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Ian Stokes

@ianstokes.org
198 followers 210 following 84 posts

Working with school leaders and governing bodies. School governor. Analysing & explaining school data. Helping you to tell your story. www.ianstokes.org

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Reposted by Ian Stokes
Tes magazine @tesmagazine.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Exclusive: DfE apologises to primary heads for a mistake in classifying pupils’ prior attainment – but leaders warn of ‘additional stress and workload’ as a result of the data error
tes.com
DfE apologises to primary heads for prior attainment error
Schools are advised that progress scores will not be affected, but heads voice fears about ‘additional stress and workload’
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Ian Stokes @ianstokes.org · 04/09/2026
www.simplyseed.co.uk has a good range of different tomato varieties
simplyseed.co.uk
Buy Vegetable Seeds, Flower Seeds and Potato Seeds online from only 59p pkt
Grow your own plants with our quality flower and vegetable seeds. Buy online from SimplySeed.co.uk. We select the best seed varieties - so you don't have to.
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Ian Stokes @ianstokes.org · 12/08/2026
"I appreciate the fact that you're really busty" ... should have been "busy"...
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Ian Stokes @ianstokes.org · 08/05/2026
#fridayfive - too much to choose from so stuck to 1 animal 1. My lovely horse. Divine Comedy 2. Shergar. Bette Davis & the Balconettes 3. Horse Latitudes. The Doors 4. Bring on the dancing horses. Ech & the Bunny men 5. Dead Horse. Yard Act.
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Ian Stokes @ianstokes.org · 25/03/2026
That's what I came here to say
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Ian Stokes @ianstokes.org · 12/03/2026
Very disappointing and unprincipled
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Reposted by Ian Stokes
Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
In case you missed it: Family income data will replace free school meals eligibility as the trigger for pupil premium and other deprivation funding for schools schoolsweek.co.uk/pupil-premium-inc…
schoolsweek.co.uk
Income to replace FSM as trigger for disadvantage funding
Government 'will design new model' for allocating the pupil premium and other disadvantage cash
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Reposted by Ian Stokes
Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Breaking: The government has pledged write off 90 per cent of councils’ historic SEND deficits – estimated to be worth £5 billion schoolsweek.co.uk/government-to-wri…
schoolsweek.co.uk
Government to write of 90% of councils' SEND deficits
Local authorities will get a grant to cover all but 10% of deficits accrued by the end of 2025-26
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Reposted by Ian Stokes
Peter Jukes @peterjukes.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
If Mandelson is being investigated for his Epstein connections, he must also be investigated for his Thiel connections, because they ran a joint fund when Mandelson fixed Starmer's visit to Palantir bylinetimes.com/2025/04/25/p...
bylinetimes.com
'Peter Mandelson's Fixing of Keir Starmer’s Visit to Spytech Firm Palantir Raises Serious Questions'
Palantir was represented by a lobbying firm founded by Mandelson, Iain Overton and Max Colbert report
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Reposted by Ian Stokes
Jason Sinclair @jsinclair.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
Politicians: don't use AI to make your maps.
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Reposted by Ian Stokes
Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
Exclusive: Family income data is to replace free school meals eligibility as the trigger for pupil premium and other deprivation funding for schools, the government has said schoolsweek.co.uk/pupil-premiu...
schoolsweek.co.uk
Income to replace FSM as trigger for disadvantage funding
Government 'will design new model' for allocating the pupil premium and other disadvantage cash
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Reposted by Ian Stokes
Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
School leaders are still facing problems with the government’s AI-generated attendance reports, despite them being re-issued after errors – as a government leader cautions 'no model is perfect' schoolsweek.co.uk/leaders-stil...
schoolsweek.co.uk
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Reposted by Ian Stokes
Tes magazine @tesmagazine.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
Exclusive: Ofsted's demand that schools provide graded self-evaluations will add to the stress staff face around inspection, heads' leaders warn
tes.com
Schools grading themselves is 'almost impossible', heads warn Ofsted
Ofsted's expectation that schools provide a graded self-evaluation using its new five-point scale has sparked warnings from heads' leaders
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Reposted by Ian Stokes
David Henig @davidheniguk.bsky.social · 19/10/2025
I am outraged that apparently jews are not welcome at football matches in Tel Aviv (am I doing this right?) news.sky.com/story/tel-av...
news.sky.com
Tel Aviv football derby cancelled as 'violent riots' see nine arrested
Police said dozens of smoke grenades and pyrotechnic devices were thrown, injuring 12 civilians and three police officers.
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Ian Stokes @ianstokes.org · 18/10/2025
Some impressive cognitive dissonance being displayed by DfE here: "Ban smart phones in schools" *and* "encourage schools to use AI tutors for students"
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Ian Stokes @ianstokes.org · 17/10/2025
🤷 Those numbers would match the current figures for Y1 Phonics "Working at" national attainment, but that's not watch she's said. I think Bridget needs to check the numeracy skills of her advisors, instead of giving schools a hard time over literacy!
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Ian Stokes @ianstokes.org · 17/10/2025
90% of children who are neither Disadvantaged or SEN *already* reach expected standard, compared to only 2/3 of Disadvantaged and less than half of SEN. Maybe they should have a 'laser focus' on the causes of those issues instead of announcing meaningless targets?
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Ian Stokes @ianstokes.org · 16/10/2025
90% of children who are neither Disadvantaged or SEN *already* reach expected standard, compared to only 2/3 of Disadvantaged and less than half of SEN. Maybe focus on the causes of those issues instead of announcing meaningless targets?
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Ian Stokes @ianstokes.org · 16/10/2025
90% of children who are neither Disadvantaged or SEN *already* reach expected standard, compared to only 2/3 of Disadvantaged and less than half of SEN. Maybe focus on the causes of those issues instead of announcing meaningless targets?
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Reposted by Ian Stokes
chappell roan atkinson @turpywurpy.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
To be clear, the average reading age in the UK is 9 years old.
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Reposted by Ian Stokes
Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
A 'locality clusters' funding model is being considered as part of government reforms to the special needs system, but what is it, and what are the benefits and risks? Schools Week investigates…
schoolsweek.co.uk
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Reposted by Ian Stokes
Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Progress in returning to pre-pandemic phonics test results has stifled this year, while gaps widen for SEN and disadvantaged pupils
schoolsweek.co.uk
Disadvantaged pupils see drop in phonics results
And overall progress since the pandemic has plateaued
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Reposted by Ian Stokes
Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
⚖️ 'Done right, this could finally give school leaders, inspectors and parents a tool that truly reflects the reality of teaching and learning across diverse communities' @yorkshire-steve.bsky.social
schoolsweek.co.uk
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Reposted by Ian Stokes
Yorkshire Bylines @yorkshirebylines.co.uk · 01/10/2025
Despite losing an appeal at a public inquiry earlier this year over night flights, Leeds Bradford Airport appears to have come out on top, at least for now By Nick Hodgkinson
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
The People v Leeds Bradford Airport – the conflict continues
Despite losing an appeal at a public inquiry earlier this year over night flights, Leeds Bradford Airport appears to have come out on top, at least for now
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Ian Stokes @ianstokes.org · 29/09/2025
Our payment is still showing up as pending in our banking app and we haven't received an email from you yet, do you know what's going on??
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Reposted by Ian Stokes
Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
Exclusive: The government plans to introduce a mandatory reading test for year 8 pupils in its upcoming schools white paper, amid fears poorer children are disengaging in the early years of secondary school
schoolsweek.co.uk
White paper to usher in year 8 reading test
Move to ensure poorer pupils are not shut off from wider curriculum
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Reposted by Ian Stokes
The Guardian @theguardian.com · 26/09/2025
Year 8 state school pupils in England could face mandatory reading tests
theguardian.com
Year 8 state school pupils in England could face mandatory reading tests
Proposal aims to tackle under-achievement by white working-class children and improve schools’ focus on reading Pupils at state schools in England will face new reading tests in an attempt to tackle under-achievement by white working-class children. The government’s forthcoming white paper on schools is to include a new test of reading ability for pupils in year 8, aged 12 or 13, in an effort to encourage secondary schools to improve their teaching. Continue reading...
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Reposted by Ian Stokes
Caleb Scoville @calebscoville.bsky.social · 13/09/2025
www.economist.com/graphic-deta...
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Reposted by Ian Stokes
FE Week @feweek.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
🚨Breaking: Apprenticeships will shift to the Department for Work and Pensions in the Whitehall skills policy shakeup, Jacqui Smith confirms feweek.co.uk/dwp-will-tak...
feweek.co.uk
DWP will take over apprenticeships policy, minister confirms
Shifting adult skills and apprenticeships will give "bigger emphasis on skills", Jacqui Smith claims
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Reposted by Ian Stokes
Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
Exclusive: Ofsted is refusing to publish consultation data showing how many people opposed its new report card inspections, despite pledging transparency over the high-profile reforms schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-refus...
schoolsweek.co.uk
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Reposted by Ian Stokes
Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
🖥️ Exclusive: A management information system (MIS) outage at a major supplier has left schools unable to pay suppliers, run after-school clubs and respond to safeguarding concerns
schoolsweek.co.uk
MIS outage leaves schools in the lurch
Major supplier apologises as schools unable to pay suppliers and respond to safeguarding concerns
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Ian Stokes @ianstokes.org · 06/09/2025
Hmmm. "I knew exactly what it was going to be about" ...and... "when you think you already know something" Maybe try reading the book before you review it? Matt 5:7 "First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."
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Reposted by Ian Stokes
Adam McAuley @adam0407.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
My super-talented friend, former colleague (and former student!) Adam Gillett has just published his first book, focusing on “nurture the wellbeing of staff to retain valuable educators and create positive learning environments, ensure academic success and address student needs.” amzn.eu/d/dMKlJBK
amzn.eu
Opening the CAGE: A Framework for Teacher Wellbeing: Amazon.co.uk: Gillett, Adam: 9781032781334: Books
Buy Opening the CAGE: A Framework for Teacher Wellbeing 1 by Gillett, Adam (ISBN: 9781032781334) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
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Reposted by Ian Stokes
Jane @localnotail.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
On the same day in the Telegraph:
The Telegraph

Rayner tax scandal - £40k tax dodge - Statement

Angela Rayner dodges £40,000 stamp duty

Deputy Prime Minister reduces tax bill for Hove flat by declaring it as her main residence

[Photo: Angela Rayner pictured at the weekend in Hove, where she has just bought a flat Credit: Dan Charity/The Sun on Sunday]

Robert Mendick Chief Reporter. Amy Gibbons Political Correspondent

29 August 2025 8:57am BSTThe Telegraph

Money > Property > Second homes

How to avoid tax on your second home

From stamp duty to council tax, shield your wealth from Labour's tightening net

[Photo of houses around a bay - Areas such as Cornwall have added a premium to council tax bills for second homes Credit: iStockphoto]

Fran Ivens Senior Money Writer

29 August 2025 1:21pm BST
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Reposted by Ian Stokes
FFT Education Datalab @fftedudatalab.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
NEW POST: DfE will need to take account of age when comparing schools’ rates of pupils achieving a good level of development We look at some of the things DfE should consider when providing schools with comparative analysis of pupils reaching a good level of development. vist.ly/45k4m
ffteducationdatalab.org.uk
DfE will need to take account of age when comparing schools’ rates of pupils achieving a good level of development - FFT Education Datalab
We look at some of the things DfE should consider when providing schools with comparative analysis of the percentage of pupils reaching a good level of development (GLD) at the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
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Reposted by Ian Stokes
Alex Ford @apf102.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
OK AI in education seems to be taking hold - policy making, planning, research, resource creation... But do we understand AI’s relationship with truth… and how can we help children to grasp that what AI tends to do is to manipulate us rather than inform us? Some thoughts for #historyteacher s 🧵🪡
media.tenor.com
a penguin wearing a wizard hat sits at a desk with a computer and the words let chatgpt do it
ALT: a penguin wearing a wizard hat sits at a desk with a computer and the words let chatgpt do it
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Reposted by Ian Stokes
The Green Party of England & Wales @greenparty.org.uk · 02/09/2025
Draw the line. Join the Green Party today ⤵️ join.greenparty.org.uk?utm_source=s...
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Reposted by Ian Stokes
Sandy Leaton Gray @drleatongray.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
10/ In other words, we are fixing the wrong problem. Curriculum and pedagogy are treated as levers for equality, while the material conditions of inequality go unaddressed.
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Ian Stokes @ianstokes.org · 28/07/2025
I've followed you to hear some challenging, rational views that I might not agree with but which might be worthy of consideration. But not this swivel-eyed, frothing at the mouth nonsense. See ya.
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Reposted by Ian Stokes
Yorkshire Bylines @yorkshirebylines.co.uk · 23/07/2025
✍️ When evil becomes normal: what Gaza reveals about the human condition A Gaza doctor’s chilling account challenges us to face the banality of evil – and the global powers quietly enabling it By Andy Brown @andybrown1951.bsky.social
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
When evil becomes normal: what Gaza reveals about the human condition
A Gaza doctor’s chilling account challenges us to face the banality of evil – and the global powers quietly enabling it
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Ian Stokes @ianstokes.org · 22/07/2025
@adam0407.bsky.social @viks0110.bsky.social Something for you to look out for on your next trip to the big smoke
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David Wearing @davidwearing.bsky.social · 19/07/2025
Absolutely dystopian juxtaposition from the Guardian front page. Difficult to understand how anyone of decency and conscience can defend this government at this point. Just sheer moral degeneracy to arm a state that does this and arrest people for objecting. Wtf are we doing as a country?
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Ruth Swailes @ruthswailes.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
Yesterday I started a thorough critique of “The writing framework". It’s 150 pages long and there are only 2 very superficial mentions of gross motor skills that I can find. Not a single mention of embodied cognition. A shockingly poor and potentially dangerous omission at a time when we know more
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Tom Sutcliffe @tds153.bsky.social · 14/07/2025
2125: Brontë country is a wilderness of mesquite, cactus and tumbleweed, with average daily temperatures of 40 degrees. “But at least we stopped the wind turbines”.
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Alan Rusbridger @arusbridger.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
Five words about Palestine Action could get me arrested. By Ronan Bennett www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/fre...
prospectmagazine.co.uk
Five words about Palestine Action could get me arrested
Support for the protest group was legal last week—but now it is ‘terrorism’. This is an assault on our liberty
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Reposted by Ian Stokes
The Guardian @theguardian.com · 07/07/2025
Nearly a quarter of foster places in England provided by private equity-backed firms
theguardian.com
Nearly a quarter of foster places in England provided by private equity-backed firms
Experts raise alarm over ‘commodification’ of vulnerable children as independent fostering agencies make millions in profit Experts have raised alarm over the “commodification” of vulnerable foster children as analysis reveals almost a quarter of all foster places in England are now provided by private equity-backed companies making millions of pounds in profits. Analysis for the Guardian by thinktank Common Wealth found independent fostering agencies (IFAs) are making millions via public funding from councils to provide placements for foster children, while foster carers struggle to pay bills. Continue reading...
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Carla Denyer @carladenyer.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
Today women MPs wore Suffragette sashes to celebrate Votes for Women–won by civil disobedience & celebrated in Parliament's gift shop. And yet now the government is asking us to vote to proscribe Palestine Action–a modern civil disobedience group–as terrorists
A group of women stand in an old building wearing green, white and purple sashes 
A greeting card with an illustration of a woman chained to a railing, with the words 'She who dares, wins'
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Henry Morris @mrhenrymorris.substack.com · 02/07/2025
Bob Vylan’s IDF Chant Ignites Uproar, While Actual Atrocities Get a Pass The PNG Courier's UK correspondent with the latest from Glastonbury mrhenrymorris.substack.com/p/the-png-co...
mrhenrymorris.substack.com
The PNG Courier's overseas correspondent with the latest from Glastonbury
Bob Vylan’s IDF Chant Ignites Uproar, While Actual Atrocities Get a Pass
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Jonathan Portes @jdportes.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
Personally, I'd reserve overheated rhetoric like "national shame" for our (and the international community's) failure to take action to halt systematic war crimes and the deliberate murder of starving civilians, not what some rappers said at a music festival. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Chief Rabbi says 'vile Jew-hatred at Glastonbury' a 'national shame'
Sir Ephraim Mirvis hit out after Bob Vylan's controversial performance at Glastonbury was aired by BBC.
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Tes magazine @tesmagazine.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
Unions @naht.org.uk‬ and @ascl-uk.bsky.social are considering asking members to stop working as Ofsted inspectors amid concerns over report card plans
tes.com
Unions could ask school leaders to quit as Ofsted inspectors
ASCL and NAHT set out ‘unprecedented step’ being considered in letter to education secretary
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