iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

In praise of English Literature (as we are likely to have a new PM who read the subject at university): Margaret Atwood via @theknowledgenews.bsky.social

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Brilliant to be reminded of undiluted human ingenuity and the power of education at last night’s production of #TheBoyWhoHarnessedTheWind - the true story of the inspiring #WilliamKamkwamba. At Soho Place theatre, London, it’s the perfect show for young people, full of music, movement & puppetry

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Thought for the day (from our walk in Bildeston, #Suffolk, today:

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Just when we thought the news couldn't get much worse ... (via @apiln.bsky.social)

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

The joy of annotated road signs (via @theguardian.com letters page) …

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

Da-dah .... Roll of drums ... Here's the Christmas 2025 Barton Bookshelf: 10 books that have entertained, disturbed, provoked or transported me in recent months - 5 fiction / 5 non-fiction. Full notes on my LinkedIn page. Enjoy!

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

Just finished Ian McEwan’s latest. At first I wasn’t sure about it. I liked the dystopian stuff, but didn’t care about the people, the narrative. Then part 2 kicks in and it all coheres - a haunting exploration of memory, storytelling, the intersection of our past & present. Superb #BartonBookshelf

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

A helpful letter from school trust leaders in @thetimes.com on the need to reform the current SEND system so that it better serves the needs of the young people it was designed to support: www.thetimes.com/comment/lett...

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

Looking forward to heading back to my old stomping ground of York tomorrow for the 'English: Shared Futures' conference, where I'll join Dr Tom F. Wright & the indefatigable @barbarableiman.bsky.social to discuss - of course! - the liberating power of oracy education englishsharedfutures.org

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Apropos nothing: in response to “I’m good” … @theguardian.com

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

For @unesco.org’s International #Arts Week, I talked to leaders, pupils and an actor at Abington Vale School, Northampton, about their respective experience of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s ‘First Encounters’ production of ‘The Tempest’. Interviews here: www.rsc.org.uk/news/geoff-b...

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

With the arrival of @unesco.bsky.social's International Arts Week, this piece by @thatdanstewart.bsky.social @financialtimes.com on the decline of music is both entertaining and sobering (via @theweek.com):

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

Poignant and uplifting today to celebrate the life of an extraordinary headteacher, Adrian Williams, CBE. Adrian was a brilliant communicator, tireless in seeing schools as integral to their communities, and a great role-model to me. Today’s event was a reminder of the influence of great leaders.

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Not sure how I’ve spent this long on the planet without knowing about the National Poetry Library at the South Bank Centre, London. It’s wonderful.

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

The view from here: my day starts pretty much as every day starts - Molly B snoozing loudly as I grab 30 minutes or so of pure reading time. And this Taylor Jenkins Reid novel is an absolute gem. #BartonBookshelf

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

And so, you ask, has DJ Geoffy B put together an Easter megamix of music and jingles? Well, funny you should ask ... www.mixcloud.com/GeoffyB/gb-n...

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Strike a pose: Molly B had a haircut today, then fell asleep in the sun. Obviously. Have a relaxing weekend, all.

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

The Cultural Learning Alliance's 2025 Report Card is out. It notes "a long-term dismantling of the infrastructure that supports young people to benefit from Arts and culture – with the most marginalised bearing the brunt of a decline": www.culturallearningalliance.org.uk/wp-content/u...

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

No trip to Cambridge is complete without a visit to Jack’s Gelato, an amazing local ice-cream maker. And today they embraced the 1st April vibe, brilliantly.

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

“The wealth of bands, orchestras, concerts and gigs we see today isn’t a predictor of our musical future, it’s a reflection of our educational past”: powerful @theguardian.com letter on the bleak decline of music in state schools …

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

The view from here: great pleasure today to attend the @voice21oracy.bsky.social ‘Speaking Summit,’ reflecting on the next stage of our #oracy journey. Well done to @kateparadine.bsky.social & team. A bonus to bump into oracy commissioner Jeffrey Boakye:

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

Really enjoyed listening to fellow RSC trustee @oldfortunatus.bsky.social talking about Shakespeare's occasional co-author Thomas Middleton in BBCRadio 4's 'In Our Time' www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m.... But also laughed out loud at this passage from her book 'This is Shakespeare' about the 'Dream'

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

Behaviour management: after 6 years of telling a border terrier never to get on a bed …

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

Today, more than 700 representatives from across the arts & education world signed an open letter in @thetimes.com, calling for more opportunities for arts education for every child from every background. I was pleased to sign on behalf of the @oracycommission.bsky.social

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

The view from here: sitting in a deckchair (yes, a deckchair, in early March!) in our sun-drenched #Suffolk garden, Molly B on my lap, reading this exquisite novel (bought yesterday at the ever-brilliant Aldeburgh Bookshop). I don’t take for granted how fortunate I am.

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Ouch! A deliciously waspish @theguardian.com letter about JRR Tolkien …

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

Ever the teacher. Happy St David’s Day.

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

What the postman brought: with heartfelt thanks to all my @ascl-uk.bsky.social friends and colleagues …

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

The politics of punctuation, in today’s @theguardian.com letters …

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

I'm reading this rather charming book about the history of radio and was taken by this sentence from the early days of the BBC: "The programme billing in an early Radio Times: 'If there is any news, it will be broadcast at 9 pm'" Imagine that: "If there is any news ..." Never such innocence again.

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

Last night, my great friend and former colleague Eithne Hughes @ascl-uk.bsky.social went to see the RSC’s new production of ‘Hamlet’. We loved it. And this review by Mark Lawson captures its qualities perfectly: www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/f...

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

Wonderful to welcome leadership legend @evelynforde1.bsky.social for lunch here in our #Suffolk village today

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

The view from here: our walk in our patch of west Suffolk today …

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

Everybody's still talking about #oracy: my recent visit to Ely College, exploring how - in an age when everyone is cross about everything - we can help young people to learn how to disagree agreeably ... www.itv.com/watch/news/l...

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

The view from here: a great pleasure today to visit pupils and staff at St Catherine’s School, Bramley, Surrey, and to meet in person their wonderful, indefatigable headmistress, Alice Phillips

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

Midweek uplift: in a Westminster pizza restaurant tonight, a group of former students came across to say hello. I last saw them in 2003. They all now work in the city. Such is the influence of great schools - eg the wonderful comprehensive I was privileged to lead: King Edward VI School, #Suffolk

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Thanks to @rachelquick.bsky.social and all the team at the Wherry School, Norwich, for a fascinating and uplifting visit this morning. Loved learning about their great curriculum (ASSK - Autism Specific Skills & Knowledge). #Inspiring www.thewherryschool.co.uk/ASSK/

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

The view from here: Aldeburgh, #Suffolk, for our familiar walk and then to the ever-brilliant Lighthouse Restaurant for lunch

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

The view from here: a pleasure to spend this morning with students and staff at Ely College talking about … you guessed it … #oracy

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Trend-setters ... let's hear it for Geography teachers (via @theknowledgenews.bsky.social) ...

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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

I’m in London today … and so is this amazing RSC show … #KyotoPlay. Can’t recommend it highly enough.

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