Sign in

Andy Jolley

@andyjolley.bsky.social
801 followers 734 following 4K posts

Evidence based school meals campaigner & former School Governor TBI survivor Interests include Education, Social Justice & Concussion in Rugby

PostsRepliesMedia
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 3h
Feel decidedly uncomfortable seeing all the consultancies popping up offering to help negotiate the upcoming changes to the School Food Standards I’m not even sure we have the final version yet DfE are failing badly if the changes are so complicated schools need to pay for an explanation
001
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 4h
Are we supposed to believe Man City went legit in 2018 & these scams suddenly stopped? If City want to be rehabilitated back into football, the Premier League must send in forensic auditors to check all recent finances Going forward City not only need to be clean, they need to be seen to be clean
000
Reposted by Andy Jolley
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 9h
This is a really positive move by Angela Eagle I’d love to see DfE build on the policy and pilot Community eligibility Properly fund schools in areas of high deprivation so they can provide free meals to all their pupils www.gov.uk/government/n...
gov.uk
Government acts on food insecurity and affordability with £10 million to put good food within reach
Almost £10 million will be invested in 45 communities across England to improve access to healthy, affordable food in areas with the highest levels of deprivation
002
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 7h
I went to visit my late father in his care home one evening His dinner consisted of three cream crackers with cheap pate & some wilted lettuce Then the owners of the care home pulled up in their Lamborghini Urus and it all made sense
011
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 9h
This is a really positive move by Angela Eagle I’d love to see DfE build on the policy and pilot Community eligibility Properly fund schools in areas of high deprivation so they can provide free meals to all their pupils www.gov.uk/government/n...
gov.uk
Government acts on food insecurity and affordability with £10 million to put good food within reach
Almost £10 million will be invested in 45 communities across England to improve access to healthy, affordable food in areas with the highest levels of deprivation
002
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 20h
Do they not read the report? “The honest conclusion, and the one this chapter adopts, is that universal free school meals are best defended as an equity-driven, cost of living transfer with genuine but secondary efficiency benefits, not as a programme that pays for itself on resource grounds alone”
100
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
My favourite solution to the Manchester City problem would be to tie the punishment period to the timeframe of when they broke the rules A 25 points deduction for each of the next nine seasons And nine years where they’re renamed “Manchester Cheats” on all league tables and club merchandise
100
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Proud dad moment My lads band are The Scotsman’s “Artist of the week”
040
Reposted by Andy Jolley
George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Here's today's column on the astonishing, ongoing mistreatment of people with #ME/CFS. Please spread it far and wide: the only thing which can break the media's wall of indifference is seeing an article about the issue go viral. Thank you. 1/2 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Abandoned, dismissed and gaslighted: there is no excuse for the way ME sufferers have been betrayed | George Monbiot
Changes in guidance and science seem to have little impact on millions of devastated lives. It’s a social crisis playing out behind closed doors, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
17925171711
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
What a way to win a game of rugby Fabulous from the Red Roses
030
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
What a way to win a game of rugby Fabulous from the Red Roses
000
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Can’t understand why BBC2 chose a repeat of 1961 Doris Day film over live coverage of the Red Roses v Black Ferns game They have the broadcast rights and it’s on Iplayer, but surely the interest in the women’s game would generate better ratings and bring in more supports
020
Reposted by Andy Jolley
Alex McKinstry @alexmckinstry.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Appalling chairing from the Mayor of Bournemouth, Roberto Rocca - allows his Reform group to kick Hanna's motion into the long grass via an amendment BEFORE it's been debated or even seconded; George Farquhar & other non-Reform councillors prevented from speaking on original motion
122
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Another bad experience with NHS Stood in a rabbit hole & fell over damaging my ankle Can’t bear weight, swollen & v tender Went to A&E, triaged to UTC side room, then after an hour was told by grumpy nurse I had a choice, wait a min 3.5 hours or come back in morning Hobsons choice!
110
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Why does the BBC have to be quiet so craven towards the royal family? The news is that a plane crashed and the pilots are okay and yet they feel the need to explain the tenuous link to Prince William
010
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Love it when a prediction comes true www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cyclin...
000
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
@vikkislademp.bsky.social @munirawilson.bsky.social Would it be possible for one of your team to message me, I have some information that may be of interest
000
Reposted by Andy Jolley
Tobias Wilson-Bates @phdhurtbrain.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Like our healthcare system or gentrified car culture the net result is a suburban upper-middle class that experiences privilege as a series of “smart choices” that, taken together, produce the net effect of accelerating inequality for those dependent on diminishing public resources.
07012
Reposted by Andy Jolley
Tobias Wilson-Bates @phdhurtbrain.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
“School choice” is pernicious inequality rebranded as a type of consumer-based freedom.
815926
Reposted by Andy Jolley
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Unintended consequences… Ending Transitional Protections was always going to end up with thousands of children no longer eligible for FSM Ministers like talking up the 500,000 newly eligible children but seem to be ignoring those who are losing their lunches
011
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Unintended consequences… Ending Transitional Protections was always going to end up with thousands of children no longer eligible for FSM Ministers like talking up the 500,000 newly eligible children but seem to be ignoring those who are losing their lunches
011
Reposted by Andy Jolley
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Here’s a Friday challenge for everyone Pick a random location, find the nearest school and check to see if the lunch menu is available on their website My bet is it’s on there somewhere
031
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
How is that not offside from Wakefield? #WakLei
001
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Here’s a Friday challenge for everyone Pick a random location, find the nearest school and check to see if the lunch menu is available on their website My bet is it’s on there somewhere
031
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Just one quick point on the new school food standards Some campaigners are making a big point about the fact schools will have to publish their menus I’ve looked at lots of schools & I’m yet to see one that doesn’t already have it on the website Is it an issue? Don’t schools already do this?
120
Reposted by Andy Jolley
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
It all gives the impression of being rather rushed Which is bizarre given DfE were in charge of the timing So it gets a C from me It’s okay as far as it goes, but a failure to address the funding issue or bring in proper monitoring could mean we won’t see any changes to children’s eating habits
031
Reposted by Andy Jolley
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I’ve had time to sit down & reflect on the new school meal standards, so I thought I’d post some of my thoughts Firstly the new standards don’t look too dissimilar to the old standards, we’ve not seen really groundbreaking changes. It’s more like a few tweaks in an effort to make schools healthier
111
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Up the Cherries
000
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I’ve had time to sit down & reflect on the new school meal standards, so I thought I’d post some of my thoughts Firstly the new standards don’t look too dissimilar to the old standards, we’ve not seen really groundbreaking changes. It’s more like a few tweaks in an effort to make schools healthier
111
Reposted by Andy Jolley
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Breakfast clubs are great, but will need the funding levels tweaking, especially with regards to SEND pupils and sites with limited capacity, may need to look at variable funding New standards are great, but ministers pretending healthy food isn’t more expensive is just delusional and has to stop
021
Reposted by Andy Jolley
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
To ensure the figures work, restore the survey of school meal costs, so ministers aren’t in the dark or worse, relying on campaign groups for information Introduce proper automatic registration for FSM (not this bodge done by LAs, even though it has the best intentions) Trail community eligibility
131
Reposted by Andy Jolley
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Just been asked (again) what I think the government should do on school meals Here’s a quick list Scrap Universal Infant FSM to free up £600m, it’s not making a difference Re introduce the small school grant to help schools who don’t have economies of scale Increase per meal funding
132
Reposted by Andy Jolley
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
I’m sure DfEs new FSM checking system will be up and running for June 1st Given the short timeframe for schools to complete all their checks, I am just a bit concerned that it will be incredibly stressed and possibly overwhelmed during week one Why not roll it out by region, a week at a time?
011
Reposted by Andy Jolley
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
It should also give schools a good indication of their new FSM levels However… anyone with experience of big government IT development will have concerns over the timeframe and scale of the launch of such a critical system It will have to perform over 2.5 million checks in the first few weeks
101
Reposted by Andy Jolley
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
The other main issue to highlight is around the new FSM checking system, due to go live on 1st June There’s an expectation that schools use this new technology to recheck FSM pupils eligibility before the end of term On the plus side it will hopefully offer a simpler more user friendly approach
101
Reposted by Andy Jolley
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
DfE need parents National insurance number and Date of birth to confirm FSM eligibility Looks like scammers are taking advantage of the confusion 😳
021
Reposted by Andy Jolley
Rob Ford @robfordmancs.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The only possible explanation for getting upset by "selective schools are less white now" is racism.
1227050
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
www.instagram.com/p/DdJgTOrg_I...
000
Reposted by Andy Jolley
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
My advice for the next half term is threefold Check every FSM pupil ASAP and expect some teething problems with the new system Prepare for some difficult conversations as parents find out they will no longer receive FSM next term. For many families, this will come as unexpected and unwelcome news.
101
Reposted by Andy Jolley
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I can't help think DfE have taken a really positive move on expanding FSM and cocked it up Not enough publicity Too rushed Ignore any downside Dump all responsibility on schools Cross your fingers and hope it's not a complete disaster
011
Reposted by Andy Jolley
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Then there's the significant number of families losing FSM It's terrible for school leaders They ask for all the information only to have to tell parents they are no longer eligible for FSM There's not been any publicity ot pre warning on this and it will impact over 100,000 children
111
Reposted by Andy Jolley
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
All made worse by the requirement to use a new system, launched on June 1st (with errors) with the deadline being early October I just can't see everyone having their eligibility checked in time Which means we'll see a pseudo Transitional Protection, where unchecked families will remain on FSM
111
Reposted by Andy Jolley
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Ministers have completely failed to get the message through to schools and parents that everyone has to reapply by October The publicity is all about "500,000 extra FSM pupils" but they've left it to schools to ask vulnerable parents for their NI numbers and DOB
111
Reposted by Andy Jolley
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I've spoken with a number of school leaders about the changes to Free School Meals & there are big challenges out there Firstly, everyone is positive about expanding to all UC claimants But the process for checking eligibility is ridiculous, it's clearly rushed & wont be completed by census day
101
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Still nothing on Truth Social about the hike in Interest rates Got to assume he's having a nap and no one can be bothered waking him up Even Natalie can't face changing his diaper while he rants and rages
000
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
At least it wasn’t taking Russian bribes like the last one What is it with Reform? All Nigel Farages pals seem to be dodgy Wrong-uns, can’t think what draws them to him and his party #VoteFarageGetTrump
000
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
After another short tour in UK and Europe, my lad & his band are off to play in America next year #exciting
000
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
There’s clearly been some dilution from the original school food proposals This is entirely understandable, but at the same time it undermines any claims the standards are “based on the science”
000
Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Not impressed by this The implication that all school food is beige & inedible is far from the truth & demeans every school chef who do their best with limited resources Acting like saviours whilst punching down is not a good look from the campaigners www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WfI...
youtube.com
Angela Hartnett and young activists teach diners a 'lesson' in school food
YouTube video by School Food Project
110