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Simone Beach

@simonebeach.bsky.social
669 followers 1.4K following 997 posts

Headteacher of the primary school I went to when I was little. Worked here for over 20 years and still love it. We were evacuated 16/01/23. Can’t wait to be back together as one school. Also love books.

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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 22h
Can’t sleep. My confidence has strict geographical boundaries. After school tomorrow I’m heading to Birmingham for training on Thursday. Confident and secure at home but the second I leave my town absolute fish out of water.
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Adam Boxer @adamboxereducation.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
There are lots of views about how to improve our education system. Not enough of them focus on the classroom. We pursue big structural solutions, when we should be looking at how to create calm, quiet, peaceful classrooms. New post, please share! carouselteachlearnlead.substack.com/p/calm-quiet...
carouselteachlearnlead.substack.com
Calm, quiet, peaceful lessons
In the pursuit of a better education system, rather than large-scale reform, we should start by improving teaching in every classroom.
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
We are really enjoying Operation Education at our school. Thank you @priteshraichura.bsky.social
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Alex Quigley @alexjquigley.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The Education Endowment Foundation (@theeef.bsky.social) is asking for your input on their research agenda. It is a great opportunity to help shape and inform national priorities. Find out more here: eefoundation.tfaforms.net/5044606
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Today’s view from the staffroom window. Sunshine and progress for our new school build.
View from a window of an active building site on a sunny day
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
A huge thank you for our wonderful inclusive book boxes from @ibc-reads.bsky.social Every child deserves to see themselves in a book and these are such beautiful additions to our EYFS and KS1 library. The children are so excited to explore these stories 🩷📚
Three children sitting side by side eagerly exploring the pages of a donation of inclusive children’s books.
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Women's Community Matters, Barrow in Furness @wcmbarrow.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
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hookland.bsky.social @hookland.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
A constant recommendation.
J is for …
Jansson
One of my favourite imagined places to inhabit as unhappy 
child was Moominvalley. I am still an unofficial ambassador 
for it, telling young writers I mentor that they will struggle 
to find a better constructed fictional world. I push those 
writers into reading Tove Jansson because she makes 
words dance, because she makes locations shimmer with 
a sense of nature holding within it the not-quite-real that 
may manifest at any moment. I push because she is one 
of the finest storytellers, because her imagination still 
pushes me. I hope that is all in Hookland, as no book ever 
taught me more about the power of dark absence in a text 
than Moominvalley In November. While the Moomins may 
sometimes overshadow Jansson’s stunning lines as illus
trator, the sheer fairytale menace of her early paintings, 
they cannot obscure her power to create spaces where the 
mind may walk in hope of wonder
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Part 2 does not disappoint 📚🩷 And Ivy’s back 🎉
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Willerby @welcometowillerby.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
A Year in Willerby. 12 Stories from a Haunted Village. Down to the last thirty or so copies. Discounted to £15. Sending out a few tomorrow. Last chance to own the first ever Willerby book. www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4...
Photo of our book under a carved sheep head with a handwritten letter and vintage postcards.
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Ben Newmark @bennewmark.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Five songs you were obsessed with from five different stages of your life. 1. Live Forever. Oasis. 2. Spinning Away. Sugar Ray. 3. The Boy with the Arab Strap. Belle and Sebastian. 4. Boys Boys Boys. Lady Gaga. 5. Under the Pressure. War on Drugs.. #FridayFive
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
A late one tonight but I love open evening at the high school. So proud of our past pupils helping out. Excited that our Year 6 are moving on to a school that will care about them as deeply as we have.
Top photo is of the night sky and the moon shining brightly. Bottom photo is a screen that says Welcome to St Bernard’s Catholic High School.
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Ed Finch @edfinch.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
More than half our tickets have gone for this ace day out in Birningham. If you are thinking of coming, do book up or you may find they've all gone. I'd love to see you there.
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Visiting Stanley Road helped to transform practice in our school. If you get the chance to visit grab it with both hands.
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Tomorrow will be 1345 days since we have all been together on one site as one school.
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
So I guess that means tomorrow is day 699 of a short school day for our children. Just me or is that absolutely wild? Letting that number sink in.
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Salt air and Sunday peace at Canal Foot
View from Canal Foot over the tidal sands to distant hills and fells
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Love me a lantern festival.
Dozens of glowing lanterns in the crowded streets of Ulverston
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Adam Boxer @adamboxereducation.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
We all know that social media is bad for young people, and has been catastrophic for their mental health... ...or has it? In this episode, Professor Candice Odgers provides an alternative narrative that is fascinating and challenging. Tune in + share 🙏 open.spotify.com/episode/25NS...
open.spotify.com
Is social media causing the youth mental health crisis? With Professor Candice Odgers
They Behave For Me · Episode
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Evacuated on the 16th January 2023 so I think that’s 1342 days ago. For the children that’s meant varying degrees of a short school day for around 698 school days. A full and uninterrupted education can’t come soon enough.
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Ben Newmark @bennewmark.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
#FridayFive new starts. 1. Start Me Up. The Rollings Stones. 2. Don't Stop Me Now. Queen 3. Something Changed. Pulp. 4. Yes. McCalmont and Butler. 5. Back to Livin' Again. Curtis Mayfield.
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Driving on fumes until sunrise rather than filling up at night ever again. Read with the lights on.
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Just contemplating my school day thinking what in the actual Alice in Wonderland was that?
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
We continue to face unusual challenges as an evacuated school. Schools are full of educators going above and beyond in tough times.Teachers as anchors in situations that can feel chaotic. We can’t take it for granted. Are we advocating for them the way they advocate for the children?
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
When random objects turn up in school. I’m stuck between nothing surprises me anymore and so many questions.
Unexplained bottles of Babycham and a first aid kit
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Self medicating for the full on week ahead by binge watching Adults season 2. Officially ignoring my responsibilities for a few more hours. Not sorry.
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Sunday reset walk. My new school year non negotiable.
Beach view on Walney Island with a blue sky
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Great blog. Part of it made me reflect on how our school teaches explicit vocab instruction (thank you CUSP). It is definitely closing the language gap for our children and key in allowing them to engage with more challenging books.
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
First full week in school done and we are feeling positive about the strong start. All good apart from a few missing jumpers. Number one on my to do list is a Monday morning lap of the classes with my sharpie.
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
So much for “she is definitely not sleeping on the bed” Rules are made to be broken
Small, fluffy dog looking a little guilty in the middle of a comfy, human bed.
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Thomas S Brown @tomsbrown.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
We have this. All of the really interesting people have this.
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Claire Harley @claireharley.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
New post! First one and probably last one for a while as this term is crazy! Where will teachers disagree? The rise and fall of the classroom edublog
open.substack.com
Where will teachers go to disagree?
The rise and fall of the classroom edublog
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Ben Newmark @bennewmark.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
New blog post. Stop Making Them Copy. bennewmark.wordpress.com/2026/09/09/s...
Text from linked blog post.
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Great Steplab webinar today on reading instruction. Inspiring to listen to Christopher Such and Doug Lemov break down practical steps for the classroom. @steplab.bsky.social
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Dog in the playground is one thing but huge dog in the children’s bus line / church really is something else. Thank goodness for Mrs Hammond the dog whisper.
WhatsApp message about dog on the loose
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James Handscombe @jameshandscombe.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Those of us in authority need to be better at making sure there’s no truth in this (otherwise what’s the point?)
Authority was someone telling you there was nothing they could do to help but they were sorry.
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Today’s staffroom view. Coffee and a front row seat for our new build school construction.
Coffee cup, in front of a window, with a view of the building site that is 1.3 metres from our temporary school.
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
“Prioritise the human” Looking forward to this podcast 🎧❤️
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Brian Groom @groomb.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Abbey Road, Barrow-in-Furness, 1930s, painting by Graham Twyford, Lake District artist.
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Is it even the start of term if there isn’t a drama? This time last year we opened up needing a plumber. First day back tomorrow and the kitchen that supplies our lunches is out of action. Plan B good to go but wondering if I’m jinxed.
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
It is far from ideal to be missing the first couple of days back but my youngest is having another operation tomorrow. Not worried about school though as it is in great hands. The team are bringing their A game ⭐️
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Mark Enser @ensermark.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
People are starting to write the obituary for England's "knowledge-rich" era. Before we bury it, I wanted to check something - was it ever really alive? enserm.substack.com/p/the-knowle...
enserm.substack.com
The knowledge-rich revolution that never was
Part 1: Before we write the obituary, it’s worth checking the patient was ever alive.
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Ben Newmark @bennewmark.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
As well as my old job, I have a new job - Director of the Knowledge Hub. We run a course called The Exemplary Teaching Programme. It's for good teachers who want to be great. I think of it as a sort of Top Gun for Teachers. I blogged about it here. theknowledgehubuk.substack.com/p/introducin...
The banner text for our Exemplary Teaching Programme. Our logo is a green lightbulb.
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Back to school tomorrow for me but not for my own kids. It is very weird and I’m feeling more than a little nostalgic for the days of frantically sharpie-ing names in uniform the night before.
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Cumbria CVS (Council for Voluntary Service) @cumbriacvs.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
The Furness For You website is dedicated to helping community members stay engaged & connected with everything available in Furness neighbourhoods. #Barrow & the #Furness area have a wealth of resilient & pro-active communities which can help us thrive. furnessforyou.org.uk
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Susie Dent @susiedentwords.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
In case anyone needs it, to have the ‘mubble-fubbles’ (16th century) means to have a fit of despondency or low spirits, such as the end-of-summer blues.
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
www.facebook.com/share/1UUK6K...
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Wrapping up the summer with live music and muddy trainers. Nearly time to swap this festival wristband for my teacher lanyard.
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Alex Quigley @alexjquigley.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
💡 NEW POST 💡 'The End of the Knowledge-rich Era' alexquigley.co.uk/the-end-of-t...
alexquigley.co.uk
The end of the knowledge-rich era
"Each Culture has its own new possibilities of self-expression which arise, ripen, decay and never return… each limited in duration and self-contained, just as each species of plant has its peculiar b...
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Simone Beach @simonebeach.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Professional life giving omnishambles. Thank you local bakery for holding me together with sugar. Focus on what you can control, right?
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