My view of Teach First was always its aim should be to no longer be required-whilst TFs rationale often seemed to be the opposite. Despite the rhetoric the idea of the most ‘disadvantaged’ schools getting large numbers of rapidly ‘trained’ inexperienced‘teachers’ is questionable.

Just thinking about the polarity of Direct Instruction debates. You can’t enquire about nothing. Plus, you can’t memorise your way to wonder.

And just like that. See you next week #TOTP

Teachfirst is the worst model. It only survived because it was funded.

Whoah…

Rise in school exclusions in England including among pupils six or younger. Maybe it’s time to appoint someone with the ability to advise and inform schools on effectively managing behaviour. An expert, a guru, some kind of tsar? Wait… theguardian.com/education/2025…

To me, German researchers are leading the way in instructional science.

I don't think evolutionary edu psychology is completely useless, R.Dal has some good thoughts on it, but there is a group of people who mainly seem to like it because it gives a veneer of 'hard' science for their much softer social science.

Quite happy to see Teach First change, it always came across as rich kids proselytising to poor kids nonsense, was far too costly in terms of getting teachers in and staying in classrooms and seemed more like a career move into politics and management for too many of them.

The idea that Russell Group grads will make better teachers is the biggest nonsense in the world. You're excluding 1000s that could be amazing teachers for no reason.

An article that falls into worse traps than the one it tries to critique. Plus, claiming a monopoly on “evidence-informed” remains a key downfall.

👀Today’s thought provoking #sundaypoll👀👀 Are extreme zero tolerance school policies disproportionately aimed at controlling the boys who they think can't self-regulate, leading to negative impacts like increased school avoidance for girls and SEND pupils?

Teach First: Labour plans recruitment scheme revamp I’ve only ever known one colleague from TeachFirst, who you guessed it didn’t stay in teaching. schoolsweek.co.uk/labour-plans-t…

“focus on recruiting graduates who are “committed” to teaching for the long term” The school day needs to be fixed. The increase in teaching time and reduced break time has increased term fatigue. It’s unsustainable for new entrants. schoolsweek.co.uk/labour-plans-t…

I was once in a DM group. It was a riot and lots of fun letting off steam and general tomfoolery alongside some cracking debates. However, an echo chamber begins to restrict one’s thought horizon.

Perhaps the most significant thing about right-wingers claiming that Oasismania is about nostalgia for a white Britain, is that they don't understand the appeal of Oasis or the cultural changes going on in Britain at the time. 🧵

Absolutely. Looking back it was a very different England. 😢

So blessed to be living on the (south) coast.🥰 Not so much blessed by sunburn though 🥴

My boy no longer holds my hand and although that’s a normal part of growing I still miss it. Today we waded out some way and as he lost his footing on the seabed he threw his arms around me and grabbed me so tight it took me back years. Was a wonderful moment.