Sign in

Loic Menzies

@loicmnzs.bsky.social
1.3K followers 724 following 105 posts

Edu-policy specialist. Chief Research Officer @centreedusyst.bsky.social Teacher, teacher trainer & youth-worker first ✍️Writing📖 on policy making 🎓Academically affiliated Jesus College Cam/Sheffield IoE 🧗Often Climbing linktr.ee/loicmnzs

PostsRepliesMedia
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
So lovely to see my book on display in the library today, and to be able to thank the team, the Intellectual Forum, and the wider @jesuscollegecam.bsky.social community for giving me such a lovely haven in which to write it. 🥰
010
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
‘Singapore on Thames’, ‘small boat crossings’, ‘grammar school gambles’ & ‘maxed out national credit cards’ - Narratives at 4️⃣ levels, shape what is thinkable & doable in policy but can also be used to shape possibilities. Order now to find out more: 🙌 www.amazon.co.uk/How-Policy-H...
010
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
They’ve arrived!!!! 🥳 📖 🍾
120
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
“Too much emphasis on political institutions is like sex education with too much emphasis on anatomy” (according to B Crick, architect of Citizenship Ed) So in Chapter 4 of my book I tell 2 policy stories to show how structure&agency interact to shape th govt machine www.amazon.co.uk/How-Policy-H...
000
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
As yet another political transition looms over the horizon it might feel like churn is winning the day once again. But, in Ch3 of my book I identity 6️⃣ mechanisms for continuity that are wired into our policy system. ✅ Preorder now to find out more! www.amazon.co.uk/How-Policy-H...
002
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
So what *is* policy? In Chapter 2 of ‘How Policy Happens’ I explain - using the story of Free Schools & their journey from Michael Gove’s speech about “schools upstairs from chip shops” to 4 year olds cross-legged in 16th century tithe barns. 👀 Pre-order here! www.amazon.co.uk/How-Policy-H...
111
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
When I 1st walked into the world of education policy it felt like stumbling around a black box & it took me years to learn how to crank the handle. But the policy process *can* be explained, and it *could* run more smoothly. That’s why I wrote How Policy Happens... www.amazon.co.uk/How-Policy-H...
000
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
What can countries like England learn from Netherlands, Finland & Wales’ reforms to their special needs systems? Taylor Hughson and I share a few lessons in @schoolsweek.bsky.social -all based on @centreedusyst.bsky.social @nuffieldfoundation.org funded research. schoolsweek.co.uk/looking-over...
lnkd.in
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
021
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
Keep checking my email to see if @jamesomalley.co.uk has written a piece about the northern powerhouse rail announcement yet… ⏳
100
Reposted by Loic Menzies
Helen Amass @helen-amass.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
"England already has one of the most complex and messy accountability systems in the world, and there is a risk that MAT inspections could add another layer of accountability without freeing up any space." Interesting analysis here from @loicmnzs.bsky.social, drawing on international comparisons.
tes.com
What will MAT inspections really change?
With Labour announcing that it will introduce inspections of trusts, what do the accountability arrangements for groups of schools in other parts of the world tell us about how the new system will ope...
012
Reposted by Loic Menzies
Tes magazine @tesmagazine.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
How will MAT inspection help? Researcher @loicmnzs.bsky.social looks at the lessons to be learned from accountability systems around the world
tes.com
What will MAT inspections really change?
With Labour announcing that it will introduce inspections of trusts, what do the accountability arrangements for groups of schools in other parts of the world tell us about how the new system will operate? Loic Menzies takes a look
021
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
So @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social has confirmed Trust inspection could begin in 2027. But how “out there” is the idea? Thanks to @centreedusyst.bsky.social’s groundbreaking international study, funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org , I can tell you. @tesmagazine.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
tes.com
What will MAT inspections really change?
With Labour announcing that it will introduce inspections of trusts, what do the accountability arrangements for groups of schools in other parts of the world tell us about how the new system will ope...
033
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 26/12/2025
4 dilemmas of educational fairness from my chapter in @ptieducation.Bsky.social’s recent book: 1. Just desserts & merit 2. Gold stars v real-world opportunities 3. The moralising state 4. The gilded cage of aptitudes Book available here: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/38931669...
020
Reposted by Loic Menzies
Mark Goodrich @markgoodrich.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
Couldn’t include it since I haven’t read it yet but an honourable mention to this new essay collection from Civitas. With contributions from @claresealy.bsky.social @bennewmark.bsky.social @tombennett71.bsky.social and others, it’s sure to be worth reading. www.civitas.org.uk/publications...
civitas.org.uk
The value of a knowledge-rich curriculum
The value of a knowledge-rich curriculum: An essay collection is a multi-author anthology bringing together a wide range of professionals from teaching, education leadership, policy and academia to…
011
Reposted by Loic Menzies
Mark Goodrich @markgoodrich.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
No. 3 is a fascinating report on approaches to SEND across different jurisdictions by CES by @loicmnzs.bsky.social and others. I have only read the summary so far (linked below) but there is plenty in there to think about! 3a551fc8-7675-4cc5-9ecd-8697a47d348f.filesusr.com/ugd/5d3f2a_f...
3a551fc8-7675-4cc5-9ecd-8697a47d348f.filesusr.com
122
Reposted by Loic Menzies
Mark Goodrich @markgoodrich.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
No. 2 is this article in @schoolsweek.bsky.social (who need to add a Bluesky share button!) on a recent study looking at note-taking and AI (h/t @paulclinepsy.bsky.social for drawing to my attention). Lots to unpack and ponder here but note-taking still the best! schoolsweek.co.uk/note-taking-...
schoolsweek.co.uk
How note-taking and AI reading aids could support learning
Our research found students performed better when they took notes - whether or not they also used an LLM
121
Reposted by Loic Menzies
Mark Goodrich @markgoodrich.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
Hi #EduSky - it's my last #Saturday3 before Christmas and first up is this fascinating blog on Basil Bernstein by @jonesedu.bsky.social. I have to confess that I had not heard of him but this explains how he anticipated a lot of cogsci and yet was quite different. bsky.app/profile/jone...
184
Reposted by Loic Menzies
Chris Owen @chr-owen.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
This is well worth the read. Most thorough comparison of #SEND across countries I’ve read. @samfr.bsky.social @mmulholland.bsky.social
051
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
England is not alone in grappling with rising need, unsatisfactory support and spiralling costs in its SEND system. But comparing countries shows that policy choices diverge in 7 important areas. Find out more here! 👀www.ces.partners
132
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
England is not alone in grappling with rising need, unsatisfactory support & spiralling costs in its #SEND system. But comparing countries shows that policy choices diverge in 7 important areas. Find out more from @centreedusyst.bsky.social! 👀 www.ces.partners/copy-of-latest @nuffieldfoundation.org
010
Reposted by Loic Menzies
Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
One of the side projects I've been involved in over the last few years is the Centre for Education Systems - doing big comparative reviews of 14 systems around the world. We've now published our first three reports on curriculum, accountability and SEND. www.ces.partners/copy-of-latest
ces.partners
The Centre For Education Systems | CES Partners
Centre for Education Systems (CES) exists to improve the effectiveness of education policy by learning from education systems around the world
14316
Reposted by Loic Menzies
Professor Anna Vignoles @annavignoles.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
Given the debate on the English school curriculum and concerns about the growth in pupils with SEND, you might want to look at some interesting international comparisons from the Centre for Education Systems with @loicmnzs.bsky.social @samfr.bsky.social Lucy Crehan and Patrick Wall www.ces.partners
ces.partners
The Centre For Education Systems | CES Partners
Centre for Education Systems (CES) exists to improve the effectiveness of education policy by learning from education systems around the world
062
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
- Is our curriculum unusually overloaded? - What does a supportive accountability system look like? - Does anyone get better bang for their buck out of their SEND system? ...now, thanks to @nuffieldfoundation.org's support, there's somewhere you can go to get the answers. www.ces.partners
273
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
Fascinating piece, looking beyond correlations and delving into some of the potential causal mechanisms at play
020
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
So much going on in this excerpt from Blunkett’s diaries: alliances & coalitions; strategic narratives; negotiation & trade-offs; the influence of personal experience on powerful actors; policy windows/multiple streams; &, the sheer frustration of “drilling through the hard boards”
010
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
INSET season is just round the corner - so @teachertapp.bsky.social are spotlighting this handy research @profbeckyallen.bsky.social, Iain Ford and I worked on to provide some hard evidence on what’s going on with CPD… teachertapp.com/uk/publicati...
032
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
Given all the talk of SEND reform in England at moment, I’m delighted to be the PI on this newly funded @centreedusyst.bsky.social work in partnership with @ioe.bsky.social, supported by @nuffieldfoundation.org. Fascinating to learn about other countries’ approaches + the genesis of their reforms
020
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
How can politicians make the case for educational equity in an age of populism? Just stumbled across this blog - written nearly 5 years ago. Still feels very relevant. Featuring @jonathansimons.bsky.social and others... cfey.org/2020/12/gene...
cfey.org
Generating political will for educational equity: When it’s all true. But it’s not all the truth.
Trump defeated, Dom Cummings in retreat from Downing Street – box in hand and tail between legs. It’s almost as if the wind has gone from the billowing sails of populism. Only time will tell whether N...
020
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 31/07/2025
Amazing anecdote about the Pope interceding in the debate on grant maintained schools in the 1980s
140
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
These two know where we keep the mealworms…
010
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
Absolute honour to chair this panel of superstars @royalsociety.org yesterday, including @duncanastle.bsky.social & @tamsinford.bsky.social
241
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
Massive pleasure to visit Melbourn VC last week. Highlights included chatting to a pupil about the “reasonable” & “fair” way consistent behaviour expectations & sanctions had been brought in &hearing Head Rachel’s skyhigh ambitions for future. Congrats to all www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-n...
cambridge-news.co.uk
Behaviour improves rapidly at Cambridgeshire school since negative Ofsted report
Three out of four categories assessed were still rated 'requires improvement'
000
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
Finally sent the last chapter of my book to the editor his morning. Here lie the remains of a frenzied search for a conclusion.
030
Reposted by Loic Menzies
Tom Richmond @tom-richmond.com · 13/06/2025
In my latest podcast, @loicmnzs.bsky.social explained why his new @ippr.org / @ambitioninstitute.bsky.social report (co-authored with Marie Hamer) aims to expand and improve the training available to teachers and leaders. Listen to the full episode here: insideyoured.com
032
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
1/2 Spending review includes money for ofsted to introduce MAT inspection. Ofsted might not be the most popular place to spend money so fair play to them for biting the bullet on this….
110
Reposted by Loic Menzies
Richard Selfridge @richardselfridge.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Excellent food for thought on the latest ED:SK podcast with @tom-richmond.com‬, @loicmnzs.bsky.social & @avneem.bsky.social Do we need to rethink how we train teachers and leaders in schools? podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/d...
podcasts.apple.com
Do we need to rethink how we train teachers and leaders in schools?
Podcast Episode · Inside Your Ed · 06/04/2025 · 31m
012
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
Could this in today's @schoolsweek.bsky.social be hinting at something like the persistent disadvantage premium - as recommended by @edupolicyinst.bsky.social and @ippr.org / @thedifferenceed.bsky.social?
121
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
“The idea that the child limit has achieved totemic status among potential Lab-Reform switchers in the Red Wall is for the birds” >> time to end the two child cap. Well said @eddorrell.bsky.social for @labourlist.bsky.social labourlist.org/2025/05/two-...
labourlist.org
'Ignore stereotypes. Reform-leaning Labour voters dislike the two-child cap' - LabourList
Labour voters of all persuasions, from progressives in Brighton to those in Reform’s sights in Teesside, are ready to back an end to the two-child benefit cap. The decision can’t come quickly enough.
021
Reposted by Loic Menzies
Sean Harris FCCT @thatpovertyguy.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
💡 New report from @ippr.bsky.social @ambitioninstitute.bsky.social on developing professional development at scale for better retention (& tackling inequalities) Useful report @loicmnzs.bsky.social & Marie Hamer! #CPD #Schools #Teachers #Education #Ambition #DfE
111
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
In light of my recent @ippr.bsky.social @ambitioninstitute.bsky.social report 'A System that Empowers' it's great to see this new, free CPD Leadership Reflection Tool, from @teacherdevtrust.bsky.social tdtrust.org
tdtrust.org
Home - Teacher Development Trust
Helping leaders build stronger schools through effective professional development CPD means more than INSET days or short-term solutions. It’s an essential ongoing strategy that supports and improves ...
040
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
If @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social’s vision was ‘decent standards for most’, she could pursue the same strategy governments have opted for over the past couple of decades: clear expectations, tight oversight and firm intervention - but it’s not. So what should she do? schoolsweek.co.uk/labour-must-...
000
Reposted by Loic Menzies
Nick Pointer @nickpointer.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
This an important read 👇 Bold yet balanced pushes to challenge government to lead this work, with a real emphasis on a) increasing the choice schools have in PD providers, but also b) emphasising the role of capacity building for schools and trusts to develop their own, well-contextualised PD offer.
021
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Across the OECD teachers participate in 62 hrs of professional devlpmnt a year on average but the median in England is only 21-30. England shouldn't just keep pace with these benchmarks it should lead the way Here's how: www.ippr.org/articles/a-s... @ippr.bsky.social @ambitioninstitute.bsky.social
ippr.org
A system that empowers: The future of professional development | IPPR
We need to keep improving education standards, and tackle inequalities in achievement, both for pupils from low-income families and for children with speci
032
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
New findings from a natural experiment in Pakistan suggest that 4-8yr olds found it easier to pick up literacy outside of school, than social & emotional skills. Paper by Nadia Siddiqui et al. www.researchgate.net/publication/...
researchgate.net
(PDF) Does school matter for children's cognitive and non‐cognitive learning? Findings from a natural experiment in Pakistan and India
PDF | This paper reports on the findings of a natural experiment based on a sample of 1123 children aged 4–8 from the provinces of Punjab in Pakistan,... | Find, read and cite all the research you nee...
000
Reposted by Loic Menzies
Pepe Di’Iasio @pepediiasio.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
‘We cannot raise standards without raising the expertise of our teachers and school leaders.’ Some great research promoting the power of investing in our workforce highlighting the positive impact this has particularly for our most disadvantaged
021
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
Great piece from @eleanorbusby.bsky.social in @the-independent.com about today’s @ippr.bsky.social @ambitioninstitute.bsky.social report “A System that Empowers” on the future of teacher professional development www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
independent.co.uk
Government urged to invest £260m in teacher training to boost school standards
All teachers should be given free access to a ‘golden thread’ of core professional qualifications, a think tank and charity has suggested.
031
Reposted by Loic Menzies
Tom Richmond @tom-richmond.com · 29/04/2025
Could better professional development help tackle the teacher retention crisis? Lots to ponder in this interesting new report from Loic and Marie.
011
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
Investment in professional expertise would unleash a powerful cycle of improvement, empowering teachers to provide the education our children deserve. My new @ippr.bsky.social report with Ambition Institute sets out a blueprint for a professional development entitlement www.ippr.org/articles/a-s...
ippr.org
A system that empowers: The future of professional development | IPPR
We need to keep improving education standards, and tackle inequalities in achievement, both for pupils from low-income families and for children with speci
073
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 26/04/2025
I know these things are complicated & I dont know the answers, but watching the impact the last weeks’ events have had & will continue to have, on my trans friends has been horrid, so Im going to head to one of the protests this afternoon. There has to be a less brutal way to navigate these tensions
170
Loic Menzies @loicmnzs.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
Great profile of my @ippr.bsky.social colleague @avneem.bsky.social in today's @schoolsweek.bsky.social - and another teaser for next week's big report with Ambition Institute on what next for Labour's teacher professional development entitlement...
022