Adam Smith
@mrsmithnorwich.bsky.social
Assistant Principal and Scout leader. Interested in history, politics, theology, policy.
It has been so difficult to move the conversation about RE and the National Curriculum on in the last half a decade but this might just do it.
It's a recommendation and it is for a gradual process but it is there - in black and white. Very good news!
It's a recommendation and it is for a gradual process but it is there - in black and white. Very good news!
November 5, 2025 at 6:12 AM
It has been so difficult to move the conversation about RE and the National Curriculum on in the last half a decade but this might just do it.
It's a recommendation and it is for a gradual process but it is there - in black and white. Very good news!
It's a recommendation and it is for a gradual process but it is there - in black and white. Very good news!
One of my summer plans has been to get better at reading Cyrillic and learn some Russian.
It has been a real lesson in phonics instruction because I can decode but it is taking me a long time to be able to blend!
There's a lot of Fred Talk going on.
It has been a real lesson in phonics instruction because I can decode but it is taking me a long time to be able to blend!
There's a lot of Fred Talk going on.
August 8, 2025 at 6:31 AM
One of my summer plans has been to get better at reading Cyrillic and learn some Russian.
It has been a real lesson in phonics instruction because I can decode but it is taking me a long time to be able to blend!
There's a lot of Fred Talk going on.
It has been a real lesson in phonics instruction because I can decode but it is taking me a long time to be able to blend!
There's a lot of Fred Talk going on.
The best part was getting to meet my Russian friend who I've known for nearly 10 years. He escaped conscription in Russia and lives in Yerevan now and I'm just so grateful the internet exists so we got to know each other. #нетвойны #ոչմիպատերազմ
August 1, 2025 at 11:42 AM
The best part was getting to meet my Russian friend who I've known for nearly 10 years. He escaped conscription in Russia and lives in Yerevan now and I'm just so grateful the internet exists so we got to know each other. #нетвойны #ոչմիպատերազմ
Missing Yerevan already - just an absolute banger of a city. So glad we got out into Armenia too even if the road trip experience was a bit nerve wracking at times. 🇦🇲 Can't wait to go back.
August 1, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Missing Yerevan already - just an absolute banger of a city. So glad we got out into Armenia too even if the road trip experience was a bit nerve wracking at times. 🇦🇲 Can't wait to go back.
I love packing cubes. 🛫
July 27, 2025 at 7:25 AM
I love packing cubes. 🛫
My trip to the Caucasus and Turkey starts today. I’ve wanted to go to Georgia and Armenia for a long time so this is very exciting! 🇦🇹🇦🇲🇬🇪🇹🇷
July 27, 2025 at 6:34 AM
My trip to the Caucasus and Turkey starts today. I’ve wanted to go to Georgia and Armenia for a long time so this is very exciting! 🇦🇹🇦🇲🇬🇪🇹🇷
Took Oswald to the Festival of the Unexceptional yesterday - one of my favourite days of the year. A celebration of the mundane! And I love the mundane.
July 27, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Took Oswald to the Festival of the Unexceptional yesterday - one of my favourite days of the year. A celebration of the mundane! And I love the mundane.
I always struggle with Summer 2, especially the last few weeks and I'm sure I'm not alone.
When I've been getting home from work I've been doing a flying tour of Africa from London to Cairo, Khartoum, Entebbe and Dar es Salaam.
I manage to squeeze some work in whilst I'm in cruise!
When I've been getting home from work I've been doing a flying tour of Africa from London to Cairo, Khartoum, Entebbe and Dar es Salaam.
I manage to squeeze some work in whilst I'm in cruise!
July 12, 2025 at 8:29 AM
I always struggle with Summer 2, especially the last few weeks and I'm sure I'm not alone.
When I've been getting home from work I've been doing a flying tour of Africa from London to Cairo, Khartoum, Entebbe and Dar es Salaam.
I manage to squeeze some work in whilst I'm in cruise!
When I've been getting home from work I've been doing a flying tour of Africa from London to Cairo, Khartoum, Entebbe and Dar es Salaam.
I manage to squeeze some work in whilst I'm in cruise!
This bread recipe never fails. Been using the same one for over a decade now.
June 1, 2025 at 7:33 PM
This bread recipe never fails. Been using the same one for over a decade now.
Top draw Sunday up here in Norfolk.
June 1, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Top draw Sunday up here in Norfolk.
School is back tomorrow and that means CPD is back too! This week we're looking at planning for ratio.
June 1, 2025 at 4:31 PM
School is back tomorrow and that means CPD is back too! This week we're looking at planning for ratio.
I've wanted a writing / reading desk which is separate from my work / computer desk for a while. I decided today was the day to get it set up and I am very happy with the result.
Somewhere to think without a screen!
Somewhere to think without a screen!
May 31, 2025 at 1:16 PM
I've wanted a writing / reading desk which is separate from my work / computer desk for a while. I decided today was the day to get it set up and I am very happy with the result.
Somewhere to think without a screen!
Somewhere to think without a screen!
But it’s nice to be home. I might daydream about living in Helsinki (or Berlin or Tallinn or Portland) but Norwich will always be home.
May 31, 2025 at 6:52 AM
But it’s nice to be home. I might daydream about living in Helsinki (or Berlin or Tallinn or Portland) but Norwich will always be home.
I’m back from a few days in Helsinki. 🇫🇮
It remains my favourite city in Europe.
I went to three saunas, swam in the Baltic, drank black coffee and read on the tram.
It remains my favourite city in Europe.
I went to three saunas, swam in the Baltic, drank black coffee and read on the tram.
May 31, 2025 at 6:50 AM
I’m back from a few days in Helsinki. 🇫🇮
It remains my favourite city in Europe.
I went to three saunas, swam in the Baltic, drank black coffee and read on the tram.
It remains my favourite city in Europe.
I went to three saunas, swam in the Baltic, drank black coffee and read on the tram.
Heading back from Helsinki today. The flight from Schipol to Norwich is less than an hour so I’ll get to live 22.30 - 22.40 twice over today.
I’ll have to find something to do with my extra ten minutes of life.
I’ll have to find something to do with my extra ten minutes of life.
May 30, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Heading back from Helsinki today. The flight from Schipol to Norwich is less than an hour so I’ll get to live 22.30 - 22.40 twice over today.
I’ll have to find something to do with my extra ten minutes of life.
I’ll have to find something to do with my extra ten minutes of life.
24 hours in Riga 🇱🇻
I love this city, how could you not? Spring only makes it better. 🌿
I love this city, how could you not? Spring only makes it better. 🌿
May 26, 2025 at 6:37 PM
24 hours in Riga 🇱🇻
I love this city, how could you not? Spring only makes it better. 🌿
I love this city, how could you not? Spring only makes it better. 🌿
The half-term trip starts today.
🛫🇱🇻🇫🇮🛬
🛫🇱🇻🇫🇮🛬
May 25, 2025 at 9:27 AM
The half-term trip starts today.
🛫🇱🇻🇫🇮🛬
🛫🇱🇻🇫🇮🛬
I was going through some old photos and came across this one from the Liberal Education Student Conference in Germany back in 2016.
This is me with some super cool people I met from St Petersburg University.
It's not a photo we could take today. I don't think the world is better now.
This is me with some super cool people I met from St Petersburg University.
It's not a photo we could take today. I don't think the world is better now.
May 24, 2025 at 2:56 PM
I was going through some old photos and came across this one from the Liberal Education Student Conference in Germany back in 2016.
This is me with some super cool people I met from St Petersburg University.
It's not a photo we could take today. I don't think the world is better now.
This is me with some super cool people I met from St Petersburg University.
It's not a photo we could take today. I don't think the world is better now.
A very good and very normal day in the world of AI.
Another reason why I've decided to abstain from AI as far as humanly possible. I don't trust it, not just because LLMs outright lie and fabricate but I fundamentally do not trust it not to become an existential threat.
Another reason why I've decided to abstain from AI as far as humanly possible. I don't trust it, not just because LLMs outright lie and fabricate but I fundamentally do not trust it not to become an existential threat.
May 23, 2025 at 5:12 PM
A very good and very normal day in the world of AI.
Another reason why I've decided to abstain from AI as far as humanly possible. I don't trust it, not just because LLMs outright lie and fabricate but I fundamentally do not trust it not to become an existential threat.
Another reason why I've decided to abstain from AI as far as humanly possible. I don't trust it, not just because LLMs outright lie and fabricate but I fundamentally do not trust it not to become an existential threat.
Was listening to the Cal Newport podcast episode “Is Inbox Zero possible?” this week.
I’m incredibly pleased to say that for this exhausted assistant principal heading into half-term, it is. 📥
I’m incredibly pleased to say that for this exhausted assistant principal heading into half-term, it is. 📥
May 23, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Was listening to the Cal Newport podcast episode “Is Inbox Zero possible?” this week.
I’m incredibly pleased to say that for this exhausted assistant principal heading into half-term, it is. 📥
I’m incredibly pleased to say that for this exhausted assistant principal heading into half-term, it is. 📥
Good morning from my garden where I do my 6.15 reading. The climbing roses are in full bloom at the moment.
May 23, 2025 at 5:28 AM
Good morning from my garden where I do my 6.15 reading. The climbing roses are in full bloom at the moment.
Exciting times for coaching at GYPA. We are launching drop-ins after half-term with @steplab.bsky.social and piloting our first cycle of instructional coaching.
I've spent my day recovering from the dentist's medieval tools writing our handbooks.
I've spent my day recovering from the dentist's medieval tools writing our handbooks.
May 22, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Exciting times for coaching at GYPA. We are launching drop-ins after half-term with @steplab.bsky.social and piloting our first cycle of instructional coaching.
I've spent my day recovering from the dentist's medieval tools writing our handbooks.
I've spent my day recovering from the dentist's medieval tools writing our handbooks.
Was served up this highlight on Readwise today and I think it’s incredibly apt as we come to the end of the half-term.
I’ll be putting this to the top of my mind throughout Summer 2, the part of the year I always struggle most with.
I’ll be putting this to the top of my mind throughout Summer 2, the part of the year I always struggle most with.
May 21, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Was served up this highlight on Readwise today and I think it’s incredibly apt as we come to the end of the half-term.
I’ll be putting this to the top of my mind throughout Summer 2, the part of the year I always struggle most with.
I’ll be putting this to the top of my mind throughout Summer 2, the part of the year I always struggle most with.
If it makes you feel better, this was my board this morning.
May 20, 2025 at 2:12 PM
If it makes you feel better, this was my board this morning.
Reader, he passed! 🎉
May 17, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Reader, he passed! 🎉