Educator, speaker, school improvement facilitator & curator of the 'Finding my Voice' project.
Passionate about supporting the most vulnerable to succeed...
My daughter is excited for virtual school tomorrow. She is 11 and has an audition for The Tempest. Schools are not shut, my daughter is not falling behind and teachers are ace.🙌🏽💪🏽👌🏽❤️
In Starbucks and the man in front was told he couldn't pay cash. He didn't have any cards so I jumped in and paid.
Got to my turn. Ordered two drinks. Went to pay and the man serving me looked up, smiled and said,
'On the house'.
My heart 💓
#kindnessripple
My daughter came home from school, had a disco in her room and explained that it was to celebrate being back in school. That teachers, is the power of your profession.
Thank you ❤️
@RaeSnape
Without my daughter's school keeping going through every storm this year I honestly would not have coped.
Teachers you have no idea what you've achieved. You are our nation's axis and we thank you 🙏🏽❤️🙌🏽
The 'behaviour crisis'
I too have seen a post COVID deterioration in behaviour in schools (particularly secondary).
My thoughts and some strategies/mindsets I have found useful...
*Trigger warning, ref to suicide.
Yr 10 daughter
'They told us at school we're the worst behaved year group.
...
Shame they didn't click we were one of the most affected by the lockdowns.'
Asked my daughter why she was reading two books rather than one at a time. She replied,
"So I don't get that horrible sad feeling when I finish a book. I literally never have to suffer that."
Love her ♥️
@RaeSnape
@MichaelRosenYes
I heard today that a pupil I know went on a trip to Dartmoor and had commented that it was the first time she'd left the city.
Not everything that's important is measurable.
My daughter's teacher is putting in adjustments to support her sensory needs and making them whole class so she doesn't feel singled out.
'They all need to move regularly, so why not?'
🙏🏽❤️☺️
Today my daughter's teacher emailed me IN HER LUNCH BREAK to tell me that my marvellous munchkin (who finds spelling super hard) had got 10/10 in her test.
That world, is what teaching in a worldwide pandemic looks like.
🙏❤️👊🏽
@RaeSnape
I rarely 'quote tweet' negatively. But
@educationgovuk
this is simply not true. Ask any secondary school.
Plus the term 'fallen behind' is abhorrent. Young people are not in a race and if they were the SAT's would be the least effective way to measure...
SATs play a key role in helping to identify pupils’ strengths or where they may have fallen behind as they head to secondary school.
Here's everything parents need to know about SATs, including how we develop the tests and why they're important ⬇️
Can't stop crying.
✅EHCP agreed.
✅1:1 funding agreed.
So grateful to our amazing county case worker, who listened, understood and fought for our precious daughter. We will never forget your kindness, compassion and dedication. ❤️
I am *that* parent.
The one that messages constantly about small things.
To my daughter these are big things.
So big that they dominate our world.
Blessed that her school love her and understand us.
Please be as compassionate to *that* parent 🙏🏼
When I was in teacher training was stunned by the negativity in the staffroom. To me it was utterly I comprehensible that adults could be so negative about the best job in the world.
I swore I would never be like them...🤞
Just found out that my beautiful 46 year old sister in law who has been trying for a baby for many, many years has given birth to a healthy baby boy!!!!
Put that in your Sunday night blues and smoke it!!!!!
Some kids lives are so hard they deserve an award for just turning up to school.
I am truly in awe and utterly humbled by these unsung heroes.
@RaeSnape
@RogersHistory
One of my pupils this week expressed that my advice (that I'd forgotten I'd given) is working,
'I do it Rachel. Just before I go to sleep, I think of one good thing I am proud of myself for that day. I say-well done me.
I go to sleep proud.'
Well done me! 😉🫣🥹
Today my daughter let me sit in full view for her carol service. She smiled at me. I smiled at her.
Her school have loved her and grown her and finally she can comfortably let her two worlds collide and smile.
So grateful ❤️
I have to speak up. We have a movement in education which is damaging our children. Context specific approaches are just that, context specific. Blueprinting an edu-famous school and shoe horning it's approach into a vastly different context is not ok. One size does not fit all.
It really worries me when schools are selling themselves in job adverts with, 'No planning required.' To those in the know it translates as... (in robot voice) 'We are a federation. You turn up. We tell you what to do. What to say. How to think...
Sell your soul...' 🙋😵
We celebrate high grades with an understandable narrative of commending the 'hard work'. However this is problematic for those who received lower grades with equally 'hard work'.
Thread: Preserving Primary pedagogy.
A response to recent guidance from Ofsted.
It has taken me a while to find the right words but it's sometimes important to say it how it is...
My eldest has been blown away by a chemistry experiment today. My youngest learnt about Buddhism and thinks meditating could help her when she is anxious.
This is education ❤️✨
To the man in my local wine shop who saw me, sat me on an arm chair, put my feet on a wine box, handed me glass of white and said, 'Well done you'.
I thank you.❤️ 😭🙏🏽
I believe that COVID recovery is a very complicated balancing act. We need to be persistently ambitious for our learners academic outcomes, whilst also remembering we are human first, staff and pupils alike.
🙏🏽
Young people are on their phones into the night. Many of the young people past midnight. Their curious minds take them into dangerous worlds. They crave connection but they get confusion and loneliness.
They are permanently tired and overstimulated.
Education. Please don't feel a dread for tomorrow feel proud.
My life has changed dramatically because my children are back at school. They are happy, fulfilled and vibrant humans again.
It's not about catch up, it's about community.
Thank you and be proud 🙏🙌🏼
@RaeSnape
The last month has been a challenge. My husband has been a rock. He is an incredible Dad.
Today we drove our precious big girl to the beach and I caught a moment.
Blessed beyond measure. ❤️
My daughter is so excited about school tomorrow. The last lockdown was tough.
I thank everyone in education for the difference you are making to our young people. It's not about learning, it's keeping a community alive.
Forever grateful to every single one of you.❤️🙏
@RaeSnape
My daughter hated swimming
My daughter was moved to the 'top group'
My daughter now loves swimming
My daughter thinks she's in the 'top group' turns out she's not
My daughter loves swimming
@RaeSnape
Spoke to my daughter's case worker today who I have been trying to get hold of for over a week regarding her changing medical needs.
He apologised informing me he is a case worker for over 500 EHCP's.
500.
Five hundred.
Utterly scandalous and completely heartbreaking. 💔
Morning,
Finally home after a 12 night stint in hospital with our precious eldest.
Thank you for all your messages of support and prayers.
Our NHS saved our daughter's life and then held us tight with wisdom and enduring kindness.
Grateful beyond words.
🙏🏼
Today will start with a session with my therapist. I feel more nervous than I should sharing this. There is no shame in making sense of the past to grow a better future. I am not broken, I am healing and stronger than ever.
Seek support and talk about it.
#WorldMentalHealthDay
Belonging
Young people feel more need to belong with their peers than the adults interact with them.
Social media has made this 'belonging' more urgent and more complex than ever before.
Snapchat streaks and totals are a measure of someone's popularity. Low score=low status.
It's vital that we road test our curriculum. Shadowing a child for a day, completing their routines and work whilst experiencing the cognitive demand should be a central part of evaluation.
Every year I support Heads with the extreme stress of impending inspections and also work to pick them up after.
There are almost always tears.
Results 'Good' or 'Bad' the toll is great.
Ruth it wasn't you, it was the system.
❤️
Beautiful moment today.
The boy believed he couldn't. The teacher believed he could. She calmly scaffolded.
He did.
He smiled.
She smiled
I (of course) cried.
Love teachers soooo much❤️
14 years ago during my NPQH residential I had to introduce the guest speaker. My then colleagues gave 'feedback' on yellow post it's.
I remember 2 comments clearly:
Too nice.
Clothes too whacky.
I carried that for years but now, 14 years later, I look back with pride...
Absolutely blown away by the number of children who didn't leave the house ALL half term. Teacher's, we are more than the National Curriculum we are the door to life...
@RaeSnape
@RossMcGill
@ABCDoes
Boundaries
This is often construed as a negative term as it can be seen as control, taking away agency. People respond to it in a very emotional way but in fact we all crave and need boundaries. We need to reframe the term rather than become polarised in debate...
At the end of an amazing academic year, I am honoured to announce that I have been awarded Fellowship status with
@CharteredColl
.
So grateful to all my incredible colleagues who understand and support my work and to the precious young people who provide my purpose.
🙏🏽✨
Education defines a child not meeting national expectations.
Her Mum defines a creative, free spirit who will not have her narrative written for her...
My daughter got 67% in her science test. This is exceptional progress.
What did she put her success down too?
'I remembered it all from our practicals Mummy'.
Abstract made concrete. Beautiful learning ✨
They don't like me...
The number one reason young people give me for challenging behaviour. They take challenge as outright rejection. Talking about what the teacher is trying to achieve for all supports a shift away from the personal.
A, 'I do like you' goes a million miles too.
5 years ago today I said goodbye to my dear friend, inspiration and conscience Sam.
She lived a, 'be the change' life. She taught me to dream big, to speak the truth and to advocate for passionately for others.
My annual reminder to, 'be more Sam'.❤️🙏🏽
I recently spoke to a class of year 11's about mental health. 100% of the boys had struggled with it. When I asked how many had spoken about their struggles, the answer was 0. Zero.
Oracy
If the only time I have a voice is with my peers. It is that voice which defines me.
A voice in lessons which is heard and valued enables me to grow a strong identity as a curious learner.
This positively counteracts the warped identity I may be creating online.
@RetirementTales
You answered 'home dinners' on the register.
Not to be confused with 'pub dinners' which was on Friday, for teachers, for chips and beer.
Male mental health
Boys particularly are struggling more than ever before. This is worldwide. A rebellion to self empower and regain a sense of positive identity is tangible. It is evident in Andrew Tate's worldwide following and it is evident in boys behaviour.
A quick selfie of a very happy girl on her way home from the
@MyattandCo
gathering.
So grateful to be part of such meaningful work with an incredible team ❤️
🪡The missing piece...
Behind closed doors this week has been very tough for our family. This experience has given me the final push I needed to say some stuff about education which has been weighing heavy on my heart...
My parents sent me flowers, my husband is waiting on my every need and my friends and colleagues have been so kind. I thank this illness for reminding me how rich and beautiful the relationships in my life are.❤️
Boundaries as a collective respect...
Young people accountable to the whole school (including 'the tribe') rather than a perceived authority is, in my experience, is far more effective.
Great explicit teaching around boundaries is all reaching and helps to reframe.
Last night I watched a play with a central theme around domestic abuse. I haven't stopped thinking about it all day. If you are walking on egg shells, are made to feel everything is your fault and your home is not your sanctuary, please reach out. Life can be different. 🙏🏽
Communication online is stilted and awkward. Where a minor disagreement in the past would be fleeting. Now 'Go kill yourself' is the go to insult. They screen shot it and it hurts deeply.
The verbal insults and out right bullying are prolific.
Being a parent of a child who doesn't fit the mould involves constantly being faced with prejudice that you hoped didn't exist. Repeatedly broken hearted, angry and lost. Society we need to get better at equity for all...
A one size fits all model needs to be challenged.
We need to sit beside our children and respond appropriately.
Children are our most precious commodity. Let's not reduce their journey but keep it beautiful, memorable and impactful.
🙏🏽
We live opposite the doctors. This morning since 7am there has been a buzzy hubbub of excited voices as the elderly rock on up for their vaccine. This is hope.❤️🎄
My story
The lives of the yp whom I work with are often very grown up, challenging and sometimes tragic.
They crave being seen, someone taking an interest in who they are.
COVID catch-up has stolen much of the pastoral time and students have less time than ever to be them.
📢Join us for a free LIVE Eventbrite session to launch Finding my Voice!!
📢Myself,
@MaryMyatt
,
@MannyAwo
and
@cfoleypoetry
will be introducing the headlines of the whole school personal development and Oracy approach on the 16th October at 5.30pm...
After 2 sleepless nights with ill offspring I was clearly a mess in Waitrose today.
After a run of embarrassing, chaotic incidents one of the team came up to me at the checkout with these flowers and said, 'We hope your day gets better.'
How beautiful is that ❤️
Morning all,
Just popping back to say I have been in hospital with my eldest since last Friday. Whilst it has been brutal the beautiful
#NHS
have held us with wisdom and love ❤️
May be slower to respond than usual to anything work related. Thank you for your patience 🙏🏼
🧵What the world needs now...
There is so much noise at the moment. Sometimes it's so deafening I shut down. Much of the noise has a personal and professional overlap for me. I am torn between shouting into the abyss and finding an island far away.
Today a thread...
So my youngest went to school today happy AND came home happy. That's the difference a 1:1 can make. Feel like we're in a new chapter and our book has suddenly become more optimistic.❤️
🧵The new world- a curriculum response.
Our young people live in a world we can't see. This world has few rules, no agreed social codes and breeds a perception of self and of others which is based on tenuous and often false assumptions.
🧵Since stepping out of education as a serving member of staff I have dedicated a lot of time to trying to find solutions for challenges for colleagues in school.
Seven years ago I started the Finding my Voice project. The work had results way beyond what I could have hoped for.
We need to take more time to understand the way in which EYFS and Primary children grow and learn.
We need to change the lens from secondary to a journey. A journey where a child's learning is based on ambitious, challenging and age appropriate learning...
A book does not demonstrate knowledge, skills or even quality of education. It purely demonstrates a child's ability to record, copy or regurgitate.
Please
@Ofstednews
don't judge the quality of education in this way. The only result will be more broken teachers and bored kids.
Beautiful learning ( 🙏🏽
@MaryMyatt
) is being more mindful in what you use to support learning.
A fascinating artefact, a visit, a stunning book combined with a powerful structure of questions and classroom talk can support learning so much better than a diet of pure PowerPoint.
There is a tangible tension in schools this week. It's made me feel very sad.
Oh the irony that SATs conicide with Mental Health Awareness week.
@RaeSnape
There are many children I know who will have survived the Christmas break desperate to return to a loving environment where they matter. We need to make schools safer for teachers not shut them and put more children at risk. 🙏
The permanent state of anxiety Heads live under is wrong. Both detrimental to their personal mental health and also to the strategic direction of their school.
Reform 🙏🏽
Last night my daughter couldn't sleep because of the heat. To cool down we went and sat in the garden and watched the stars.
A good reminder that good can come from what seems like bad. 😉🙌🏽❤️
Twitterers,
A lot of schools I am working in preparing for probable closure. What VL resources can people recommend please for students to still access teaching, learning and exam prep (eek) from home?
Thanks in advance 🙏
@RaeSnape
@HannayJeremy
@TeacherToolkit
Primary pedagogy is a much misunderstood art. Supporting children to grow in an environment which is rich with beautiful learning, ambitious and age appropriate is no mean feat. Primary teachers make this look easy, it's not.