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Refreshing to see this line in Prof Becky Francis's foreword to the Curriculum & Assessment Review call for evidence. Recognising that progress has been made and built on by successive governments of different parties sets a very helpful tone.

We're looking to appoint a Head of Professional Development Services - if you have strong organisational skills, an understanding of professional development in the #education sector, and lots of enthusiasm, we'd love to hear from you. ℹ ascl.org.uk/vacancies #recruitment

Fancy working with me and the rest of the fantastic ASCL team as our new Head of Professional Development Services? This is a great opportunity to join our newly created Strategy, Policy & PD Directorate, and lead the next phase of our PD business. DM me for a chat. #Edujobs

We’ll shortly be on the road with our regional Autumn Leadership Conferences. Join us to hear ASCL’s policy experts talk about what to expect from the new government on curriculum, assessment, inspection, funding, SEND, recruitment & retention and more 👇

Important point from ASCL Gen Sec Pepe Di’Iasio in this discussion. Much of the money provided for SEND never comes near the children who need it - not least because much of it is going to service loans LAs have had to take out to meet needs. The system needs a complete reset.

Strongly agree with Katie Ghose that SEND policy has suffered from being led by (albeit passionate) junior ministers, rather than being an SoS priority in recent years. I’d add that the churn in ministers with this remit has made the situation even worse.

I think this is spot on. It’s much easier to feel comfortable with your differences and to own your mistakes when you’ve reached a level of seniority. What can organisations do to help people feel the same degree of comfort about this earlier in their careers?

Excellent post from Sam Freedman on the reasons behind the SEND crisis. Spoiler: It’s not because of ‘the bureaucratic class’ dishing out unnecessary protections and benefits to children with mental health problems…

As a reminder, this is how we at ASCL would like to see report cards introduced: - based on a clear set of standards, set out in legislation - schools evaluated on whether or not they meet those standards - schools which don’t supported to do so ascl.org.uk/ASCL/media/ASC…

Great to speak to Shelagh Fogarty on LBC just now about the joys and challenges of teaching, and how schools can attract and retain teachers who are increasingly looking to work flexibly. vimeo.com/1034237543

"Getting [report cards] right is more important than doing it quickly" ASCL outlines why the timeline for Ofsted report needs to be extended and who should be running the process (clue: Not Ofsted). Excellent, clear column from Pepe Di’Iasio tes.com/magazine/analy…

In today's Tes, ASCL General Secretary Pepe Di’Iasio sets out our views on the introduction of new school report cards. Please read, and share if you agree. It's really important that we get this right. tes.com/magazine/analy…

"Report cards should be based on an agreed set of standards, determined by govt through legislation, in consultation with the sector. Those standards should not be developed by Ofsted." Pepe Di’Iasio with a fundamental point on the future of inspection. tes.com/magazine/analy…

I’m still smiling this morning after a wonderful evening at the Pearson National Teaching Awards Ceremony! Very proud to have become a trustee of this amazing charity. Thanks to the fantastic team and to the inspirational winners and nominees 👏 The Pearson National Teaching Awards #TeachingHeroes

This is well-put by Emma Knights on report cards: "Inspectors of course could look at an agreed published scorecard before arriving at the school; it might even help shape the focus of the inspection. But I’ve not seen any argument justifying it being the output of inspection."

I’ve just come to the end of my term as a trustee for River Learning Trust, a fantastic group of 28 schools in Oxfordshire & Swindon. The trust is now looking for two new trustees, with legal and/or AP experience. More info below 👇 riverlearningtrust.org/29/announcemen…

Huge congratulations, Baroness Mary Bousted and Anne Longfield! Delighted to hear this news.

Congratulations to all those being honoured for services to education, and particularly to ASCL’s inspirational former General Secretary Geoff Barton! So well deserved.

Right, enough is enough. Farewell X. I’m on Bluesky and LinkedIn - look forward to continuing (better) conversations there.