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David Harbourne

@davidharbourne.bsky.social
135 followers 111 following 191 posts

Chair of Yorkshire Philosophical Society and the Welfare Benefits Unit. Opinions are entirely my own.

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Reposted by David Harbourne
The New York Times @nytimes.com · 04/10/2026
Cancer patients are inundated with misinformation spread by alternative-medicine practitioners, social media and public figures, Trisha Thadani writes. “Looking back on those desperate months with my father, I can see clearly how much he valued the feeling of his care above anything else.”
nyti.ms
Dying Patients Are Inundated by Misinformation. My Dad Was One of Them.
Cancer patients are being persuaded to spend tens of thousands on unproven treatments by alternative-medicine clinics.
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Here's the moment we're waiting for
static.klipy.com
Loyd's Angry Move in Military Uniform
Alt: Clip from the movie Death of Stalin where Marshall Zhukov shrugs off his coat to reveal his whole uniform covered in medals
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Reposted by David Harbourne
Ryan @ryanwright.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
This is how I remember the order of Henry VIII’s wives.
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
The line about "joke to world-class" is 30 years out of date. English sparkling wines started winning awards in the 1990s. It's like journalists who *still* talk about Skoda no longer being a laughing stock: VW bought the company 35 years ago.
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
As far as I'm concerned, the plural of Sussex should be Sussices. Yes, I know I am wrong about that but it's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Luna went for a lively walk in the woods and needed a long sleep when she got home!
A small poochon dog is looking back at the camera during a walk in the woodsLuna is lying on the sofa, tired from her walk in the woods
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Pupils take PISA tests when they are between 15 years and 3 months and 16 years and 2 months old. It's a test of their whole education up to that point, not just key stage 4.
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Luna loves her new day bed!
The camera is looking straight down on Luna, a poochon puppy. Luna is lying on her back, paws in the air, in a circular white plush pet bed.
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Reposted by David Harbourne
Brian Groom @groomb.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
On the River Greta, Lake District, 1868, painting by John Atkinson Grimshaw.
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Reposted by David Harbourne
The Guardian @theguardian.com · 03/09/2026
‘Internal exclusion’ of England secondary school students almost triples in three years
theguardian.com
‘Internal exclusion’ of England secondary school students almost triples in three years
Exclusive: new data shows poorer pupils and those with Send are disproportionately affected by the measure The proportion of secondary school students in England removed from class and placed in “internal exclusion” as a disciplinary measure has almost trebled in three years, according to new data. The data shows the proportion of secondary pupils removed from normal lessons went up from 5% in the 2022/2023 academic year to 13% in 2025/26 – a 160% increase. Continue reading...
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
This is my sister's cat, Jack. He's 17 years old. This is the first time he has ever sat on my lap.
A black cat looking into the camera. He is sitting quite awkwardly on my lap.
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Thanks again! Two of my children went from English schools to Scottish universities. I definitely think that the first year of a four-year degree should emphasise foundational skills for HE.
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
However, take up is relatively low, and disproportionately skewed towards high-attaining students (Project Qualifications: The Benefits and Barriers share.google/c51tk2JsY28Y...). Perhaps we should encourage wider take up. (2)
share.google
Project Qualifications: The Benefits and Barriers
Project Qualifications equip students with vital skills for future education and work.
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Thanks! There is some evidence that EPQs help with (eg) research skills (Full article: The extended project qualification in England: does it provide good preparation for higher education? share.google/c4NsGQgmgr7y...). (1)
share.google
The extended project qualification in England: does it provide good preparation for higher education?
The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is taken by students in England aged 16–18, usually alongside A levels. It consists of an in-depth project in an area of students’ choosing. Students are re...
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Two questions. 1. Are students (in England) better prepared for HE if they take an Extended Project Qualification alongside A Levels? 2. In Scotland, degrees typically take 4 years rather than 3. Is the first year geared towards foundational ideas and methods?
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
This was the scene in York, England, where people gathered on the medieval city walls to observe the eclipse.
People gathered on the medieval city walls in York, England, to observe the eclipse.
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
#eclipse crowds in York this evening
A large number of people gathered on York's medieval city walls to observe the partial eclipse of the sun
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
PS full disclosure: I was involved in developing the UTC programme and wrote a book about it. www.amazon.co.uk/University-T...
amazon.co.uk
University Technical Colleges: The First Ten Years
Buy University Technical Colleges: The First Ten Years by Harbourne, David, Baker, Lord Kenneth (ISBN: 9781915054760) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Is it OK for 14-16 year olds to spend 10% to 20% of the school week pursuing a technical or vocational qualification, or should they be spending that time studying a modern language (or history, or geography) instead? It's a debate that started over 100 years ago and I doubt it'll ever end! (end)
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
...they got better. Today, UTCs perform well. Students get GCSEs and a technical qualification. They can change direction at 16 or 18. There's much that can be learned from how UTCs do this. (5)
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
...and a total denigration of pre-16 vocational options. By sheer willpower, Kenneth Baker got University Technical Colleges off the ground. Early on, neighbouring schools offloaded low-attaining pupils with poor attendance and disciplinary records. UTCs suffered: GCSE results were poor. But... (4)
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
There were practical problems, but the early results were very encouraging in terms of engagement, achievement and progression to post-16 programmes. Then came Tomlinson and the government's botched response (Diplomas), which the Coalition was delighted to sweep aside. instead, we got the EBacc (3)
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
My position is based partly on experience in the 1990s and early 2000s, when too many people left school with poor qualifications and ended up not in education, employment or training (NEET). In the 1990s "increased flexibility pilots" allowed young people to combine GCSEs and vocational quals (2)
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
This isn't the place for a detailed critique, so you'll have to head to Sam's substack to read my full(ish) response. I disagree with Sam. For loads of reasons, giving a technical/vocational option in key stage 4 is a good idea. And it *doesn't* prevent young people changing direction later. (1)
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
In the 1920s/30s there was strong opposition in the Sénat (upper house), especially among members of the right wing Parti radical; and a belief that if women had the right to vote, Catholic priests would tell them who to vote for! Later, Pétain was against universal suffrage, the Resistance for.
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
The French Wikipedia page has a detailed account - scroll down past other countries, you'll find it! fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droit_d...
fr.wikipedia.org
Droit de vote des femmes — Wikipédia
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Eventually Odysseus gets home, pats his now 20-year-old dog (whose response is to die immediately), kills a bunch of dodgy geezers, reunites with Fantine and together they sail into the sunset
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
My review of The Odyssey: Odysseus leaves Troy with a large number of loyal warriors, loses his way, stops at various beaches where he and his men are set upon by monsters before some of them run back to the beach and set sail for the next almighty fuck up until everyone's dead apart from Odysseus
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Reposted by David Harbourne
Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
'The way we prioritise looked-after and previously looked-after children today will determine whether future data finally tells a different story – one of belonging, aspiration and genuine opportunity' schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-and-...
schoolsweek.co.uk
Schools must know every looked-after child’s story
Children in care come to school carrying layers of vulnerability and complexity that too often remain unseen
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
But the curriculum remains broad enough to facilitate a change of direction at 16 or 18.
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Obviously there are choices to be made. Most UTCs don't offer modern foreign languages, for example. Some people mind about that. Others not so much.
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
The key is making sure there's still a broad curriculum. I interviewed nearly 200 current and former UTC students. Most continue with STEM subjects post 16 and post 18 but some take a new direction. Examples: training to be a chef; English at university and then journalism.
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Does higher education still offer social mobility? Yes, but it's not an *automatic* passport to success. www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/latest/insig...
universitiesuk.ac.uk
How can higher education better deliver on social mobility?
Higher education can be a powerful driver of social mobility, but data shows that significant barriers still remain for people from disadvantaged backgrounds to access and benefit from it.
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Students at University Technical Colleges study core GCSEs alongside a technical qualification in (eg) engineering, health, construction, sports science... They're not being trained to do a specific job for the rest of their life - it's a different way of learning. bakerdearing.org/supporting-u...
bakerdearing.org
University Technical Colleges | Baker Dearing Educational Trust
See how Baker Dearing supports University Technical Colleges in the UK, fostering innovation and excellence in education across the country
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
My only minor quibble is that the first three UTCs were approved pre-2010 by Andrew Adonis (Labour). After 2010 they were championed by George Osborne (Conservative). After a sometimes troubled start, UTCs have proved their worth.
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
University Technical Colleges had a tough time at the start but are definitely succeeding now. Full story (by me!) - University Technical Colleges: The First Ten Years Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store share.google/cX6QsG1WL9hv...
amazon.co.uk
Amazon.co.uk
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Reposted by David Harbourne
Paul Brand @paulbrand.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Louise Casey makes the point that care is underpaid compared to the NHS - another example of a Cinderella service so painfully laid bare during Covid-19. Care workers get an average annual salary of £23k. NHS healthcare worker starts on £25k. We undervalue care as a society.
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
I'm not a politician but definitely middle class. My son opted for an FE college at 16 because of its brilliant reputation for music technology. His school really didn't want him to go. "You're limiting your options," they said, and "college is for chavs". He went anyway. It was the right decision.
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
The snag is that this isn't the case in other industries.
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
You've hit on an example of parity, for sure, but it actually goes further than that. Big engineering employers such as BAE offer apprenticeships which include support for degrees. They pay the tuition fees and salaries, leaving apprentices better off than friends who go straight to uni.
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Reposted by David Harbourne
Ben Zaranko @benzaranko.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Apprentices will now be eligible for a £4,500 bursary, so that there's no longer a financial disincentive to take up an apprenticeship. Seems eminently sensible, especially for a government looking to promote technical post-16 routes. www.gov.uk/government/n...
gov.uk
Government invests in young people with more opportunities close to home
Thousands more young people will be able to gain the skills, qualifications and experience they need for future careers, as the government today rolls out a major package to break down barriers stoppi...
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
I take your point, but surely no one would see Diplomas as a model to follow now. It wasn't the model to follow back then, either. I know I bang on about it, but education business partnerships are a better starting point: they build trust on both sides - schools and employers. nybep.org.uk
nybep.org.uk
NYBEP | Education and Business in Partnership | Successful Futures - NYBEP
We are an education and business partnership based across the north of England, with over 30 years experience of fostering meaningful connections between
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
It's still early days. Here's the year two report: www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/what-we-do/e...
greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk
Home
Growing evidence of MBacc’s positive impact across Greater Manchester
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Yes, we have to build the partnerships. And there's evidence that we can. University Technical Colleges are a prime example of what can be done to bring employers into the 14-18 curriculum. bakerdearing.org
bakerdearing.org
Baker Dearing Educational Trust
Discover how Baker Dearing Trust champions University Technical Colleges, offering innovative education for future leaders
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Absolutely agree. Obviously, I find it very depressing. I have spent decades arguing that care workers (a predominantly female occupation) should be paid better. But nothing ever changes.
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Societal norms. Micro messaging from birth. All the stuff that means we don't have gender equality, either.
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Dakin: But you accept that actually the statement in your report that there are fewer employers is probably out of line with the evidence. Wolf: Technically, in the sense that it is out of line with the fact that there are these groups of people out there who are managing to bring in new employers.
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Prof Wolf to Nic Dakin: "On the evidence base, I obviously should have clarified my words. The answer is that we get employers in because we have specialist people working their backsides off to try and bring people in." (9)
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Sorry! Commons Education Committee, April 2011. Nic Dakin to Prof Wolf: "Some 404,000 employers provided one or two work placements last year and of those 60,000 were new into the system that year, so I am troubled by the evidence base and by the statements in your report." (8)
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David Harbourne @davidharbourne.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
For a lot of young people, work experience was (and can still be) their first-ever experience of the workplace. That's meaningful and worthwhile on its own. And if the workplace in question is somehow linked to their aspirations - well, that's an added bonus. (7, probably end)
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