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Roger McDonald

@rogmcdonald.bsky.social
138 followers 108 following 16 posts

Mountain walker and runner. Associate Professor in Primary Education. Interest in imagination, passionate and purposeful teaching for the empowerment of young people. Reading for Pleasure.

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Reposted by Roger McDonald
Janet MacKenzie @janmakarta.eurosky.social · 13/11/2025
Excellent and engaging conversation between Zack Polanski and Natasha Devon about education and how Michael Gove and austerity have between them caused a mental health crisis among young people. Enjoyable despite the challenging topic.
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Roger McDonald @rogmcdonald.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
Fantastic to have @migrationmuseum.org with the amazing University of Greenwich BA QTS students today. Exploring, questioning and celebrating who we are.
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The News Agents @thenewsagents.co.uk · 06/09/2025
"He's done everything he could to break down this country, and now he's going off to tell everyone abroad how broken we are." Nigel Farage loves the UK so much, he flew to America this week to tell Congress how awful it is. Is this patriotism?
thenewsagents.co.uk
The shameless hypocrisy of Nigel Farage | The News Agents
Nigel Farage has been branded a “Putin-loving free speech impostor and Trump sycophant” during his visit to the US to plead for help with Britain's so-called ‘free-speech problem.’ But will slagging…
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Teresa Cremin @teresacremin.bsky.social · 14/07/2025
Delighted this edition is now out with 64 contributors!! @primaryenglish.bsky.social @primaryteachew.bsky.social @kashleyenglish.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social @rogmcdonald.bsky.social Built to last with classroom teachers voices too!
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Teresa Cremin @teresacremin.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
Booking now LiVE for our Oct. 18th Conference! tinyurl.com/bn6d2x3m Milton Keynes 🎈Do Join us! 🎈@openuni-rfp.bsky.social @jonnybid.bsky.social @readingrocks.bsky.social @kashleyenglish.bsky.social @debbiethomas.bsky.social An engaging reading community focused day 🎈@uklitassociation.bsky.social
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Teresa Cremin @teresacremin.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
Wonderful @openuni-rfp.bsky.social @uklitassociation.bsky.social Student Teacher #readingforpleasure Ambassadors presentations tonight! From universities across the country! Future Reading Teachers! @rogmcdonald.bsky.social @kashleyenglish.bsky.social @debbiethomas.bsky.social
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Michael Rosen @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social · 31/05/2025
michaelrosenblog.blogspot.com/2025/05/this...
michaelrosenblog.blogspot.com
This year's grammar test for 10 and 11 year olds in England: my thoughts on the questions
The time’s come round again for my annual response to what used to be called the ‘SPaG’ test and is now the GPS.   Below are examples of m...
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Oasis @oasisuk.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
In his latest piece for the Church Times, @stevechalke.bsky.social argues that alongside national conversations about masculinity, violence and smartphones, we need a conversation about the spiritual health of our young people. 👉 Read more here: www.churchtimes.co.uk/topics/young-…
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Roger McDonald @rogmcdonald.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
Don't miss out on a chance to apply to be in the 2025/26 cohort of schools working towards the prestigious UKLA/OU Reading for Pleasure Quality Mark. The Quality Mark is open to Primary and Secondary settings which have RfP developed across the provision. www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la...
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Prof Michael Green FCCT @michaelsgreen.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
The DfE has updated its SEND guidance for school governing boards. Highly recommend reading. Includes signposting to some useful additional resources & a checklist for governors. www.gov.uk/government/p... #SEND #Inclusion #schools #schoolleaders #schoolgovernors
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Lewis Goodall @lewisgoodall.com · 21/02/2025
Lie after lie has been told this week about how the Ukraine war started, from the Kremlin and the White House. Here's our News Agents video essay which explains the truth, and spells out why Trump clings so close to Putin and lives in his warped reality. www.youtube.com/watch?v=cufM...
youtube.com
Ukraine War: The New Trump & Putin Axis Explained
YouTube video by The News Agents
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Dr Rebecca Simpson-Hargreaves @drrshargreaves.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
In just over a week's time the @uklitassociation.bsky.social online national conference is happening, do join us for a fab morning and taking about the potential for literacy to break boundaries and help children and young people navigate the world we are in ukla.org/nc25/ #EduSky
ukla.org
National Conference 2025 - UK Literacy Association
Our annual one-day, online conference will take place on March 1st 2025.
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Voice 21 @voice21oracy.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
🗣️We are looking for a new Director of Programmes. Are you a proactive and collaborative leader with a deep understanding of the educational landscape? We want to hear from you👇 www.prospect-us.co.uk/jobs/190952-...
prospect-us.co.uk
Director of Programmes - Prospectus Recruitment Agency
Prospectus is delighted to be supporting Voice 21 as they look to appoint a new Director of Programmes – a key senior leadership role supporting with delivery of their new 5-year strategy at a vital t...
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Teresa Cremin @teresacremin.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
Check out these stunning titles ! www.empathylab.uk/RFE Wonderful to be an Empathy Lab judge alongside @jonnybid.bsky.social @rcharlesworth.bsky.social and many more!
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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
The next Open University/UKLA RfP conference takes place in Doncaster on Saturday 29th March. Fantastic keynotes from author Sufiya Ahmed and @teresacremin.bsky.social, plus some exciting workshops. I'm already looking forward to it! More info here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reading-fo...
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UKLA @uklitassociation.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
UKLA Literacy Special Issue: The Writing Realities Framework and New Directions In Writing Research, Instruction And Learning is guest edited by Ross Young, Felicity Ferguson, and Doug Kaufman and now available online: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/1741436…
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Roger McDonald @rogmcdonald.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
We currently have spaces for schools to take part in our 2025/26 professional development course 'Professionals: Implementing Change'. Our Professionals: Implementing Change programme is a bespoke, research based, CPD programme directed to professionals and delivered within your setting.
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Roger McDonald @rogmcdonald.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
Tom Doust is talking about the importance of imagination in the primary classroom. It is live now- if you would like to come along just pop me an e-mail r.d.mcdonald@gre.ac.uk
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Roger McDonald @rogmcdonald.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
Primary and secondary colleagues, we are holding a Reading for Pleasure CPD event which will include information about the National Reading for Pleasure Quality Mark from the Open University and UKLA. If you are interested, please do sign up.
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Teresa Cremin @teresacremin.bsky.social · 26/01/2025
Do join us in Doncaster in March! Practical, inspirational and evidence informed we’ll share ways to profile choice and voice www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reading-fo... Bookshops + Sufiya Ahmed too! @jonbiddle.bsky.social @imogenm16.bsky.social @kashleyenglish.bsky.social @schoolreadinglist.bsky.social
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UKLA @uklitassociation.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
Reminder! OU/UKLA Reading for Pleasure Quality Mark Introductory Session is happening on March 25th. Interested in taking part in the Quality Mark? Want to access research-informed CPD on Reading for Pleasure? Make sure to get your ticket. www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landin…
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The English Association @englishassociation.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
“Morag was a seminal figure in putting children’s literature on the map as a field of academic enquiry.She initiated an undergraduate programme in children’s literature.. became the thriving Centre for Research in Children’s Literature” Remarkable work & legacy. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...
theguardian.com
Morag Styles obituary
First professor of children’s poetry at Cambridge, who also worked to promote the teaching, dissemination and understanding of Caribbean poetry
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UKLA @uklitassociation.bsky.social · 17/01/2025
Have you got your tickets for the 2025 UKLA National Conference yet? Taking place over Zoom on Saturday 1st March, and with a brilliant line up of speakers and workshops, it certainly is not one to miss.
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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 12/01/2025
The @justimaginecentre.bsky.social team put on some amazing free events for pupils & school staff. On Thursday, they're running a poetry session with @jamescarterpoet.bsky.social, @bardymum.bsky.social, Simon Lamb & Stephen Lightbrown. One not to miss! Details here: justimagine.co.uk/evening-in/w...
justimagine.co.uk
We Love Poetry! - Just Imagine
We Love Poetry! Join Nikki Gamble as she discusses all things poetry with James Carter, Simon Lamb, Stephen Lightbown and Sarah Ziman
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Michael Rosen @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social · 12/01/2025
michaelrosenblog.blogspot.com/2025/01/poet...
michaelrosenblog.blogspot.com
Poetry teaching in primary schools. What's going on?
In a session with teacher trainee students on Friday, I asked them to talk about the poetry sessions they had observed in schools. Many of t...
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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
A year's worth of picturebook assembly suggestions that have a focus on diversity, equality, inclusion and empathy. Hopefully it's of use, even to just dip into occasionally. The link is here: padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r... #edusky
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The English Association @englishassociation.bsky.social · 03/01/2025
We're really looking forward to the @uklitassociation.bsky.social 60th Conference (27 - 29 June 2025), 'Beating the Odds, Changing Futures' - the call for papers is open until 5 Jan. A journey of empowerment, beating the odds, and collectively changing futures for the better! ukla.org/ic25/
ukla.org
International Conference Liverpool 2025 - UK Literacy Association
Beating the Odds, Changing Futures  UKLA 2025 – 60th Conference – Liverpool  – John Moore’s University – 27th to 29th June 2025  CALL FOR PAPERS IS NOW
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Dr Rebecca Simpson-Hargreaves @drrshargreaves.bsky.social · 30/12/2024
So sad to hear about Morag Styles. Her research into children's picturebooks have been pivotal to my research journey. I was star struck when I met her & she was so kind. I was lucky to sit on @uklitassociation.bsky.social's academic book panel she chaired, she was generous with her time & advice.
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Pam Jarvis @drpam.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
Many edu people have been pointing out for 10Y+ that England has this problem, &have taken a huge amount of abuse on ‘EduTwitter’ for it. Some of us were even surveilled by the Tory DFE for so doing- @ruthswailes.bsky.social. Time to lance this abscess. #EduSky www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
What kind of society would willingly traumatise its children in the name of education? | John Harris
As claims about practices in two flagship London academies are investigated, it’s time to stop and think about what schools are really for, says Guardian columnist John Harris
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Dr Rebecca Simpson-Hargreaves @drrshargreaves.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
If you weren't able to make the Newsletter Live event about #ReadingforPleasure and poetry, I'm pleased to say it's now up on YouTube! youtu.be/OOWaxSl2xOQ?... #EduSky #teachers
youtu.be
OU Newsletter Live! December 2024
YouTube video by OU Reading for Pleasure
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Peter Stefanovic @peterstefanovic.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
Superb article ftom @natashadevon.bsky.social. She’s also a must follow on @bsky.app substack.com/inbox/post/1...
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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
Have just made a couple of updates to my Reading for Pleasure Padlet. Ideas for staff meetings, teaching resources, links to a map of children's bookshops, suggested picturebooks to use in assemblies, templates for surveys, and lots more. I hope it's useful. padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r...
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CLPE @theclpe.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
🔊 Our 7th annual #ReflectingRealities report is out now! This year’s report shows a significant drop in the presence of racially minoritised characters in books published for children in 2023 in the UK.
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Jon Biddle @jonnybid.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
The latest #ReflectingRealities report from @theclpe.bsky.social is out today. It's a hugely important read. For the first time in the past seven years, the survey reveals an overall drop in the percentage of racially minoritised characters featured in children’s books. clpe.org.uk/research/clp...
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SF Said @whatsfsaid.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
If you have any interest in children's books, the #ReflectingRealities research done by @theclpe.bsky.social is absolutely essential reading. Look out for the new report tomorrow - and here's all their research so far: clpe.org.uk/research/ref...
Covers of CLPE's Reflecting Realities Research reports.
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Ross Young @writingrocks.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
When writing success criteria goes wrong writing4pleasure.com/2023/05/12/w...
writing4pleasure.com
When writing success criteria goes wrong
download this article Children read stories, poems and letters differently when they see these texts as things they themselves could produce – Frank Smith Establishing product goals (also kno…
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Kelly Ashley @kashleyenglish.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
My most recent contribution for Teach Secondary on how we can support and influence reading in adolescence. Nudge, don’t shove! (on pg 35) cdn.teachwire.net/e-mag/Teach-...
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Teresa Cremin @teresacremin.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
Terrific opportunity for a fully funded PhD in volitional reading/writing! wels.open.ac.uk/research/res... Do pls share widely - we’re open to personal passions+questions @kashleyenglish.bsky.social @jonnybid.bsky.social @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social @whatsfsaid.bsky.social
wels.open.ac.uk
The Open University
We currently offer the following PhD studentships: Faculty funded studentships Please note that applications for October 2024 are now closed. Applications for October 2025 will open in November 2024 B...
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Roger McDonald @rogmcdonald.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
Looking forward to Bismha Afzal talking as part of Islamophobia awareness month. Message me for joining link if interested.
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Rooted in Reading @rootedinreading.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
@teresacremin.bsky.social and Scholes' concise articulation of the benefits of #ReadingforPleasure is brilliant: increased vocabulary; improved narrative and descriptive writing; better text organisation; increased grammatical accuracy and textual cohesion. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
tandfonline.com
Reading for pleasure: scrutinising the evidence base – benefits, tensions and recommendations
Compelling international evidence illustrates the potential of reading for pleasure for enhancing student reading achievement along with other learning and wellbeing outcomes. Yet profound challeng...
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LBC @lbc.co.uk · 22/11/2024
"It's done more bad than good." Fuse ODG tells @nickferrarilbc.bsky.social that he believes Band Aid is responsible for Africa losing 'trillions of pounds in revenue.'
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Josie Mingay @josiemingay.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
Very much worth 10 minutes of your time to listen to the ever sound musings of @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social, with a run down of 10 things the Oracy Education Commission have learnt since their launch. The jingles too - chef’s kiss. Complex issues but not impossible. open.spotify.com/episode/3ZDd...
open.spotify.com
The Commission Conversations - 10 Things We've Learnt in 10 Weeks
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Geoff Barton @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
Hello, new BlueSky followers. In April, I was proud to be asked to chair the Oracy Education Commission. You can read our final report ('We Need to Talk') here: tinyurl.com/yr9pp9af And there are dozens of podcast conversations exploring #oracy in its many forms: open.spotify.com/show/5UwEJKk...
open.spotify.com
The Commission Conversations
Podcast · The Oracy Education Commission · Commission Conversations are short dialogues, discussions, and debates compiled by the Commission on the Future of Oracy Education in England. They are desig...
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CLPE @theclpe.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
Looking for some non-fiction books for your classroom? Our brilliant Librarian Phoebe, has chosen her favourite non-fiction texts from our Power of Reading collection, to celebrate #NonFictionNovember! Watch this video to find out more...
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Charlotte Hacking @charliehacking.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
This was such a wonderful session. @rogmcdonald.bsky.social’s students are always so enthusiastic, reflective and engaged as we talk about the importance of poetry and walk through a range of poetry activities. Sessions that live in my memory and bring a smile as I think of these students in schools
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Roger McDonald @rogmcdonald.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
The School of Education is proud to present an exciting and inspirational line-up for the annual Primary Partnership Lecture Series – continuing with Bismha Afzal who is the Schools Coordinator for Educate Against Islamophobia.
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Roger McDonald @rogmcdonald.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
University of Greenwich students developing their knowledge of children's literature - brilliant conversations focused around powerful literature.
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Roger McDonald @rogmcdonald.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
Fantastic day for the University of Greenwich BA QTS students at the amazing CLPE with a session on poetry with the brilliant @charliehacking.bsky.social
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Richard Ruddick @richardruddick.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
Got a lot on this padlet: padlet.com/rruddick9zra... and a few different ones on this list: uk.bookshop.org/lists/great-... Big hits are usually the investigators, Pablo and splash, bunny vs monkey, peng and spanners, bumble and snug, Hilda, happy hills and mighty jack.
padlet.com
Graphic Novels
All of these books are suitable and popular for Key Stage 2 classes and above. Find some of the most recent or popular ones here: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/great-graphic-novels-for-kids
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Roger McDonald @rogmcdonald.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
Are you interested in bespoke CPD for your school where sustainable change is made? We come to you and work with staff on identifying research areas which make a difference. Contact me for more information youtu.be/D8RoCgQaRec
youtu.be
Greenwich University
YouTube video by Roger McDonald
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