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Zoe Enser

@greeborunner.bsky.social
3.8K followers 1.2K following 3.7K posts

School improvement lead for a small but varied and beautifully formed trust. TES columnist. Education, improving things for our most vulnerable. Literature, Yorkshire, folklore.

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Reposted by Zoe Enser
Mark Enser @ensermark.bsky.social · 10h
Despite the best efforts of schools, people don't seem so smart. Perhaps it is because we have been stuck between flawed models of education. I take a look at what has been tried, and where things have fallen flat. enserm.substack.com/p/the-curric...
enserm.substack.com
The Curriculum Nobody’s Built
Part Four: What is the point of school if everyone is so dumb?
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Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
'The real question for any headteacher considering a reading intervention is whether their school is prepared to give it the committed, protected time the implementation data shows is what actually makes the difference' schoolsweek.co.uk/a-reading-in...
schoolsweek.co.uk
A reading intervention can work and still fail your school
A trial shows how much implementation matters when an intervention meets the realities of school life
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Heather Fearn @heatherbellaf.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
This is a super summary of some of the most practical messages, for any curriculum writer, in our new Learning First, Curriculum Reform, Education Leader’s Handbook. Thanks @ensermark.bsky.social
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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Another excellent post by @ensermark.bsky.social on the also excellent Curriculum Reform Handbook from Learning First’s Ben Jensen and @heatherbellaf.bsky.social. Good advice for curriculum-makers at all levels from classrooms to government agencies.
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Mark Enser @ensermark.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
*** NEW POST *** Refections on Learning First's new Curriculum Reform Handbook - lots to take away whatever your role in curriculum development and this first post just scratches the surface. Great work from Ben Jensen and Heather Fearn. enserm.substack.com/p/getting-cu...
enserm.substack.com
Getting curriculum right
Five lessons from Learning First’s Curriculum Handbook
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Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Education secretary Lucy Powell said yesterday that there will be some changes in response to the SEND consultation 'otherwise it wouldn't have been a meaningful consultation' Day three of Labour conference kicks off shortly - follow our coverage for the latest schoolsweek.co.uk/labour-confe...
schoolsweek.co.uk
Labour conference 2026: Schools Week live blog
Our reporting team bring you live updates from the party's annual conference in Liverpool
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Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
It's day two of Labour's annual conference in Liverpool. Follow along for the latest updates ⤵️ schoolsweek.co.uk/labour-confe...
schoolsweek.co.uk
Labour conference 2026: Schools Week live blog
Our reporting team bring you live updates from the party's annual conference in Liverpool
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Reposted by Zoe Enser
Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
The Schools Week team is in Liverpool for the annual Labour party conference. We will bring you live updates from the main speeches as well as fringe events focused on schools policy. Follow along ⤵️ schoolsweek.co.uk/labour-confe...
schoolsweek.co.uk
Labour conference 2026: Schools Week live blog
Our reporting team bring you live updates from the party's annual conference in Liverpool
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Reposted by Zoe Enser
Mark Enser @ensermark.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
*** NEW POST *** Can we educate our way out of a climate emergency? Sadly, research suggests that we use our education to pursue status rather than truth - and that’s a problem. enserm.substack.com/p/education-...
enserm.substack.com
Education and the Climate Emergency
Part Three: What is the point of school if everyone is so dumb?
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Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Breaking: New nationally-set ‘vocational GCSEs’ will be introduced in schools to replace existing technical awards, with league tables due to be adjusted to take account of them schoolsweek.co.uk/new-vocation...
schoolsweek.co.uk
New 'vocational GCSEs' to replace technical awards
Content, assessment and grading will be set 'nationally' and accountability measures adjusted
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Zoe Enser @greeborunner.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
I've been reflecting on this since joining @suttontrust.bsky.social as a north west ambassador. Geography does matter and we need to understand why
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Zoe Enser @greeborunner.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
I've been reflecting on this since joining @suttontrust.bsky.social as a north west ambassador. Geography does matter and we need to understand why
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Mark Enser @ensermark.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
New post from @greeborunner.bsky.social considering the role that experience plays in how we view and understand issues of educational disadvantage. teachreal.wordpress.com/2026/09/23/t...
teachreal.wordpress.com
The Geography of Poverty
From the first time I watched the film Educating Rita I identified with Rita. I recognised her as someone caught between two worlds and that resonated. I didn’t really understand why or exactly wha…
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Mark Goodrich @markgoodrich.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Finally, this is outside my usual area of interest but this blog by @ensermark.bsky.social on the global teaching of geography (and its neglect in the USA) was just so fascinating. If you haven’t read it yet, you should! enserm.substack.com/p/are-americ...
enserm.substack.com
Are Americans Lost?
What Happens When Geography Goes Missing
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Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
'Teacher expertise changes pupils’ lives. So why is their professional learning so often on the margins? ' schoolsweek.co.uk/four-steps-t...
schoolsweek.co.uk
Four steps towards a revolution in professional learning
Teacher expertise changes pupils’ lives. So why is their professional learning so often on the margins?
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Matthew Evans @head-teach.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
I’m enjoying this series of posts. Thanks @ensermark.bsky.social
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Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
A rural academy trust that created a shared “virtual sixth form” says the move has “transformed” its post-16 offer by allowing pupils to study subjects online they could not otherwise access. schoolsweek.co.uk/five-go-virt...
schoolsweek.co.uk
Five go virtual in rural Shropshire
A rural trust has set up online lessons for sixth-formers to study courses not available at their own school
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Mark Enser @ensermark.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
*** NEW POST - PART TWO *** Continuing my quest to try and answer the question, if people forget so much of what they learn in school, what is the point of it all? In this part, I turn to the sociologists for answers. enserm.substack.com/p/sinister-s...
enserm.substack.com
Sinister Sociology of Schooling
Part Two: What is the point of school if everyone is so dumb?
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The Sutton Trust @suttontrust.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
As school leaders, they understand first-hand the challenges of closing the attainment gap and supporting progression into higher education. Their on-the-ground insight will feed directly into our agenda-setting research, while local networks will help widen access to our life-changing programmes.
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Zoe Enser @greeborunner.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I'm really excited to be a part of this.
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Mark Enser @ensermark.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
*** NEW POST *** Something has been troubling me - to put it bluntly, how do we defend education in a world where people seem so stupid? A comment on my last piece has sent me down a research rabbit hole that I am not yet out of. enserm.substack.com/p/where-is-k...
enserm.substack.com
Where is Kazakhstan?
Part One: What is the point of school if everyone is so dumb?
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Mark Goodrich @markgoodrich.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
A deeply fascinating look at how geography is taught in different countries with particular reference to its dire state in the USA. Would love to see this for some other subjects.
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Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Breaking: The education secretary has committed to fully funding this year’s teacher pay rise following lobbying by the National Education Union, the union has claimed schoolsweek.co.uk/government-c...
schoolsweek.co.uk
Government commits to fully funding teacher pay rise, says NEU
The education secretary has committed to fully funding this year's teacher pay rise following lobbying by the National Education Union, Schools Week understands
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Mark Enser @ensermark.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
*** NEW POST *** What happens to a country when geography is devalued as a subject? A sobering look at the state of geography in American schools. enserm.substack.com/p/are-americ...
enserm.substack.com
Are Americans Lost?
What Happens When Geography Goes Missing
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Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Ian Bauckham will step down as chair of curriculum provider Oak National Academy next month, the Department for Education has announced schoolsweek.co.uk/ian-bauckham...
schoolsweek.co.uk
Ian Bauckham to stand down as Oak chair
Tom Campbell has been appointed by the DfE to succeed him
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Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Missed education questions in Parliament yesterday? We've got you covered. Catch up with our new-look live blog here... schoolsweek.co.uk/powells-firs...
schoolsweek.co.uk
Powell's first education questions: Live blog
Education secretary Lucy Powell takes questions from MPs in the House of Commons
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Mark Enser @ensermark.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
*** NEW POST *** Wanting the curriculum to reflect the subject discipline is a laudable goal - but there are some challenges ahead, and most of them are out of teachers’ hands. enserm.substack.com/p/what-could...
enserm.substack.com
What Could Go Wrong With a Concept-Led Curriculum?
Part Four: The challenges to overcome
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Mark Enser @ensermark.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
6 years since @greeborunner.bsky.social and I published this as part of @teacherhead.bsky.social In Action series. I still get asked to lead CPD on it, to help teachers decide how activities can be designed with learning in mind or to support independent study. www.amazon.co.uk/Fiorella-May...
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Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Lucy Powell will face education questions in the House of Commons for the first time since her appointment in July Stay tuned for updates from our new-look live blog from 2.30pm! schoolsweek.co.uk/powells-firs...
schoolsweek.co.uk
Powell's first education questions: Live blog
Education secretary Lucy Powell takes questions from MPs in the House of Commons
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Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Missed education questions in Parliament today? We've got you covered. Catch up with our new-look live blog here... schoolsweek.co.uk/powells-firs...
schoolsweek.co.uk
Powell's first education questions: Live blog
Education secretary Lucy Powell takes questions from MPs in the House of Commons
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Mark Enser @ensermark.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
*** NEW POST - PART THREE *** Talking about geographical concepts is all well and good, and they can pretty up a curriculum map no end, but what difference can they make, or should they make, to the teacher in the classroom? I take a look. enserm.substack.com/p/concepts-i...
enserm.substack.com
Concepts in the Geography Curriculum
Part Three: Concepts in the classroom
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Mark Enser @ensermark.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
*** NEW POST - PART 2 *** Having explored what geographical concepts are, this next post looks at how a curriculum built around concepts looks different to one that was not - and why it matters. enserm.substack.com/p/concepts-i...
enserm.substack.com
Part Two: Concepts in the Geography Curriculum
How do we build a curriculum with concepts in mind?
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Mark Enser @ensermark.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
*** NEW POST *** The direction of travel would suggest that geographical concepts will play a bigger role in the new National Curriculum for England - but can anyone agree what they are, let alone how teachers in the classroom might actually use them? enserm.substack.com/p/concepts-i...
enserm.substack.com
Concepts in the Geography Curriculum
Part 1: What Do We Mean by a Geographical Concept?
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Becky Francis @beckyfrancis.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
The abuse of the RNLI is obscene. These people are heroes who keep us all safe. The Government needs to come out clearly on this
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Dr David Preece @doctorpreece.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
An absolute privilege to get @ensermark.bsky.social's input giving a wise inspector's perspective on what makes great geography teaching within a department and curriculum context! We reckon this is a great one to read with your Department as part of your development planning!
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Mark Enser @ensermark.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
*** NEW POST *** In this post I take a look at things I see in geography lessons that raise red flags - not because of what they tell me about an individual teacher, but what they tell me about the approach taken in a department or school. learningtoteachgeography.substack.com/p/an-inspect...
learningtoteachgeography.substack.com
An Inspector’s Eye on Geography Lessons
Mark Enser, author, consultant, and former HMI Lead for Geography
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Ben Newmark @bennewmark.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Fascinating post on the nuts and bolts of teaching. More of this sort of thing please! The copying point is interesting - might explore this in a post myself..
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Dale Chapman @dalechapman.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Lovely from Mark
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Ben Newmark @bennewmark.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Congratulations to all teachers in England. This is a superb result and we should all be very proud. www.gov.uk/government/p...
gov.uk
PISA 2025: national report for England
England’s PISA 2025 results, with an international comparison of the mathematics, reading and science performance of 15-year-old pupils.
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Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Exclusive: Ofsted is set to pilot a new complaints process that will 'add greater independent oversight' when schools are unhappy about how the watchdog has handled a complaint schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-to-pi...
schoolsweek.co.uk
Ofsted to pilot new 'more independent' complaints process
But Ruth Perry's sister calls plan 'barely an improvement'
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Tom Richmond @tom-richmond.com · 08/09/2026
Hi Alex. NI has announced a major overhaul of their curriculum to move away from their vague skills-based approach: www.education-ni.gov.uk/articles/cur... Scotland has also announced plans to move away from their skills-based curriculum to one that "clarifies the role of knowledge".
education-ni.gov.uk
Curriculum Reform
Curriculum Reform is a key commitment in the TransformED Strategy and Delivery Plan. This page provides information about the Curriculum Reform Programme.
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Tom Richmond @tom-richmond.com · 08/09/2026
Hi Mark, great question - and the answer is.... Wales was still behind England 15-20 years ago, but a lot closer than they are now. In short, it's getting worse. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Wales' Pisa test results fall further behind rest of UK
Three-yearly maths, reading and science test results show continued "downward trend", says OECD.
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Zoe Enser @greeborunner.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Excellent point
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Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
A gap of that amount is likely to affect GDP given everything we know about human capital development but there's no real way to prove it.
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Tom Richmond @tom-richmond.com · 08/09/2026
They'll be a lot of chatter about England's PISA results this morning, but we need to talk just as much about Wales. They rejected phonics and knowledge-rich curricula in favour of 'areas of learning', 'skills suites' and barely any testing. Wales is now 40 points below England in every domain.
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Becky Francis @beckyfrancis.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
At her speech opening the #PISA2025 resukts @georgiagould.bsky.social highlights the need to keep using evidence and data for system improvement @oecd-ocde.bsky.social
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Becky Francis @beckyfrancis.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Evidence that mobile phone bans in school have been beneficial #PISA2025
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Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
England’s secondary school pupils have risen up the international rankings for their attainment in maths, reading and science. However, the latest PISA results shows a gender gap has opened up in science, with boys outperforming girls. schoolsweek.co.uk/pisa-2025-ri...
schoolsweek.co.uk
PISA 2025: Rise across board, but science gender gap opens
This year's PISA results have dropped - here are the key findings for England's schools
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Becky Francis @beckyfrancis.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... Congratulations to all our teachers and leaders! We are international top 10 for reading, maths and science, and are bucking global trends of learning decline 👏
bbc.co.uk
UK pupils rank highly in international reading, maths and science tests
But the Pisa test scores vary significantly between England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
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Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
‘What has become increasingly clear is that RISE works most efficiently and effectively when the partnerships are well matched and when work builds on improvements already underway.’ schoolsweek.co.uk/making-the-r...
schoolsweek.co.uk
Making the right matches is crucial for RISE to succeed
One year in, the signs are generally positive despite some inevitable teething problems
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