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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

But the teacher is an important driver too, taking this intent to the destination - the children. Without this, the vehicle has no destination. The teacher can also, to continue the analogy, navigate the roads specific to their children - something a curriculum can’t do. #EduSky #GrowingTogether

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

For the intent and design, this takes the curriculum from its starting point and brings the clarity to the meaning of that subject. In our context, we have been thinking of writing and our ‘driver’ is that we want the curriculum to create great writers, not just great writing. This drives our work.

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

This can have a couple of meanings. It can be from the overall intent and design on a more macro scale, but is also from the individual teacher on a more micro scale. Every vehicle needs a ‘driver’ and this is where the ‘driver’ comes in.

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

When we think about a curriculum, we often refer to the scheme, theme, lessons or units we use. For me, this isn’t a curriculum, but this isn’t to say it isn’t useful. It can act as the ‘vehicle’ for the curriculum. It helps the curriculum come from one place to another.

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Had a really good conversation today with other reviewers on Challenge Partners about curriculum and it really made me think about not only how far we have come but also how deep the conversations are now compared to some years ago. Today’s thought was about Vehicles and Drivers. #EduSky 🧵

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Coppice are looking for the newest member of the team! Could you, or someone you know, be our CFOO? If you are interested, or want to find out more about the trust, have a look at our website - www.coppiceprimarypartnership.kent.sch.uk - or get in touch! #GrowingTogetherStrivingForExcellence #CPP

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

This certainly can go wrong. We had a similar issue and had to work really hard to unpick it and start again almost. The central curriculum should help to do the heavy lifting but not take away the heavy thinking. It’s important that teachers still think about enactment in their classrooms.

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Thanks so much. We are still in the journey but seeing the positives already.

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Really well thanks. I hope things are good with you too.

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

Stunning new display up at St Katherine’s School today, really capturing what we want our curriculum to be - to act as both a window and a mirror for our children. Really capturing our #Coppice vision for curriculum. #StrivingForExcellence #EduSky

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Prof Michael Green FCCT @michaelsgreen.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

The DfE are running a series of virtual training sessions aimed at DSLs, Governors & Trustees about the Prevent Duty. I noticed the dates in a DfE update about regional Prevent education coordinators. www.gov.uk/guidance/reg... #Prevent #safeguarding #DSL #edusky ##schoolgovernors

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

What would you not do if asked? How would you respond?

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

This is a great thread on the breakfast club pilot. As mentioned, great idea in theory but the costs seem prohibitive.

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Christopher Such @suchmo83.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

It's half term, which means I have a copy of Primary Reading Simplified to give away. Simply *repost* this post for your chance to win. I will choose a winner at random this Saturday (22nd February).

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

It’s like the second coming! Just when you think you were done, you have to do it al again!

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Emma Turner FCCT @emmaturner75.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

🧵An important part of the primary experience is having a lovely time- adults ringfencing the unique state of childhood and ensuring that primary is a glorious place to be little. Playful and joyful are not the antonyms of high standards and aspiration.

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HeadteacherChat @headteacherchat.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

Anonymously Post: In two-form entry schools, to what extent should books align between partner classes in the same year group? A recent Local Authority visit was highly critical of the variations observed. How much consistency is expected, and what are your thoughts on this issue?

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

Depends a bit on what the school said. Were they expecting to see more alignment. I would expect there to be similarities but AfL would mean that the starting point and therefore learning journeys should look different. Otherwise you are teaching the class you (or they) want and not the one you have

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

We were there last week. We tried to avoid: - saying ‘I could use that in my classroom for …’ - buying something downstairs because it is clever but we have no actual need for it In terms of a side quest - don’t follow the arrows!

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Carl Hendrick @carlhendrick.substack.com · 15/02/2025

*NEW* Making Retrieval Practice Actually Work: Seven Essential Principles for Teachers to Know ⬇️ open.substack.com/pub/carlhend...

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

As an academy CEO, the HMCI could have adjusted term dates for schools in his trust and also moved away from STPCD. Does anyone know if he did this? Or is it easier to suggest now as it doesn’t impact him in the same way? Also, it’s not for Ofsted to suggest policy is it? #EduSky #Education

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Gráinne Hallahan @heymrshallahan.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

Yesterday, Ofsted’s chief inspector posed a question: “190 days of children going in out of 365. I think the question should be is that long enough?” Today, teachers have answered that question… @teachertapp.bsky.social

70% teachers think school holidays should stay the same

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

Looking forward to a busy day ahead. Starting off with a meeting of our executive leadership team followed by a school visit then back for a discussion around supporting a proposal to further support a vulnerable group of children. Then switch to ‘dad’ for parents evening! #GrowingTogether

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

Watched it with my two boys - we have tickets for England XV vs France XV in June for their first match so encouraging them to get an understanding before then - and we were all on the edge of our seats. I may have to apologise to the neighbours tomorrow!

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

I think if a subject is done really well, you can get really high engagement and interest too. If you can find and map really meaningful and purposeful links then this can enhance the overall experience for children. But don’t lose sight of the core concepts you want them to learn.

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

It’s complex. I really value the importance of subject disciplines. When done well, there are lots of opps to develop meaningful links but it takes huge thought and work to get right. I think it’s easier to weave in non curricular areas like the ones mentioned than multiple subject disciplines.

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

No guru either but very interested. Would be very happy to chat about it.

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

Typically insightful post from @moderncassie.bsky.social hitting the nail on the head about the potential unintended consequences of inclusion in the new framework. It’s great to see inclusion put more front and centre, but ‘looking inclusive rather than being inclusive’ is a big risk.

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Great insights as always. reassuring to read as it largely matches how we approach it across the trust. Has prompted me to think about my reports. I tend to share detail with trustees as the packs are prepared for leaders but it is arguably too much.

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Worth asking about pupil numbers and forecasts. These have big budget implications and aren’t necessarily as secure as they were. Also staffing as a percentage of total income as this is something to benchmark against.

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

In an effort to show transparency, it is likely to highlight the challenges of the subjectivity. Also, would leaders be able to interact with the deliberation? I would find it hard to not say something, but it is just another opinion in a room of opinions!

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

The more I think about the whole thing, the more it strikes me that we are never going to solve the big issues in education unless there is a significant change in the way we approach the problems. I agree that some of the problems are ‘wicked’ problems and there are no silver bullets. A thread 1/6

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

4/5 for me - but I have spent a bit of time looking at the toolkits (and shared @michaelt1979.bsky.social thread a few times!). I think all ‘b’ choices scored 3/5!

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

Another dabble into the new Ofsted toolkits another question. Under the data area (where there are different gradings), it mentions attainment and progress, but in different statements, as if they act in isolation. What if you are above in one and below in the other? And which way around. #Edusky

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

There was, but not sure who was invited. The tickets were on eventbrite through the DfE but the email came in via my work account.

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

I don’t have answers and I know it has been said before, but taking politics out of the picture could mean a more long term view on improving the entire system can be taken. We need to think differently and make decisions that take the profession forwards together. 6/6

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

There is no way that the two are going to be comparable. If a purpose is to give parents a clearer view, how does changing the goalposts help? Surely it overcomplicates and creates confusion. Is Good equal to secure or strong? If a school has nothing Exemplary, is it lower than outstanding? 5/6

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

3. With Ofsted, it can be similar. A new HMCI inevitably brings changes based on their own thoughts and ideas. This means that the system that is used to measure us is also constantly changing. Imagine now a school inspected in July 2025 compared to one inspected in November 2025! 4/6

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

2. Even if a political party is in power for more than one term, the chance of having the same people in the department is very unlikely. In this case, the same applies, with each one balancing the party line with their own priorities and preferences. 3/6

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

1. There is never a guarantee that a political party will be in power for longer than 5years. That can mean that educational strategies from the top are, at best, a 5yr strategy, but more often, an opportunity to show a quick win that can look good on paper or in league tables. 2/6

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

There was a tenuous nod to the wider issues but totally agree that it felt very much like more for schools to do when there just isn’t the capacity. The best question for me was the one about the what would we stop doing to do al the new things! A very politics answer too.

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Not sure how I feel after tuning in to the meeting with the #edsec today. Lots of things are discussed and the questions asked seemed fair and reasonable. A little concerned about the road ahead, particularly around the Ofsted framework and what appears a big increased in workload.

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

If required. Some have it regular and ‘booked in’ so it’s the same time every week. I’ve always found it useful when needed. There are some times you just need thinking space and time to get your head down and that can be tricky in the hustle and bustle of school life. Something always comes up!

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Really great couple of days. Yesterday, feeding back to our Education and Curriculum Group about the impact of the positive actions taken since September and today working with a school leadership team on potential solutions to wicked problems. #StrivingForExcellence

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 19/01/2025

It’s a real challenge. Schools trying to find the most cost effective way of providing these experiences to children. They add so much value but for many, the cost outweighs the benefits.

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

Really like this. I remember using our curriculum review tool with some children in year 5 to talk about their history. A phrase that stayed with me was when a child said ‘I just find it all so fascinating!’ They then proceeded to tell me all about the he Benin Kingdom. It was brilliant!

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

We always struggle with participation in our staff survey. It makes the results difficult to interpret as it tends to be for a really small sample size. We anonymise the survey but still it doesn’t have a large uptake.

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Mark Chatley @markchatley.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

We moved from SIMS to Arbor. All three schools in the MAT went at the same time and it was no bother. We moved in May and ran both until Sept to allow staff time to familiarise themselves and we haven’t looked back. Looking to upgrade Arbor too now to consolidate everything into one place.

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