iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 19/10/2024

Ooh I like the light over your camera

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Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 23/08/2024

Thank you. That’s really useful.

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Reposted by Denise Forrest

Amy Forrester @amymayforrester.bsky.social · 21/08/2024

Just before tomorrow begins - an important message: Grades 1-3 are not fails. Us or Xs are. Anyone with a 1-3 HAS GOT A GCSE. And for some of those kiddos, a 1 or a 2 or 3 can be a phenomenal result that they deserve to be proud of. Let’s be a bit more responsible in our language.

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Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 20/08/2024

In this case it kind of makes sense. If parents were originally prepared to pay private school fees then didn’t need to anymore, the obvious thing to do is to use that money to pay for extra tuition. There definitely was a high expectations culture but there was also high support to make it happen

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Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 20/08/2024

We discovered part way through Y13 that ALL of her friends had private tutors. It made me wonder how much the school’s results were being propped up by external support. I don’t say that in any way as a criticism of the school. It just wasn’t as great as she expected.

Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 20/08/2024

My eldest asked to change school for sixth form. She chose a private turned state school. The year group she joined were the final cohort to have started when it was still private. She wanted to do medicine so we agreed thinking being in the high aspirations culture would be good for her.

Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 20/08/2024

It worked well. I supported students who were still working at LKS2 level. I was probably most useful advising colleagues (maths esp.) on how they would have been taught in primary & encouraging them to adopt a CPA approach. It made me realise how pointless SPaG & a lot of KS2 English is though!

Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 20/08/2024

My first session is 17th. I’d be interested in visiting some time though if that’s possible?

Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 19/08/2024

I’ve taught: Reception Y4 9 years PT supply whilst my daughters were little Y5 Y3 Y5 AHT Y3-4 AHT Primary catch up teacher in secondary Y5 in a middle school SENCO (secondary)

Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 19/08/2024

I think it depends on what can be viewed as a “reasonable adjustment” in lessons and what needs to be classed as “additional to” or “different from” which I view as something that happens outside the classroom. But that relies on how good is your QFT & is that consistent throughout the school? #SEND

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Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 19/08/2024

When I took on the role I was clueless. I hoped the NASENCO course would answer these questions for me but it didn’t. It took almost 2 years before I felt I had a clear enough idea in my own head of who should be on the register (in my setting) & who shouldn’t.

RR @rlrossi64.bsky.social · 19/08/2024

Reposted by Denise Forrest

Great blog from Gary Aubin @sendmattersuk.bsky.social who has just joined the platform. He’s really worth adding to your Ed and #SEND lists

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Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 18/08/2024

I’ve done 20+ years with a 9 year gap in the middle to bring up children. Happy to chat.

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Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 17/08/2024

I might be picking your brains Ria 😆

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Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 17/08/2024

Hi, I’m a secondary SENCO. I’m primary trained & taught for 15+ years in primary before making the jump to “big school”. Particularly interested in autism, anxiety & dyslexia. Starting a PG cert in SpLD Dyslexia at Edge Hill in September. Would love to link up with any other colleagues doing that🤞🏻

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Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 16/08/2024

Fabulous resources. Thanks for sharing ❤️

Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 16/08/2024

This is brilliant! Thank you ❤️

Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 15/08/2024

Thank you. I was trying to do it on my phone. I’ve deleted the feed as @phoenixedsarah.bsky.social has set up a similar one so I don’t want there to be two. She may appreciate some advice though.

Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 15/08/2024

No worries. I’m not precious about it at all. I was just aware that there didn’t seem to be a SEND feed so rather than just waiting & hoping & expecting someone else to do it, thought I’d give it a go. We obviously had the same idea at the same time!

Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 15/08/2024

You seem to have got further than I did, so I’ve deleted my list as we don’t need two feeds doing the same job.

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Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 15/08/2024

I’ve deleted this feed as we don’t need two feeds doing the same job as it dilutes the traffic. Let’s just use the SEND in schools feed instead.

Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 15/08/2024

Excellent! This probably isn’t needed then! I don’t care who does it as long as we have a SEND feed somewhere 😂

Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 15/08/2024

Yes. I was following some instructions online but I got part way through & got stuck.

Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 14/08/2024

Not even sure it was a “user list” I was aiming for… 🤔

Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 14/08/2024

OK, so I’ve tried to start a SENCO feed but haven’t got very far. I’ve added a few people but now I’m stuck. Can anyone help with what to do next? bsky.app/profile/did:...

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Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 14/08/2024

I’m not sure what to do though 🤷‍♀️😂 Does adding #SEND work?

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Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 14/08/2024

They wouldn’t have given you the job if they didn’t think you could do it! Just be yourself & do it your way. Spend as much time (or more) listening as you do speaking. Look out for your team. You’ve got this 👊

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Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 14/08/2024

Ross Welford, Elle McNicoll, Stewart Foster

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Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 12/08/2024

I haven’t found a feed for SEND yet. I’m not totally sure how this works yet but should we try starting one? #SEND @sparkes66.bsky.social @ahtblay.bsky.social @rlrossi64.bsky.social @dameangry.bsky.social

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Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 12/08/2024

But that’s what teachers do isn’t it? We see a problem, find a solution. Sorted.

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Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 10/08/2024

Can you imagine a primary teacher risk assessing the various sports? Wet paper towels at the ready…

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Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 10/08/2024

“Good governors made me a better headteacher”. Love that ❤️ If that isn’t a reason to do it, I don’t know what is!

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Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 10/08/2024

I’ve said more on here today than I’ve said on Twitter in the last 2 months. This feels more open & respectful. If people feel they can add something, however “unimportant” it feels, they will be more likely to join in.

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Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 10/08/2024

I’ve been asked to take on a governor role in a local primary school. I’ve done it before as a staff governor but not sure about the time commitment/responsibility. Tell me why it’s a good/bad idea…

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Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 10/08/2024

What’s even trickier though is when you think you’ve cracked the first priorities & made real headway and therefore move on to new “priorities”, making sure the previous things don’t slip.

Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 10/08/2024

Keep priorities to a minimum so there’s a total focus on them so we see real improvements in those areas. The downside is things which could be “priorities” but aren’t are sidelined. That’s ok if they’re parked for a year or so while you focus on other things but you can’t ignore them forever.

Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 10/08/2024

Even worse when impact is linked to PM targets. In one school we had a large SLT & everyone was pushing forward with their own personal targets. Not sure it all aligned.

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Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 08/08/2024

Absolutely. That’s the way I built connections.

Denise Forrest @denforrest.bsky.social · 08/08/2024

I won’t hold that against you! 😄