iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

#FridayFive Friday on my Mind - Easybeats Torn - Natalie Imbruglia Fall at your Feet - Boy and Bear Don’t Dream it’s Over - Crowed House Nick Cave - Red Right Hand

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NAHT @naht.org.uk · 05/11/2025

NAHT past president, Simon Kidwell, spoke to BBC Breakfast this morning about the strengths and weaknesses of the recommendations in the new curriculum and assessment review 👇

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

I spoke on BBC Breakfast about school readiness and the importance of education settings and parents working in partnership to access key services and support.

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

I spoke on BBC Breakfast about school readiness and the importance of education settings and parents working in partnership to access key services and support.

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NAHT @naht.org.uk · 16/07/2025

Former NAHT president, Simon Kidwell, spoke to ITV News about the impact testing can have on children's well-being. Other assessment methods can sometimes be more appropriate and the government's curriculum & assessment review should look carefully at this.

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Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

Great from Simon Not only is it wrong that schools have to subsidise catering from teaching budgets But the quality of food being offered is unquestionably getting worse No one can justifiably claim school food is nutritious Which undermines any notion it brings health or attainment benefits

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

This week I spoke to BBC Breakfast about the important of providing schools with adequate funding for school meals.

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

NAHT Ballot After three brilliant years serving as part of the NAHT Presidential Team, my Executive term of office comes to an end this August. If you’re a member in the North West, please consider voting for me in the latest round of postal elections for our National Executive.

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

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NAHT @naht.org.uk · 09/07/2025

NAHT past president Simon Kidwell appeared on BBC Breakfast this morning to talk about the challenges faced by schools in deficit over school meal funding and the risk that nutritional standards could fall as a result.

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

We’ve hit 66 miles on our #Hartford100mile ride with 16 amazing Hartford Manor parents! 🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️ We’re at 95% of our fundraising goal — help us reach 100%! 🙌 using the link below:

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Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

Fantastic news on Labour extending FSM eligibility to everyone claiming Universal Credit @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social making a bold and positive move that will unquestionably help address child poverty This is long overdue and credit must go to DfE But… there are still some details that need work

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Three years ago today… the country was celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 🇬🇧 I celebrated with a wild camping trip to the Lake District. Just me, this view, and total silence.

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

The calibre of those chosen to advise the Government speaks volumes about its values and ambition for children and school communities — and in appointing Andrew, it has made an outstanding choice.

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

Great news! Andrew is an innovative thinker and an authentic leader. His deep experience working directly with his school community will make him a powerful voice at the heart of education policy. schoolsweek.co.uk/headteacher-...

schoolsweek.co.uk

Maintained school head lands new DfE adviser role

Andrew O'Neill will deliver 'frontline expertise directly into the heart of policy-making', government says

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

It’s a fabulous event that I attended for the first time last year.

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

The RNLI 100 km route with the Three Bromptoneers.

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

Thanks for the inspiration Andy.

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

It’s the #ThreeShires RNLI Sportive today. I’m hoping to finish the 100km route on my @bromptonbicycle.bsky.social

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Andrew O’Neill @andrewoneill.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

This a fantastic piece from @samgibbs.bsky.social. It’s so important to look at the brilliant expertise from within rather than assuming that paying someone on the outside to deliver an off-the-shelf approach is going to be your silver-bullet. It isn’t.

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NAHT @naht.org.uk · 27/05/2025

Talk of a reshuffle may have the education secretary’s detractors excited, but it would be bad news for a sector in desperate need of stable leadership. bit.ly/4mya5Tn

bit.ly

Talk of a reshuffle should have the sector worried

Even the education secretary's detractors wouldn't benefit from another change at the top

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 25/05/2025

In my @schoolsweek.bsky.social OpEd piece, I argue why Labour must back Bridget Phillipson — and why stable leadership is key to real change in schools. schoolsweek.co.uk/continuity-a...

schoolsweek.co.uk

Talk of a reshuffle should have the sector worried

Even the education secretary's detractors wouldn't benefit from another change at the top

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Yorkshire Bylines @yorkshirebylines.co.uk · 25/05/2025

As the calls to reinstate Sure Start grow louder, @ruthswailes.bsky.social outlines the lasting effects it had for those who used its services in the 2000s; 'reducing services means reducing friendships.'

yorkshirebylines.co.uk

A very personal blog: getting by with a little help from our friends

When Ruth’s husband was diagnosed with cancer, friends she’d made via Sure Start rallied round. But what about today’s young families?

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Sam Gibbs @samgibbs.bsky.social · 25/05/2025

Agree entirely with this piece- we need stability, not a conveyor belt of ministers. ‘More than ever, what education needs is long-term strategy shaped by those on the front line. Only through sustained, stable leadership can we secure meaningful and lasting improvement in our education system.’

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 25/05/2025

In my @schoolsweek.bsky.social OpEd piece, I argue why Labour must back Bridget Phillipson — and why stable leadership is key to real change in schools. schoolsweek.co.uk/continuity-a...

schoolsweek.co.uk

Talk of a reshuffle should have the sector worried

Even the education secretary's detractors wouldn't benefit from another change at the top

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

I was interested in two Cycling UK routes - The Rebellion Way and Wolf Way. GPX files available on their website. I searched Ride With GPS and someone had uploaded the route. @cyclinguk.bsky.social

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

I used Ride with GPS for this route.

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

Just about and I’m slightly broken!

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

What’s weekend! The Traws Eryri is one the toughest physical challenges I’ve experienced. 128miles, 14000ft of climbing and some of the most testing gravel trails in the UK.

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

Heading over to Snowdonia for my next cycling adventure tonight. The Traws Eryri - 2 days, 200km and over 4000m of climbing. youtu.be/OayV3zZZiwI?...

youtu.be

Can Si Survive A 200km Mountain Adventure? | Gravel Bike VS Traws Eryri Route

YouTube video by Global Cycling Network

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

Back from a fantastic @naht.org.uk National Conference where I met so many inspiring School Leaders doing amazing work in our schools. A personal highlight was introducing one of my cycling heroes, and National Active Travel Commissioner, @chrisboardman.bsky.social

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

Multiple, simultaneous challenges are testing the government’s ability to lead & improve lives. Ultimately, the success of any gov. should be judged by how it improves the lives of young people. This week, I spoke to @johnharris1969.bsky.social about child poverty & its impact on schools.

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

Sandbach’s #THREESHIRES cycle sportive is back raising valuable funds for the RNLI. I’ll be riding the 100km route on my @bromptonbicycle.bsky.social Come and join us. rnli.org/find-my-near...

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Andy Jolley @andyjolley.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

Well worth a listen @johnharris1969.bsky.social talking breakfast clubs with @simonkidwell.bsky.social & @pippacrerar.bsky.social I fear Ministers (& pippa) who think breakfast clubs will address child poverty in any meaningful way, are going to be massively disappointed It's wishful thinking

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

My first live gig of 2025. John Bramwell and Turin Brakes with @dwearing1972.bsky.social

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

It’s the last day of a fabulous Easter holiday. I’m catching the early train to Hereford and will be cycling the 100 miles back to Sandbach.

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 21/04/2025

One of the great things about being part of a school community for so long is bumping into ex-pupils. Today, I met a former Hartford Manor student who’s just become a teacher—fresh out of Newcastle University, where I studied back in the early 90s. #ProudtoTeach

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

It’s the final day of my bike packing tour of East Anglia. Yesterday’s highlights included Southwold, Sutton Hoo and a welcome return of the spring sun.

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

Bike packing tour of East Anglia Day 4. Lowestoft to Felixstowe.

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Day 2 90 miles of Norfolk gravel—Kings Lynn to Sheringham via Sandringham, Holkham Hall & Walsingham. Off shore winds made it a tough day, but another incredible day in the saddle.

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Day 2 90 miles of Norfolk gravel—Kings Lynn to Sheringham via Sandringham, Holkham Hall & Walsingham. Off shore winds made it a tough day, but another incredible day in the saddle.

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Simon Kidwell @simonkidwell.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Some days on the bike, everything clicks. 85 miles of gravel from Bury St Edmunds to King’s Lynn—flinty trails, bridleways, forgotten lanes.

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