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Ashley

@ashward50.bsky.social
19 followers 34 following 41 posts

Just a guy trying to navigate life. CoG at a UTC and a Secondary. Sit on the Grants Panel for Diabetes UK, occasionally pitch up & talk for the Steve Morgan Foundation. Dad x2

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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Wonderful news 👏
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
I cannot speak highly-enough of Lord Baker, @bakerdearing.bsky.social and the work of all those associated with UTCs. Phenomena, and lessons to be learned for the wider education landscape
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
It’s (another) really good interview and listen.
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
@colinmurray1.bsky.social As per the vegan curry conversation… Vegan biryani with 🫑🎃🍅🍠(far left), chicken biryani, vegan potato Bombay Aloo. Cooked by the gaffer (pre-match) for 40, for post-match meal SuperVets football. All fresh and organic.
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Utterly brilliant Nick
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
Brilliant tennis this afternoon… particularly @alexanderzverev.bsky.social Any chance the @bbcsportbot.bsky.social and @aeltcwimbledon.bsky.social could ‘do’ an education piece on #T1diabetes for the sport & viewers? (I can point you in the right direction)
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Brilliant… but I have come to expect nothing less from a team of passion, partnership and professionalism
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
This 👇 shows what creative solutions, critical thinking and collaborative partnerships can bring. 👏👏 @bakerdearing.bsky.social
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Brilliant…. All round 👏👏👏
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Brilliant episode (should I expect anything less?), that weaves message, challenge and a subliminal call to action.
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
@mrjamesob.bsky.social Surely ‘he’ must have been the inspiration for this character?
media.tenor.com
a man wearing a pirate hat and a bandana has tiktok written on the bottom left
ALT: a man wearing a pirate hat and a bandana has tiktok written on the bottom left
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
When you hear about this public art installation, and the first thought is ‘I wonder if @plasticjesusart.bsky.social had anything to do with it?’ It appears not, but I applaud the work all the same
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
Day 4 of post-recovery. Have gotten rid of 1 crutch and most of the 💊. Thank heaven for the spinal block, waking up mid sedation whilst my leg was being sawn wasn’t what I had expected 😳. Walking well by Easter and lots planned thereafter.
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
👏👏 @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social and @rory-stewart.bsky.social for their @restispoliticsus.bsky.social discussion on SEN, inclusion, RISE and more. Brilliant. Thank you
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
And similarly the structural challenges & solutions suggested in the ‘Trait to State’ paper are needed. It is again ‘not about money’ but joined up thinking, SMART targets for all & earlier engagement. 👏👏👏
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
I wholeheartedly agree that the changes proposed are progressive, and desperately needed... speaking as someone with an award-winning SEND team in one of my former schools, and with double the % of SENK at my other (a UTC).
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Earlier/better intervention is needed. 1-to-1s should not be the expectation, good teaching is. Money is not the answer, interventions & support beyond the school timetable is. The need for ‘SEND’ schools should be for ‘special’ needs, not due to failures by schools, parents & agencies.
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
EHCPs definitely need to be reassessed at each new setting - reviews often adds layers on to previous poorly written plans that were ‘trialled’ elsewhere. ISP (OnePlans) should cater for the vast majority of those with ‘suggested’ needs. Both should be SMART on family as well as school
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Liam would have been in his element on so many fronts and levels! 👏👏👏
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
I continue to be humbled by the calls, emails & letters… from parents, staff & those from both sides of politics. School governance is a critical component for upholding standards across education & needs to be supported. I only did what I thought was best for all. @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
I love this on so many fronts 👏👏
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Thanks to for the kind words & wishes. Love A X
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
So tomorrow I step away from school governance. The past 6yrs have been memorable & transformative. Thank you for the support from so many, including @bakerdearing.bsky.social the staff, students, sponsors & stakeholders. I’ll be back at some point, somewhere
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
Has your son got T1D? If so, it’s exempt. Always has been, always will be. No double checking needed.
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
If you would like to talk about stigma of T1D (like I did with a student & parent yesterday) or the work of TT1D, this is a separate matter to the phones. Stigma, particularly for ‘late diagnosis’ is big, but a brief glance at my timeline shows you how this can be supported/addressed.
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
Phone use… not phones I am very aware of the statistics and the technology use of those with T1D, the exemptions within the legislation and the reasonable adjustments in all settings. The language is appropriate for 99.9% of phone use.
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
Children with medical conditions such as T1D are already exempt. I know this as a parent of a child with T1D, a CoG x2 and someone who sits on panels & speaks as an expert by experience on the condition. 99.9% phone use in school is not needed… and detrimental to all
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 13/12/2025
I've no issue in standing up, but am taken aback when others want their pic with me… former & current MPs from EdSelCom ask for a selfie. I govern schools in my unique way, but the real heroes are the staff, students & stakeholders that make magic happen.
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
Or have the best of both… with a degree apprenticeship. Educating educators about the educated future choices of destinations, skills and qualifications is critical
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
Fully deserved on so many fronts &’levels. Lovely guy with a huge heart
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
It’s #thinkUTC week. Anyone who has met this man will be amazed at his energy, passion & persuasive ability to make a difference. This week I’m pressing flesh, engaging employers & showcasing school to stakeholders about the benefits @bakerdearing.bsky.social bring to business.
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 31/08/2025
As the news is filled with support for students, I’m delighted to say the schools I support go above/beyond in helping those with additional needs, young carers, or conditions like T1D, championed by Chris Vince MP @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social @stevemorganfdn.bsky.social @diabetesuk.bsky.social
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
Belatedly-posted. 1st of its kind in-school event for parents, students and staff dealing with T1D. More work to do across all school settings, and more planned at BMAT. Thanks to @diabetesuk.bsky.social @stevemorganfdn.bsky.social
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
Afternoon Alastair. Could you do a piece on the Lost Boys TF? Eloquent and erudite (as always) when on @bbc5live.bsky.social today
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
In March alone, an Ofsted inspection, only school in UK to be represented at Young Carers’ Awareness Day, only school in the town to take part in National Youth Strategy Town Hall, an innovative event organised for #T1D students, families & staff #positivegovernance @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 05/04/2025
I am so sorry… Forgive me!
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 05/04/2025
Whilst I (presumably) understand the LTL ethos, its negative language could be misinterpreted by others as ‘lowering standards.’ Needs careful positioning so parents and pupils (and schools) work to high expectations.
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
Proud to Chair the only school represented on the Young Carers ‘decision makers’ bus this week. Student voice makes a difference at Mark Hall Academy… and just one difference made in 4yrs of incredible change. carers.org/news-and-med... @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social #youngcarers #chrisvincemp
carers.org
Young carers drive home their call for more breaks on Young Carers Action Day
Young carers push for more breaks, meeting MPs and sharing their stories on Young Carers Action Day. Discover their call for better support and wellbeing.
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Is the welcome letter to the school governor handbook I created 4yrs ago. Meeting a parent today, listening to their remarkable circumstances, proved to me once again that by giving time, empathy & support, we can play a small part in helping transform a young person’s life for the better 🥺
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 02/02/2025
Deleted my account a while back. It’s not a good place, and that’s an understatement.
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Ashley @ashward50.bsky.social · 02/02/2025
PEXs are up 100+%, IRPs are up 300% in Essex. Before I became a CoG, I had no idea if the challenges for students, as well as the school. I’ve spoken to EAs, MPs & others about the issues - there’s no joined up answer. Circumstances, parenting & social issues all contribute considerably
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