Michael Fordham
@michaelfordham.bsky.social
Headteacher of Thetford Academy (UK). Trustee of Diocese of Ely MAT. Interested in history, school music, and educational philosophy. All views my own.
Reposted by Michael Fordham
If AI is being used extensively in office jobs, then should we be letting students use AI in the classroom?
No - here's why.
With reference to 3 papers that show what you do in a job isn't the template for what you do in the classroom.
substack.nomoremarking.com/p/education-...
No - here's why.
With reference to 3 papers that show what you do in a job isn't the template for what you do in the classroom.
substack.nomoremarking.com/p/education-...
August 4, 2025 at 12:25 PM
If AI is being used extensively in office jobs, then should we be letting students use AI in the classroom?
No - here's why.
With reference to 3 papers that show what you do in a job isn't the template for what you do in the classroom.
substack.nomoremarking.com/p/education-...
No - here's why.
With reference to 3 papers that show what you do in a job isn't the template for what you do in the classroom.
substack.nomoremarking.com/p/education-...
Reposted by Michael Fordham
The people who think students will find a curriculum based on workplace training more engaging should go into schools and deliver a drop-down day, leading sessions on writing an application, interview skills etc.
June 2, 2025 at 10:30 PM
The people who think students will find a curriculum based on workplace training more engaging should go into schools and deliver a drop-down day, leading sessions on writing an application, interview skills etc.
Reposted by Michael Fordham
*Of course* school prepares children for their futures, but not by being a mini workplace. It’s by giving them a breadth of foundational knowledge and experience across the big, enduring disciplines and human pursuits. The kinds of things they won’t get chance to learn about or experience at work.
June 2, 2025 at 9:35 PM
*Of course* school prepares children for their futures, but not by being a mini workplace. It’s by giving them a breadth of foundational knowledge and experience across the big, enduring disciplines and human pursuits. The kinds of things they won’t get chance to learn about or experience at work.
After Virtue one of the books that most influenced my thinking on teaching.
#AlasdairMacIntyre 1 of the handful of philosophers whose impact upon me has been transformative & lifelong—upon me as a person (educated in the charisms of the SNDs & the Dominicans); an academic; a teacher; a writer; a reader. The most studious & humane of thinkers. RIP.
I only met Alasdair MacIntyre once, briefly; but discovering 'After Virtue' redeemed philosophy for me, at a time when I was bitterly regretting choosing to study it as an undergraduate. I think his importance will indeed hold up over time. RIP to a true Titan
May 23, 2025 at 7:20 AM
After Virtue one of the books that most influenced my thinking on teaching.
Reposted by Michael Fordham
Thrilled to be receivin first copies a real team effort by so many great history teachers and educators @victoriacrooks.bsky.social @lauralondo1017.bsky.social @paulalobo.bsky.social @danlyndon.bsky.social @mrmayhew.bsky.social @michaelfordham.bsky.social Dedicated to the great Helen Snelson
Exciting day! It’s arrived and with a beautiful dedication to the inimitable and deeply missed Helen Snelson. What an impact she continues to have. Here’s to being more like Helen.
Well done @dankeates.bsky.social Matt Stanford and Corinne Goullée on getting this into the world.
Well done @dankeates.bsky.social Matt Stanford and Corinne Goullée on getting this into the world.
April 2, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Thrilled to be receivin first copies a real team effort by so many great history teachers and educators @victoriacrooks.bsky.social @lauralondo1017.bsky.social @paulalobo.bsky.social @danlyndon.bsky.social @mrmayhew.bsky.social @michaelfordham.bsky.social Dedicated to the great Helen Snelson
Just in case anyone else is looking for recommendations for books to read to young children.
Grabbing a few favourites off the shelf (ours are now 7 and 4 but all of these were being used from 2 up to about 5). First up is an absolute favourite.
February 26, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Just in case anyone else is looking for recommendations for books to read to young children.
Reposted by Michael Fordham
5 different emails from recruitment agencies today, offering me ECTs - PLEASE don’t come via agencies, just come and drop in - we welcome visitors. We aren’t the polished, slick school yet but we’re great to work for, full of heart and keen to get better.
I won’t waste public money on finders fees!
I won’t waste public money on finders fees!
February 24, 2025 at 6:23 PM
5 different emails from recruitment agencies today, offering me ECTs - PLEASE don’t come via agencies, just come and drop in - we welcome visitors. We aren’t the polished, slick school yet but we’re great to work for, full of heart and keen to get better.
I won’t waste public money on finders fees!
I won’t waste public money on finders fees!
Reposted by Michael Fordham
New blog! ‘The Teachers’ knowledge that has no name’.
What should we call this knowledge?
heatherfblog.wordpress.com/2025/02/23/t...
With special thanks to @michaelfordham.bsky.social
What should we call this knowledge?
heatherfblog.wordpress.com/2025/02/23/t...
With special thanks to @michaelfordham.bsky.social
February 23, 2025 at 10:55 AM
New blog! ‘The Teachers’ knowledge that has no name’.
What should we call this knowledge?
heatherfblog.wordpress.com/2025/02/23/t...
With special thanks to @michaelfordham.bsky.social
What should we call this knowledge?
heatherfblog.wordpress.com/2025/02/23/t...
With special thanks to @michaelfordham.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael Fordham
We are entering a critical 5th year. Our first year of GCSEs for our founding cohort. We are hiring across all depts as we look to scale up and expand our work. Check us out!
arksoane.org/jobs/vacancies
arksoane.org/jobs/vacancies
Explore our vacancies
We look forward to receiving your application; if you have any questions, please do get in contact with us and we'll be happy to help.
arksoane.org
February 11, 2025 at 9:35 PM
We are entering a critical 5th year. Our first year of GCSEs for our founding cohort. We are hiring across all depts as we look to scale up and expand our work. Check us out!
arksoane.org/jobs/vacancies
arksoane.org/jobs/vacancies
Reposted by Michael Fordham
"“Leaders continually monitor the progress of their pupil premium strategy and make helpful and proactive adaptations, as appropriate"
Define 'continually'. Annually? Monthly? Weekly? Daily? Hourly?
Or should we take that literally? "Can you watch the PP strategy for me? I'm busting for a wee!"
Define 'continually'. Annually? Monthly? Weekly? Daily? Hourly?
Or should we take that literally? "Can you watch the PP strategy for me? I'm busting for a wee!"
February 5, 2025 at 9:33 PM
"“Leaders continually monitor the progress of their pupil premium strategy and make helpful and proactive adaptations, as appropriate"
Define 'continually'. Annually? Monthly? Weekly? Daily? Hourly?
Or should we take that literally? "Can you watch the PP strategy for me? I'm busting for a wee!"
Define 'continually'. Annually? Monthly? Weekly? Daily? Hourly?
Or should we take that literally? "Can you watch the PP strategy for me? I'm busting for a wee!"
Reposted by Michael Fordham
I strode confidently into this thinking that I was a well-versed decipherer of edu-mumbo-jumbo but I scored just 2/5.
The Ofsted reforms really are comically bad.
The Ofsted reforms really are comically bad.
So, nearly 400 people have done our Ofsted Grade Confusion quiz
The average score is 3 out of 5 - meaning people are on average getting TWO wrong!
Question 3 (below) is causing particular problems - just 37% got it right!!
I only know one person so far who has got full marks …
The average score is 3 out of 5 - meaning people are on average getting TWO wrong!
Question 3 (below) is causing particular problems - just 37% got it right!!
I only know one person so far who has got full marks …
February 5, 2025 at 7:42 PM
I strode confidently into this thinking that I was a well-versed decipherer of edu-mumbo-jumbo but I scored just 2/5.
The Ofsted reforms really are comically bad.
The Ofsted reforms really are comically bad.
Well done to Schools Week for digging in to what might look like a technical issue, but in reality will be what makes this framework fall apart.
Schools Week have devised a quiz!
Higher or Lower! Can you spot which statement in the Ofsted framework is for the higher grade?!
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-quiz-...
Higher or Lower! Can you spot which statement in the Ofsted framework is for the higher grade?!
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-quiz-...
Ofsted quiz: Can you spot a ‘strong’ rating from a ‘secure’ one?
Ofsted's proposed 'toolkits' have been criticised as being too unclear - but do they make sense?
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 5, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Well done to Schools Week for digging in to what might look like a technical issue, but in reality will be what makes this framework fall apart.
These are the examples that Ofsted need to be bombarded with over the consultation. Anyone with half an ounce of sense will see that it is a nonsense that one of these is better than the other.
Which is better?
"Teachers have the expertise and knowledge to make well-judged adaptations to overcome barriers to learning"
OR
"Appropriate and well-judged adaptations help pupils to overcome the most significant barriers to learning"
"Teachers have the expertise and knowledge to make well-judged adaptations to overcome barriers to learning"
OR
"Appropriate and well-judged adaptations help pupils to overcome the most significant barriers to learning"
February 3, 2025 at 7:47 PM
These are the examples that Ofsted need to be bombarded with over the consultation. Anyone with half an ounce of sense will see that it is a nonsense that one of these is better than the other.
Reposted by Michael Fordham
Which is better?
"Teachers have the expertise and knowledge to make well-judged adaptations to overcome barriers to learning"
OR
"Appropriate and well-judged adaptations help pupils to overcome the most significant barriers to learning"
"Teachers have the expertise and knowledge to make well-judged adaptations to overcome barriers to learning"
OR
"Appropriate and well-judged adaptations help pupils to overcome the most significant barriers to learning"
February 3, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Which is better?
"Teachers have the expertise and knowledge to make well-judged adaptations to overcome barriers to learning"
OR
"Appropriate and well-judged adaptations help pupils to overcome the most significant barriers to learning"
"Teachers have the expertise and knowledge to make well-judged adaptations to overcome barriers to learning"
OR
"Appropriate and well-judged adaptations help pupils to overcome the most significant barriers to learning"
I recently said that the current Ofsted framework is the most intellectually rigorous one we’ve had and several people disagreed, but looking at what’s come out today I’m all the more convinced that it’s true. You don’t have to like it, but it’s intelligent. The new one? Don’t know where to start.
February 3, 2025 at 7:41 PM
I recently said that the current Ofsted framework is the most intellectually rigorous one we’ve had and several people disagreed, but looking at what’s come out today I’m all the more convinced that it’s true. You don’t have to like it, but it’s intelligent. The new one? Don’t know where to start.
Reposted by Michael Fordham
We're gonna need a Bigger Listen.
February 3, 2025 at 3:35 PM
We're gonna need a Bigger Listen.
Reposted by Michael Fordham
Final thought on Ofsted for now: the section on Developing Teaching is predictably a dog's breakfast. I can't even work out what it's about. More importantly, it will have dire consequences in schools.
February 3, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Final thought on Ofsted for now: the section on Developing Teaching is predictably a dog's breakfast. I can't even work out what it's about. More importantly, it will have dire consequences in schools.
Reposted by Michael Fordham
Already amusing myself with the "guess which of the descriptors is meant to be better" game for the new Ofsted toolkits.
February 3, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Already amusing myself with the "guess which of the descriptors is meant to be better" game for the new Ofsted toolkits.
Reposted by Michael Fordham
The idea you need more subject knowledge to teach children who find learning easier just isn't true. To prioritise the most important material for those who find it harder teachers usually need to know the content even better.
January 27, 2025 at 7:53 AM
The idea you need more subject knowledge to teach children who find learning easier just isn't true. To prioritise the most important material for those who find it harder teachers usually need to know the content even better.
Reposted by Michael Fordham
This is why you don't design curricula around "jobs of the future".
We can't predict the future but we do know what general skills and knowledge will be valuable whatever job you do.
We can't predict the future but we do know what general skills and knowledge will be valuable whatever job you do.
‘Learn to code’
Should’ve done a proper degree like sociology or political science
Should’ve done a proper degree like sociology or political science
January 26, 2025 at 10:59 AM
This is why you don't design curricula around "jobs of the future".
We can't predict the future but we do know what general skills and knowledge will be valuable whatever job you do.
We can't predict the future but we do know what general skills and knowledge will be valuable whatever job you do.
Reposted by Michael Fordham
A few years ago it was pointed out you ‘can’t see learning’, yet now we see videos of performative class teaching as if we can now see learning… it’s still the case that we can’t… so proxies for learning now are…?
January 25, 2025 at 7:58 AM
A few years ago it was pointed out you ‘can’t see learning’, yet now we see videos of performative class teaching as if we can now see learning… it’s still the case that we can’t… so proxies for learning now are…?
Took students this evening to see Jacob Collier with the Britten Sinfonia. Quite a remarkable eclectic performance.
January 23, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Took students this evening to see Jacob Collier with the Britten Sinfonia. Quite a remarkable eclectic performance.
Reposted by Michael Fordham
Sure, there's still lots of nonsense out there, but my opinion is that we are living in an education golden age. Exciting and evidence based approaches to T&L, groundbreaking resourcing, innovative approaches to CPD. What more could you want?
We are blessed.
We are blessed.
January 22, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Sure, there's still lots of nonsense out there, but my opinion is that we are living in an education golden age. Exciting and evidence based approaches to T&L, groundbreaking resourcing, innovative approaches to CPD. What more could you want?
We are blessed.
We are blessed.
The impact of the “PowerPoint-ification” of teaching is even more notable in subjects like history, geography or psychology. Reading actual texts survives in English, but in many other subjects there are plenty who don’t see point in reading when you could stick a few bullets on a slide.
"PowerPoint slides have been used to erase more complex reading from textbooks or worksheets in many subjects." Alex is spot on here. @michaeldoron.bsky.social and his team expertly tackle this. PPs images only, pupils read challenging texts
My new @tesmagazine.bsky.social column on 'Why making reading easier may be a bad choice'.
Looking forward to all those AI created extracts, lovely and easy graphic summaries, or 'Shakespeare made easy'? Perhaps think again.
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Looking forward to all those AI created extracts, lovely and easy graphic summaries, or 'Shakespeare made easy'? Perhaps think again.
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
January 18, 2025 at 1:18 PM
The impact of the “PowerPoint-ification” of teaching is even more notable in subjects like history, geography or psychology. Reading actual texts survives in English, but in many other subjects there are plenty who don’t see point in reading when you could stick a few bullets on a slide.
Reposted by Michael Fordham
"PowerPoint slides have been used to erase more complex reading from textbooks or worksheets in many subjects." Alex is spot on here. @michaeldoron.bsky.social and his team expertly tackle this. PPs images only, pupils read challenging texts
My new @tesmagazine.bsky.social column on 'Why making reading easier may be a bad choice'.
Looking forward to all those AI created extracts, lovely and easy graphic summaries, or 'Shakespeare made easy'? Perhaps think again.
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Looking forward to all those AI created extracts, lovely and easy graphic summaries, or 'Shakespeare made easy'? Perhaps think again.
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Why making reading easier may be a bad choice
There are myriad ways to simplify reading, from AI summaries to shortened sentences, but we may be making life hard for pupils in the long run, writes Alex Quigley
www.tes.com
January 17, 2025 at 7:57 PM
"PowerPoint slides have been used to erase more complex reading from textbooks or worksheets in many subjects." Alex is spot on here. @michaeldoron.bsky.social and his team expertly tackle this. PPs images only, pupils read challenging texts