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Eddie Playfair

@eddieplayfair.bsky.social
257 followers 211 following 34 posts

Senior Policy Manager helping to represent & support colleges in England. Equality, democracy, social justice, solidarity, learning, liberation. My views only. (He/him) Blogging at eddieplayfair.com

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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
c.org/fkCcV5xYB4
c.org
Sign the Petition
TAX BANK SUPER-PROFITS AT THE BUDGET
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Trump's $5,000 'dividend' is the ultimate marketization of politics. Voting reduced to a purely financial transaction with no political or social content. This is what happens if all we expect is to choose from the goods on offer at election time: no engagement, discourse, agency or resistance.
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Being more French? Council Elections 2026 eddieplayfair.com/2026/08/22/b...
eddieplayfair.com
Being more French? Council Elections 2026
2026 has been a year of elections for first tier local authorities both in France (March) and in England (May). Is there anything to be learned by comparing the two systems, and what might it mean …
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Being More French? How do French council elections compare to English ones? A new blog with a couple of worked examples.
eddieplayfair.com
Being more French? Council Elections 2026
2026 has been a year of elections for first tier local authorities both in France (March) and in England (May). Is there anything to be learned by comparing the two systems, and what might it mean for England’s councils to be elected in a more French way? A brief summary of 10 key differences: 1. A wider range of council sizes…
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
I've been at the brilliant 14th International Conference on Critical Education www.icce2026izmir.com presenting 'From Labour Power to Humam Capital' and discussing how to challenge the dominance of Human Capital thinking across every aspect of education.
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
I've been at the brilliant 14th International Conference on Critical Education www.icce2026izmir.com presenting 'From Labour Power to Humam Capital' and discussing how to challenge the dominance of Human Capital thinking across every aspect of education.
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
A phenomenal production of Brecht's 'Mother Courage' at #Shakespeare'sGlobe. @annaruthjordan.bsky.social's sympathetic updating enhanced the powerful anti-war message. #MichelleTerry and the whole cast were brilliant. For anyone who speaks glibly of preparing for 'the next war'...
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
The case for a Really Useful education: journals.lwbooks.co.uk/forum/vol-67...
journals.lwbooks.co.uk
For a really useful education: a dialectic of purpose - Lawrence Wishart
This contribution takes a dialectical approach to thinking about educational purpose. Using the liberal arts �trivium� categorie
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
It's time for a 'Zucman' wealth tax to tackle runaway inequality.
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
New Stepping Stone English and maths qualifications could be just what students need, to re-engage and remotivate them and provide opportunities for success on the way to a grade 4 GCSE. My piece in @feweek.bsky.social feweek.co.uk/smaller-step...
feweek.co.uk
Smaller steps could transform English and maths GCSE resits
A more inclusive stepping stone approach to English and maths resits can help students overcome failure stigma
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
At a time of violent global conflict colleges have a duty to educate about causes and consequences and to explain, discuss and reaffirm the need for peacebuilding, human rights, respect and dialogue. My recent piece in @feweek.bsky.social feweek.co.uk/dont-shy-awa...
feweek.co.uk
Don’t shy away from talking to students about global conflict
Colleges should not stay silent about global conflicts and leave the space to misinformation and extremism
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
A 'rich' education should be "an expression of an expansive, inclusive, generous and joyful vision of human flourishing" for all students. My blog on educational enrichment for @edgeuk.bsky.social www.edge.co.uk/research/wha...
edge.co.uk
Enrichment: the ethos of a rich curriculum
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Woman looking through a microscope, Cliff Rowe (1966) and Woman examining a sample, Maurice Broomfield (1968).
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
A great presentation yesterday from Andy Friend about his brilliant history of the Artists International - group of anti-fascist artists 1933-43. Even today when art is so commodified, it can still find political purpose. #MarxMemorialLibrary
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
For an equitable transition to a green economy and a guarantee of economic security for all... For a shift in power and wealth to people and communities through democratic social ownership... support the Reclaim our Economies for People and Planet petition: actionnetwork.org/petitions/re...
actionnetwork.org
Rewire our economies for people and planet
For too long, the rules of the global economy have been written by and for the few elites, billionaires and multinationals. Our leaders have measured success through GDP growth. But GDP is nothing mor...
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
'Earth and other planets' last night was a phenomenal experience, going way beyond 'fusion'or 'reimagining'. 'Mars' is powerful anti-war music and all yesterday's performances were stunning. Thank you @willharmonicas.bsky.social #DeliaStevens, #RobertMacfarlane #BrittenPhilharmonia & #MiltonCourt
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Whenever I see the circular neon lights in the prow of Commonwealth house at the top of New Oxford street I think of this Maurice Broomfield photo.
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
Treating 'populism' as the main threat is not a political response. Taking on the far-right requires a programme which offers an alternative to growing inequality, economic exclusion, division, xenophobia and racism. My letter in today's @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
It is Labour’s party machine that is out of touch | Letters
Letters: Readers respond to Chris Powell’s article about how to tackle the threat of rightwing populism
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 22/11/2025
My first Janaček opera and what an experience. A truly thrilling combination of big issues, emotional charge and gorgeous music - and such a fresh, lively production. More Janaček please! ://www.rbo.org.uk/tickets-and-events/the-makropulos-case-katie-mitchell-details
rbo.org.uk
The Makropulos Case
Find out about The Makropulos Case at the Royal Opera House. Acclaimed director Katie Mitchell stages a new production of Janáček’s haunting and enigmatic opera The Makropulos Case.
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
On seeing the margins as spaces in which a majority can be mobilised. Brilliant piece from @nesrinemalik.bsky.social on Zohran Mamdani's campaign. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
In New York, Zohran Mamdani showed how it’s done: ‘identity politics’ can win elections | Nesrine Malik
New York’s newly elected mayor rooted his campaign in the personal while, ironically, exemplifying the tradition of the American ‘melting pot’, says Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
An important and timely reminder from Zoe Williams in today's @theguardian.com that war is always "a portal from civilization to cruelty". www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
The story of war is one of kidnapping, slavery and rape. And what we talk about is strategy and territory | Zoe Williams
From the Boer war to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Imperial War Museum’s new exhibition reminds us what really happens once the bullets begin to fly, writes Guardian columnist Zoe Williams
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
Does class inequality still matter? Yes it does - more than ever! At @lseinequalities.bsky.social this evening with @faizashaheen.bsky.social @zarahsultana.bsky.social @mikesavagelse.bsky.social @claremacg.bsky.social & Aditya Chakraborty
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Reposted by Eddie Playfair
Association of Colleges @aoc-info.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
Our new #ThinkFurther blog by @eddieplayfair.bsky.social, Senior Policy Manager at AoC, highlights the importance of teaching about the Holocaust and other genocides to help students understand history and combat discrimination. Read here: www.aoc.co.uk/news-campaig...
graphic reads "Think Further blog series. Holocaust Memorial Day."
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Reposted by Eddie Playfair
Association of Colleges @aoc-info.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
"Teaching about past atrocities can help encourage students to challenge hatred, racism and discrimination in the here and now," says Eddie Playfair, Senior Policy Manager at AoC, in our new blog on #InternationalHolocaustRemembranceDay. Read more: www.aoc.co.uk/news-campaig...
Graphic reads "International Holocaust Remembrance Day."
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 13/01/2025
A brilliant 'Vulture Capitalism' talk with @graceblakeley.bsky.social at @lseinequalities.bsky.social this evening. The Lucas Plan, workers' control and popular planning movements continue to inspire us to imagine a different economy organised around meeting social need rather capital accumulation.
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 10/01/2025
Let's celebrate the record number of post-16 students achieving grade 4+ in GCSE English and/or maths in November. These are mostly college-based ‘retake’ students who hadn't achieved grade 4 in Year 11. See our AoC briefing on the November results: bit.ly/4jd2B6m
bit.ly
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
“Why is it that the rich must become immeasurably more rich before the poor can become even fractionally less poor?” We will miss Jeremy Seabrook's championing of greater equality. www.theguardian.com/books/2024/d...
theguardian.com
Jeremy Seabrook obituary
Social and political commentator whose work focused on the environment and the marginalisation of poor people
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
I discussed maths qualification reform in this 'Right Angle' podcast: “We need a modular and progressive model with plenty of steps to give students credit for what they can do, so they experience success and build on it. That’s more motivating and would build students’ confidence” bit.ly/4iiBFSk
bit.ly
Ep.29:A conversation on Post-16 Maths with Eddie Playfair
The Right Angle · Episode
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 25/10/2024
Our @AoC_info draft response to the Curriculum & Assessment Review has just gone live. We hope it will prompt discussion and that colleges will respond in large numbers. This is a great opportunity to help shape the system and benefit our students. d4hfzltwt4wv7.cloudfront.net/uploads/file...
d4hfzltwt4wv7.cloudfront.net
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 25/10/2024
Some reflections on skills, knowledge, policy, pedagogy and the role of colleges in supporting the government's missions. I think I managed to cover a lot in five minutes! youtu.be/aDhe8vltnUg
youtu.be
Eddie Playfair, Senior Policy Manager at AoC discusses bridging Policy and Pedagogy
YouTube video by FE News - The #FutureofEducation News Channel
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Reposted by Eddie Playfair
Lynne Taylerson, Real Time Education @realtimeedu.bsky.social · 10/10/2024
Hugely important message from @eddieplayfair.bsky.social at the #ETF / #FENews #FESkillsCollective 'Bridging Policy and Pedagogy' conference: #Skills are not 'delivered' but developed in a social context - we need a social cohesion, #socialpurpose-led skills strategy #loveFE #AmplifyFE #UKED #UKFE
Photo of 5 people seated on stage in a large conference hall discussing FE topics witha FE Collective Local Q&A banner behind them.
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 26/09/2024
Adult, Further and Higher education can change lives, build democracy and transform communities. I was delighted to contribute to 'Harnessing the power of post-compulsory education' co-written with Howard Stevenson & John Holford and published this week by @ucu.org.uk www.ucu.org.uk/article/1373...
ucu.org.uk
Harnessing the power of post-compulsory education
A new government is a moment of possibility. It provides an opportunity to turn the tide on years of austerity and the so-called 'reforms' of public services that have served only to cut costs and mak...
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 07/09/2024
Art which "erupts from outrage at the fact that the search for financial profit rules every nook and cranny of our society." Fantastic Peter Kennard exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery - so many classics! And the vision of a People's University of East London is one we need more than ever.
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Eddie Playfair @eddieplayfair.bsky.social · 06/09/2024
What is common knowledge in my field, but shocks outsiders? There are more 16-18 year olds in colleges than in school sixth forms.
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