership generally. youtu.be/wLb9g_8r-mE?...
A conversation with Jony Ive
YouTube video by Stripe
youtu.be
July 26, 2025 at 1:13 PM
I have something similar, it brings me so much joy!
July 19, 2025 at 5:36 PM
I’m a governor at one of those schools, and I can confirm it’s pretty brutal. Well, balancing the budget is brutal anyway, this just makes it all the more difficult.
July 9, 2025 at 7:38 PM