iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Alex Powley @alexpowley.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Great to see If Books Could Kill getting a mention in this article. Their criticism of Haidt's book is well researched and clearly conveyed. Very high quality podcast all-round.

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Carl Hendrick @carlhendrick.substack.com · 19/07/2025

12 New research papers worth knowing Subscribe for future updates ➡️ carlhendrick.substack.com/p/the-learni...

carlhendrick.substack.com

The Learning Brief: Research Worth Knowing - July 2025

A monthly roundup of new research on the science of learning for educators

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Stuart Lock @stulock.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

Sorry what? LAs will be able to encourage unlimited families to appeal against unsuccessful academy admissions (managed by the LA). Appeals panels volunteers. The academy will have to pay the LA £200 for every single one. www.tes.com/magazine/new... In one of my smaller schools this is £10k.

tes.com

DfE cuts admission appeals funding for academies

Academies fighting more than 20 admission appeals will no longer be able to claim towards the costs

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Evidence Based Education @evidencebased.education · 16/07/2025

High-quality teaching is for everyone. But what does it look like in the context of SEND? This guide provides questions teachers can use to shape collaborative conversations about teaching of learners with SEND, and signposts resources within the GTT. Download here buff.ly/MhyuMWV #EduSky

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Alex Powley @alexpowley.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

Saw a 'back to school' Tesco ad on the way home this evening. Can we not?

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Mike Cameron @mikercameron.bsky.social · 12/07/2025

Looking at this it seems possible that the “they all forget everything over the summer holidays” mantra is a myth. Fact is, they struggle to learn anything in the second half of the summer term.

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Carl Hendrick @carlhendrick.substack.com · 12/07/2025

Partial prior knowledge activation before instruction can be as effective as complete activation. V interesting in light of Rosenshine & activating prior knowledge. It seems you can overdo this. The general theory here seems to be; less pressure, same results. link.springer.com/article/10.1...

link.springer.com

Prior knowledge activation as preparation prior to instruction: does the coverage of relevant prior knowledge affect learning? - Instructional Science

Two-phase instructional designs such as Productive and Vicarious Failure employ preparatory activities before explicit instruction. It is assumed that during this preparatory activity, students need t...

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Michael Tidd @michaelt1979.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

National Curriculum for Y3/4 English: "Pupils should be taught to use the first 2 or 3 letters of a word to check its spelling in a dictionary" New DfE Writing Framework: "Pupils should not be asked to correct the spelling themselves by looking it up in a dictionary"

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Alex Powley @alexpowley.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

AntennaPod is a great app for podcasts if you're looking to change platforms.

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Jill Berry @jillberry102.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

Using AI in education settings: support materials: In case you missed it, newly published support materials from the Department for Education to help schools and colleges use AI safely and effectively: www.gov.uk/government/c...

gov.uk

Using AI in education settings: support materials

Support materials to help schools and colleges use AI (artificial intelligence) safely and effectively.

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Dan Morrow @moremorrow.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

The 2.8% isn’t fully funded and based on this assumption many schools and Trusts are facing the prospect of having to lower staffing numbers. 4% without additional funds will be an unmitigated disaster

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Chris Baker @drchriswb.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

If you Haven't Checked out my Podcast yet, I've had some Cracking Guests!! Spotify - shorturl.at/EGQq1 Apple - shorturl.at/bqX7L My Website - shorturl.at/Qcb5i

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InsightHQ @insighthq.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

In education governance, more data doesn't always mean better decisions. Governors need clarity, not complexity. In a new article, @jpembroke.bsky.social suggests that we need to shift the focus: from data deluge to meaningful dialogue. Read 'What Data do Governors Need?' here: buff.ly/TW6OqJa

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Alex Powley @alexpowley.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

A practical, focused checklist from @mrarobbins.bsky.social on designing CPD that sticks. The emphasis on clarity, reflection, and follow-up is useful. What would you add or leave out?

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Jon Hutchinson @jonhutchinson.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

Getting every kid reading in primary school is one of the most important things that teachers and leaders can do. So @emmaturner75.bsky.social and I spoke to @suchmo83.bsky.social for @mindthegappodcast.bsky.social to get the lowdown on fluency, myths and a whole lot more. youtu.be/DyrGjl-U2Xc?...

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Alex Powley @alexpowley.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

Totally - dependence on slides can limit flexibility, and that’s a real issue. But I think that’s where the original post risks overcorrecting: the issue isn’t using PowerPoint, it’s when its use isn’t aligned with curriculum thinking or well-designed lesson structures.

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Alex Powley @alexpowley.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

That’s a fair point—but I’m not sure the digital tools in question are a fad. If anything, they’ve become the default. The risk now is overcorrecting—framing analogue as inherently better, rather than looking at how both can support adaptive, responsive teaching.

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Alex Powley @alexpowley.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

Lots to agree with here—but I worry it risks framing digital as inherently poor practice. I've seen responsive, adaptive teaching with slides too. The issue isn't the tool, it's how it's used—and whether teachers have the time and freedom to use it well.

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Carl Hendrick @carlhendrick.substack.com · 18/04/2025

Worked examples help beginners. Problem-solving helps experts. But mixing correct and incorrect steps? The evidence is less clear. Incorrect examples may not always help—especially if students lack the prior knowledge to recognise and correct the mistake. www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15...

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Ross Young @writingrocks.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

Visualising The Science Of Writing: The Writing Map Explained writing4pleasure.com/2025/02/27/v... 🧵1/ Want to deepen your understanding of how children develop as writers? We’ve created a comprehensive Writing Map that visualises the science behind writing development….

writing4pleasure.com

Visualising The Science Of Writing: The Writing Map Explained

Because of formatting, we can recommend downloading the PDF version of this article: download this article This is a writing map we have started using in our professional development. We tried to c…

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Alex Powley @alexpowley.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

Yes to all of this. I think the challenge is weighting the evidence well. Children’s lived experience is vital—but so is noticing where adult narratives (staff, governors, parents etc) drift from what the system actually produces. That’s where things can get interesting.

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Alex Powley @alexpowley.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

I remember this too...such a ghoul.

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The Sutton Trust @suttontrust.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

🚨NEW: There has been a big spike in schools using funding for disadvantaged pupils to plug budget holes. Our new research reveals that more cash-strapped schools are cutting back on staff, trips and equipment than in 2024⤵️ 🧵

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Voice 21 @voice21oracy.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

Our Senior Learning and Innovation Lead Kathleen McBride continues her incredible work exploring how to support vocabulary development at the primary to secondary transition👇 voice21.org/oracy-vocabu...

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Alex Powley @alexpowley.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

I can't remember who said it, but I remember a YouTube video that put forward the theory that his dead-eyed smile is the product of algorithmic feedback from his video thumb nails...and I kinda believe it.

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Alex Powley @alexpowley.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

Really thought-provoking piece. POSIWID is a useful reminder: in school improvement, it’s not enough to have a plan or list of actions. What matters is what those actions actually lead to. If they’re not shifting practice or outcomes, the system isn’t doing what we think it is.

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Alex Powley @alexpowley.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

Picking up on a thread from elsewhere - School improvement often relies on a small group of high-capacity people doing a lot of heavy lifting. What makes that sustainable—or not? Interested in how others are tackling this in Trust or school-level work.

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Alex Powley @alexpowley.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Agreed—it’s become a really valuable space for thoughtful discussion, especially around curriculum and school improvement. The slower pace helps, I think—more time to reflect, less noise. Feels like a good place for deeper professional thinking to grow.

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Alex Powley @alexpowley.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Alex Quigley’s recent piece on ‘detecting voltage drops’ in school improvement really resonated. The idea that scaling initiatives can lead to diminishing returns is a key challenge. It’s a reminder that sustainable change needs to be carefully managed—not just expanded.

alexquigley.co.uk

School Improvement: Detecting Voltage Drops

Making change in education is hard. Making a change at scale is even harder. Whether it is a new secondary school, growing their departments and staff, or a school trust mushrooming in size, this type...

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Freddie Whittaker @fcdwhittaker.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Important investigation from @rosafurneaux.bsky.social Cash-strapped councils have in the past year paid £18.1 million to private special schools that have repeatedly failed standards inspections schoolsweek.co.uk/councils-spl...

schoolsweek.co.uk

Councils splurge £18m on private SEND with repeated failures

Millions funnelled in just one year to settings that have failed independent school standards

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Alex Powley @alexpowley.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

Disappointed to hear @cstvoice.bsky.social are platforming someone like Jonathan Haidt. His overly reductionist views on social media are not helpful to the conversation of children's mental health.

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Alex Powley @alexpowley.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

Shanahan’s blog on comprehension has stayed with me. Even with time dedicated to it, I often see more checking for understanding than direct strategy teaching. What’s helping schools shift from evaluation to explicit instruction?

shanahanonliteracy.com

Are We Teaching Reading Comprehension? | Shanahan on Literacy

Are we teaching reading comprehension the right way? Explore expert perspectives from Shanahan on Literacy and improve reading strategies today!

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Ruth Swailes @ruthswailes.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Out today-so exciting ! Download your free copy. Written by practitioners and early years specialists, with links to @sirenfilms.bsky.social in each chapter and a foreward by @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social A must read for everyone working with young children. www.early-years-reviews.com/play-matters

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Peps @pepsmccrea.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

Two core ideas underpin effective inclusive teaching: 1. Cognitive similarity 2. Instructional sensitivity Let’s dig into both… ↓

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Alex Powley @alexpowley.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

I've been using AI to generate scenarios for CPD, helping teachers apply learning in context. It’s been useful for reinforcing key concepts, but I’m refining how to make them as effective as possible. Anyone else using AI for professional development? What’s worked (or not) for you?

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Alex Powley @alexpowley.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

Agreed—test conditions improve reliability and remove the independent writing issue in moderation. The challenge is ensuring they assess writing ability, not just topic familiarity. Though a shared stimulus could mitigate this.

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Alex Powley @alexpowley.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

The issues around KS2 Writing assessment are well-known, but if we were to move away from the current system, what would be a more reliable alternative? Marked writing tests? Comparative marking?

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Jonathan Mountstevens @mrmountstevens.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Today I will be playing the role of Cassandra. I've posted my responses to the Ofsted consultation on my blog in case they're helpful to others. Feel free to make use of them or ignore as you see fit, but make sure you respond. occamshairdryer.wordpress.com/2025/03/08/m...

occamshairdryer.wordpress.com

My response to the Ofsted consultation

I have posted these responses on my blog in case they are of use to anyone in formulating their own answers to the Ofsted consultation. If you agree with me, feel free to take passages and use them…

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Alex Powley @alexpowley.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Totally agree with this. Although using bottled/filtered water offers more bang for your buck, the quality of the grinder is the most transformative in terms of extracting flavour from coffee beans.

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Alex Powley @alexpowley.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

Wait. The 90's was only 10 years ago, right? Right??

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Becky Allen @profbeckyallen.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

🚀 Matthew Evans @head-teach.bsky.social and I have launched 100% Assessment, a Substack dedicated to exploring assessment in schools. We'll be posting weekly insights for everyone, from teachers through to Heads and Assessment Leads. Find us here - 100assessment.substack.com/about

100assessment.substack.com

About - 100% Assessment

Assessment insights for schools. Click to read 100% Assessment, a Substack publication. Launched an hour ago.

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Darren Leslie @dnleslie.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

The Becoming Educated Podcast is back. Listen to my conversation with @suchmo83.bsky.social now. We discuss the key themes from Primary Reading Simplified podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...

podcasts.apple.com

Primary Reading Simplified with Christopher Such

Podcast Episode · Becoming Educated · 18/02/2025 · 1h 13m

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