To give you an example of what we're up against as teachers, Ofsted published a PPT slide claiming that toilet training is just a 'knowledge progression'. This is plainly nonsense. They published another slide saying babies had to 'know shapes' before using a shape sorter. This is clearly bollocks.

They're literally using all the same people to advise them as the Tories did so it's no surprise that nothing has changed but it is a big disappointment given the current situation.

Of course none of this is to deny the impact of these behaviours on teachers. You will often find me saying to the staff in our setting that it must be very difficult and draining for them when they're supporting children who struggle to behave appropriately. But we work as a team to find solutions.

It's becoming impossible to deny (a) the levels of needs we are seeing in settings and schools (b) the issues with attendance and exclusion rates and (c) that rigid approaches don't align with an inclusive system. Something has to change. We have to work with the children and families as they are.

We've got a new preschool leader starting soon and I was very happy to be able to tell her that we don't care what Ofsted say because our children are happy, well cared for and included. Focus on the important things.

"Be confident to try new activities and show independence, resilience and perseverance in the face of challenge."

"Show sensitivity to their own and to others’ needs."

*Looks around at all the adults singularly failing to do these.* 😒

For me 'discovery learning' is the very definition of early years. Create an enabling environment, give children the agency to discover things within caring relationships, build on their interests, help them learn skills and inspire them to want to understand more about their world! ☺️ #EduSky

✅ Move from "telling" to "asking."

✅ Empower their middle and senior leaders to become effective coaches.

✅ Build a culture of trust and professional growth.

Find out more about building a coaching culture that sticks: films.myattandco.com/programs/big...

What's interesting is how external bodies like Ofsted and the DfE also use high levels of control to make the case that there is a correct, scientised way to approach education. Hence the high levels of control we see over things like curriculum, pedagogy, testing and what new teachers are taught.

One of my favourite NHS quotes on the topic is this one. "Children under 5 should not be inactive for long periods, except when they're asleep." Evidence matters! ☺️ #EduSky

We don't tend to think about ergonomics very much in education but if we did the classrooms we and the children work in would look very different. Writing slopes and standing desks would be much healthier for our learners if we weren't always so focused on the cognitive over the physical. 🤷‍♀️

The idea that yet another test is going to help anyone close gaps in outcomes is obviously ridiculous. The underlying message to the sector is that we're not trying hard enough while she wants to claim any improvements for herself. Very disappointing indeed.

Imho there are way too many tests to 'prove' progression and any new curriculum needs to balance young people's wellbeing, development and learning ahead of rigour and 'driving up high standards'. Give children (and their educators) a bit of breathing space please. 🙏🏻

That ‘people are tired of experts’ quote from Gove a few years ago rattles around in my head a lot, because it’s SUCH a stupid attitude. Experts are brilliant. Let’s give them ALL the airtime.

It's all a bit dour, focused on efficiency and rigour and metrics and all those almost military sounding words, when we would do well to remember that in settings and schools we work with *children* and the time they spend with us is a huge part of their actual *childhood*. Let's include some joy!