Emma Knights
@emmakn.bsky.social
Former CEO of NGA, just written The Power of Governance to record the changes. For yrs worked in anti-poverty orgs mainly in 3rd sector. Now chair of Action21 local environmental charity, a passion as are books, pictures, theatre, laughs & social justice
Not sure 400 is right number (suggests an average trust size of 40-50 schools depending how many maintained schools convert), but all @markmccourt.bsky.social's arguments are important. Definitely need this debate & more effort to ensuring community connections are valued by MATs
If we want an academy trust system that works for pupils, staff and the taxpayer, we need to drastically reduce trust numbers, suggests @markmccourt.bsky.social
Why England only needs 400 academy trusts
If we want a trust-led system that works for pupils, staff, communities and the taxpayer, we need to drastically reduce trust numbers, argues Mark McCourt
www.tes.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Not sure 400 is right number (suggests an average trust size of 40-50 schools depending how many maintained schools convert), but all @markmccourt.bsky.social's arguments are important. Definitely need this debate & more effort to ensuring community connections are valued by MATs
Congratulations to @nigelgenders.bsky.social. Great appointment as schools admissions adjudicator. A man of integrity & wisdom
The Church of England’s chief education officer has been appointed to lead the adjudicator that oversees school admissions across England
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/church-education-chief-to-lead-school-admissions-adjudicator/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/church-education-chief-to-lead-school-admissions-adjudicator/
Church education chief to lead school admissions adjudicator
The Reverend Nigel Genders will be the new chief schools adjudicator
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Congratulations to @nigelgenders.bsky.social. Great appointment as schools admissions adjudicator. A man of integrity & wisdom
www.theatrere.co.uk/the-nature-o...
A very memorable (forgive the pun) performance this evening at Warwick Arts Cente on the tough topic of dementia. Just there for one more night: recommended
#skytheatre
A very memorable (forgive the pun) performance this evening at Warwick Arts Cente on the tough topic of dementia. Just there for one more night: recommended
#skytheatre
The Nature of Forgetting
Funded by National Lottery through Arts Council England Co-commissioned by the London International Mime Festival, The Point Eastleigh, and South Hill Park Arts Centre Supported by Shoreditch Town...
www.theatrere.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 10:41 PM
www.theatrere.co.uk/the-nature-o...
A very memorable (forgive the pun) performance this evening at Warwick Arts Cente on the tough topic of dementia. Just there for one more night: recommended
#skytheatre
A very memorable (forgive the pun) performance this evening at Warwick Arts Cente on the tough topic of dementia. Just there for one more night: recommended
#skytheatre
The climate and nature crises are not given the media coverage & political attention they deserve.
What a great idea to get more evidence to our elected representatives & policy-makers: a national emergency briefing
nebriefing.org
What a great idea to get more evidence to our elected representatives & policy-makers: a national emergency briefing
nebriefing.org
I’ve just announced I’ll be leading a National Emergency Briefing on 27 November . At a time when climate is in free fall on the political agenda , it’s vital our leaders realise what is at stake if we do not accelerate a just , green transition for all .
@nebriefing.bsky.social 🇬🇧
@nebriefing.bsky.social 🇬🇧
November 9, 2025 at 2:52 PM
The climate and nature crises are not given the media coverage & political attention they deserve.
What a great idea to get more evidence to our elected representatives & policy-makers: a national emergency briefing
nebriefing.org
What a great idea to get more evidence to our elected representatives & policy-makers: a national emergency briefing
nebriefing.org
Yes finances can be a significant driver, but it is the SAT's board of trustees who will take the decision - and often locality is very important to them. We have a schools system which is very confused - at least on paper - about place. This needs more thought. The White Paper can't ignore place
The number of single academy trusts has fallen by almost a third in 5 years. This direction of travel is likely to continue given the DfE’s rumoured policy for all schools to join a MAT.
@jabedahmed.bsky.social looks at what it will take for the remaining SATs to merge:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
@jabedahmed.bsky.social looks at what it will take for the remaining SATs to merge:
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
What will push the last single-academy trusts to merge?
Nearly 850 single-academy trusts remain, including some of the highest performing schools in England. Labour wants them to join multi-academy trusts, but persuading them won’t be easy, finds Jabed Ahm...
www.tes.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Yes finances can be a significant driver, but it is the SAT's board of trustees who will take the decision - and often locality is very important to them. We have a schools system which is very confused - at least on paper - about place. This needs more thought. The White Paper can't ignore place
Thought-provoking @adammorton.bsky.social
And what a fab legacy...
And what a fab legacy...
Bob Brown: ‘Being an environmentalist is sensible. I like defying the growth mentality because it’s irrational’
Bob Brown: ‘Being an environmentalist is sensible. I like defying the growth mentality because it’s irrational’
At 80 years old, the trailblazing environmentalist on the state of activism, optimism and why he is comfortable with the concept of his own ‘perpetual annihilation’
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Thought-provoking @adammorton.bsky.social
And what a fab legacy...
And what a fab legacy...
Reposted by Emma Knights
Short interview on the BBC Today programme with Amol Rajan, discussing the upcoming Brazil COP and how the so-called “cost of living crisis” is being (mis)used by leaders and high emitters to avoid taking meaningful action on climate change.
Starts at 2.36.30. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Starts at 2.36.30. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Today - 07/11/2025 - BBC Sounds
News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Short interview on the BBC Today programme with Amol Rajan, discussing the upcoming Brazil COP and how the so-called “cost of living crisis” is being (mis)used by leaders and high emitters to avoid taking meaningful action on climate change.
Starts at 2.36.30. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Starts at 2.36.30. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The schools minister Georgia Gould MP thanks trustees and school governors #TrusteesWeek
The language of governance being 'overlooked' came from a landmark research report in 2008 and largely applies all these years later. So it's pleasing to see a small acknowledgement from the powers that be
The language of governance being 'overlooked' came from a landmark research report in 2008 and largely applies all these years later. So it's pleasing to see a small acknowledgement from the powers that be
November 6, 2025 at 2:50 PM
The schools minister Georgia Gould MP thanks trustees and school governors #TrusteesWeek
The language of governance being 'overlooked' came from a landmark research report in 2008 and largely applies all these years later. So it's pleasing to see a small acknowledgement from the powers that be
The language of governance being 'overlooked' came from a landmark research report in 2008 and largely applies all these years later. So it's pleasing to see a small acknowledgement from the powers that be
Reposted by Emma Knights
I’ve spent the last few months doing a deep dive into the scale of the challenge the English schools system faces, looking at: pupil numbers; SEND and financial pressures; staffing; and the performance of schools.
November 6, 2025 at 9:57 AM
I’ve spent the last few months doing a deep dive into the scale of the challenge the English schools system faces, looking at: pupil numbers; SEND and financial pressures; staffing; and the performance of schools.
Today David Holdsworth, CEO of the Charity Commission opened #TrusteesWeek beautifully at the Festival of Trusteeship
Trusteeship 'an act of radical optimism'; 'building the infrastructure of a compassionate society'; 'charities are civil society'
Here here. A v positive vision
Trusteeship 'an act of radical optimism'; 'building the infrastructure of a compassionate society'; 'charities are civil society'
Here here. A v positive vision
November 3, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Today David Holdsworth, CEO of the Charity Commission opened #TrusteesWeek beautifully at the Festival of Trusteeship
Trusteeship 'an act of radical optimism'; 'building the infrastructure of a compassionate society'; 'charities are civil society'
Here here. A v positive vision
Trusteeship 'an act of radical optimism'; 'building the infrastructure of a compassionate society'; 'charities are civil society'
Here here. A v positive vision
Great session today at Stratford Literary Festival: Saabira Chaudhuri on Consumed (about the plastic crisis) & Julia Shaw on Green Crime. Holding the big boys to account. And it wasn't all doom & gloom. Looking forward to reading their books & learning more
#StratLitFest
#StratLitFest
November 1, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Great session today at Stratford Literary Festival: Saabira Chaudhuri on Consumed (about the plastic crisis) & Julia Shaw on Green Crime. Holding the big boys to account. And it wasn't all doom & gloom. Looking forward to reading their books & learning more
#StratLitFest
#StratLitFest
Reposted by Emma Knights
Just when honest and truthful reporting on climate change is most urgently needed, Ofcom under its current chair has effectively suspended its accuracy rules on this life-and-death issue. /1
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Enforced veganism’: Ofcom lets GB News flout accuracy rules, say climate campaigners
Exclusive: Regulator has received 1,221 complaints about UK broadcasters since 2020 but found no breaches of its code
www.theguardian.com
October 25, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Just when honest and truthful reporting on climate change is most urgently needed, Ofcom under its current chair has effectively suspended its accuracy rules on this life-and-death issue. /1
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Well said. Irish history doesn't get the profile it deserves even tho lots of us in GB have Irish ancestry and we do care & know a little. NI is absolutely & definitely not boring
I love Blue Lights ... too many police dramas & murders on TV but this is in a different league
I love Blue Lights ... too many police dramas & murders on TV but this is in a different league
Bloody Sunday, Blue Lights and the two most boring words in the English language. Latest column www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Blue Lights is more than great TV. It might be the best chance Britons have of reckoning with the Troubles | Jonathan Freedland
The reaction to the Bloody Sunday trial makes it clear: those of us outside Northern Ireland just don’t understand the painful legacy of this brutal conflict, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedlan...
www.theguardian.com
October 25, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Well said. Irish history doesn't get the profile it deserves even tho lots of us in GB have Irish ancestry and we do care & know a little. NI is absolutely & definitely not boring
I love Blue Lights ... too many police dramas & murders on TV but this is in a different league
I love Blue Lights ... too many police dramas & murders on TV but this is in a different league
How very disappointing esp considering the number of organisations working to support schools with sustainability: but given all the other challenges schools face, leadership is needed from DfE
Exclusive: Only 3% more teachers say their school has nominated a sustainability this year compared with 2023, showing little progress for climate change strategies
schoolsweek.co.uk
September 30, 2025 at 4:50 PM
How very disappointing esp considering the number of organisations working to support schools with sustainability: but given all the other challenges schools face, leadership is needed from DfE
Reposted by Emma Knights
'Leader' of the 'free' world calls #ClimateChange a hoax at UN...
Meanwhile, the not-so-free nation of China is leading the way on #Renewables
This headline belies the vast ramping up renewable infrastructure in China ( #R4Today report 6.20am)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Meanwhile, the not-so-free nation of China is leading the way on #Renewables
This headline belies the vast ramping up renewable infrastructure in China ( #R4Today report 6.20am)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
China makes landmark pledge to cut its climate emissions
It is China's first firm goal to reduce emissions but falls well short of what is needed to meet global targets.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 25, 2025 at 5:38 AM
'Leader' of the 'free' world calls #ClimateChange a hoax at UN...
Meanwhile, the not-so-free nation of China is leading the way on #Renewables
This headline belies the vast ramping up renewable infrastructure in China ( #R4Today report 6.20am)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Meanwhile, the not-so-free nation of China is leading the way on #Renewables
This headline belies the vast ramping up renewable infrastructure in China ( #R4Today report 6.20am)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Interesting that people are so concerned about Govt having data on ID system when we're all handing so much digital info to the private sector & so many other countries have them
There's always been issues with those entitled to benefits claiming: perhaps this could help in the future? #bbcaq
There's always been issues with those entitled to benefits claiming: perhaps this could help in the future? #bbcaq
September 27, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Interesting that people are so concerned about Govt having data on ID system when we're all handing so much digital info to the private sector & so many other countries have them
There's always been issues with those entitled to benefits claiming: perhaps this could help in the future? #bbcaq
There's always been issues with those entitled to benefits claiming: perhaps this could help in the future? #bbcaq
Just been to China: such a terrific high speed train system. On time, seats for all, clean & often through mountains. Plus the metros so cheap & well used
Why oh why are we in Britain so unable to modernise our railway system? #bbcaq
Why oh why are we in Britain so unable to modernise our railway system? #bbcaq
September 27, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Just been to China: such a terrific high speed train system. On time, seats for all, clean & often through mountains. Plus the metros so cheap & well used
Why oh why are we in Britain so unable to modernise our railway system? #bbcaq
Why oh why are we in Britain so unable to modernise our railway system? #bbcaq
Important research. Maybe we need to return to the length of the summer holidays debate? @ioe.bsky.social
📊 'This cohort are consistently the least engaged across nearly every measure and often start secondary school on the back foot'
@ioe.bsky.social's John Jerrim launches his new 'Stat of the nation' column with an exclusive look at stark new data
@ioe.bsky.social's John Jerrim launches his new 'Stat of the nation' column with an exclusive look at stark new data
schoolsweek.co.uk
September 26, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Important research. Maybe we need to return to the length of the summer holidays debate? @ioe.bsky.social
#r4today can't quite believe that short piece on childcare. 20 years when I was co-CEO of predecessor of Coram Family & Child care all the same issues. So sad there hasn't been progress on pay & status of early years workers www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk
Coram Family and Childcare
Improving life for UK families through better childcare and early years support, creating lasting impact for today and the future.
www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk
August 30, 2025 at 8:04 AM
#r4today can't quite believe that short piece on childcare. 20 years when I was co-CEO of predecessor of Coram Family & Child care all the same issues. So sad there hasn't been progress on pay & status of early years workers www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk
Reposted by Emma Knights
Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina ravaged his hometown of New Orleans, Jon Batiste has released a new song imploring people to take action against climate change “by raising your voice, and insisting, and voting the right people into office.”
‘It’s a warning, set to a dance beat’: Jon Batiste on his new song urging climate action 20 years after Katrina
‘It’s a warning, set to a dance beat’: Jon Batiste on his new song urging climate action 20 years after Katrina
The global music star, whose home town of New Orleans was devastated by the hurricane in 2005, says ‘people power’ can change the world
www.theguardian.com
August 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina ravaged his hometown of New Orleans, Jon Batiste has released a new song imploring people to take action against climate change “by raising your voice, and insisting, and voting the right people into office.”
Reposted by Emma Knights
Glaciers in the Alps and Pyrenees have lost about 40% of their mass since 2000. www.nbcnews.com/science/clim...
At Europe's melting glaciers, signs of climate peril are everywhere
Europe's glaciers are shrinking faster than anywhere else on Earth, leaving behind unstable landscapes.
www.nbcnews.com
August 19, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Glaciers in the Alps and Pyrenees have lost about 40% of their mass since 2000. www.nbcnews.com/science/clim...
Reposted by Emma Knights
Yet another retrospective triumph for Cameron and Osborne.
Scrapping of audit watchdog for English councils ‘led to soaring costs and chaos’
High critical report finds that instead of promised annual saving of £100m, fees have rocketed amid financial crisis
www.theguardian.com
August 19, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Yet another retrospective triumph for Cameron and Osborne.
Reposted by Emma Knights
🌡️☔ New report | The UK isn't prepared for the impacts of climate change, and they're already here.
Nearly 3k deaths from excess heat in 2022. £2.4bn annual flooding costs. 6m homes at flood risk.
Yet 2/3 of #adaptation actions are inadequate for the scale of the challenge.
🔗 buff.ly/v9yl5ln
1/6
Nearly 3k deaths from excess heat in 2022. £2.4bn annual flooding costs. 6m homes at flood risk.
Yet 2/3 of #adaptation actions are inadequate for the scale of the challenge.
🔗 buff.ly/v9yl5ln
1/6
Adapt to thrive: preparing the UK for climate change
In this report, we show that the UK is underprepared for the impacts of climate change and outline a roadmap to an adapted and more resilient future.
buff.ly
July 11, 2025 at 6:01 AM
🌡️☔ New report | The UK isn't prepared for the impacts of climate change, and they're already here.
Nearly 3k deaths from excess heat in 2022. £2.4bn annual flooding costs. 6m homes at flood risk.
Yet 2/3 of #adaptation actions are inadequate for the scale of the challenge.
🔗 buff.ly/v9yl5ln
1/6
Nearly 3k deaths from excess heat in 2022. £2.4bn annual flooding costs. 6m homes at flood risk.
Yet 2/3 of #adaptation actions are inadequate for the scale of the challenge.
🔗 buff.ly/v9yl5ln
1/6
Reposted by Emma Knights
I wonder if 'walking the Salt Path' will become a euphemism here the way 'hiking the Appalachian Trail' has in America?
"I've been walking the Salt Path" = I've not been entirely honest
"I've been walking the Salt Path" = I've not been entirely honest
July 13, 2025 at 11:02 AM
I wonder if 'walking the Salt Path' will become a euphemism here the way 'hiking the Appalachian Trail' has in America?
"I've been walking the Salt Path" = I've not been entirely honest
"I've been walking the Salt Path" = I've not been entirely honest