iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 18h

Another excellent post by @ensermark.bsky.social on the also excellent Curriculum Reform Handbook from Learning First’s Ben Jensen and @heatherbellaf.bsky.social. Good advice for curriculum-makers at all levels from classrooms to government agencies.

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Drew Burrett @drewburrett.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

I haven't blogged in years, but prompted by an email @qualifications.gov.scot I've dusted off some old ideas... drewburrett.substack.com/p/revisiting... Please feel free to comment and share.

drewburrett.substack.com

Revisiting Assessment & Certification

(and tentatively returning to sharing my thoughts)

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

It was great to welcome 100 science educators to @enuteachered.bsky.social yesterday for a great day of high quality subject-specific professional learning. Thanks to all the speakers, exhibitors, IOPS Coaches, ASE Scotland committee members and the Education Academy Scotland who made it possible.

Stuart Farmer of the Institute of Physics Scotland welcomes delegates to the BGE Sciences Conference at Edinburgh Napier University.

Heather Earnshaw gives the keynote talk at the BGE Sciences Conference at Edinburgh Napier University.

IOP stand in the exhibition area at the BGE Sciences Conference at Edinburgh Napier University.

IOP Scotland Physics Coach presents a session on teaching space science at the BGE Sciences Conference at Edinburgh Napier University.

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Bruce Robertson @brucenextlevel.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Power Up Your Curriculum is published this week! Here’s what @daisychristo.bsky.social has to say about it👇 Pre-order here: amzn.eu/d/0gLrLxqv

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Really pleased to see this report published. Without sufficient physics teachers to teach physics knowledge and skills to young people we will find it difficult in the future to thrive as a nation and society or to have well rounded, educated citizens.

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The Stirling Curriculum Centre (SCC) @curric-stir.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Join us on Thursday 17 Sept (4-6pm) for our first SCC webinar of the new academic year. David Gregory and Stuart Farmer will present 'Curriculum-making in the meso-level: lessons from a local authority'. Sign up at www.tickettailor.com/events/facul...

tickettailor.com

Select tickets – Curriculum-making in the meso-level: lessons from a local authority – MS Teams

Curriculum-making in the meso-level: lessons from a local authority – MS Teams, Thu 17 Sep 2026 - This webinar examines how two Associate Fellows of the Stirling Centre for Research into Curriculum Ma...

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

A significant issue in curriculum making identified by @ensermark.bsky.social “A curriculum can print “key concepts” at the top of every unit and still not have settled what one is, let alone what to do with it.” enserm.substack.com/p/concepts-i...

enserm.substack.com

Concepts in the Geography Curriculum

Part 1: What Do We Mean by a Geographical Concept?

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Dr Barry Black @barryblackne.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

One issue that must be considered in amongst Scotland’s PISA results today is that it is one of very few objective measures of our system. Objective measures have been systematically dismantled over the years, leaving us reliant on these studies that come every few years

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

The 6th and final blog in my recent series on curriculum development and instructional design is at stuartphysics.co.uk The series ended up being a bit longer than I envisaged when I started but I hope the background and more practical examples are of interest and use to some. #TheoryIntoPractice

stuartphysics.co.uk

Stuart Physics

Education and Physics Stuff

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

"We meet the child where they are, but we refuse to leave them there." "Attainment describes a present state; it does not reveal a future limit. Confusing the two is one of the most damaging mistakes an education system can make." Another thoughtful blog from @markmccourt.bsky.social

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I would swap the fountain pen for a good quality propelling pencil, but visualiser and good paper a clear winner.

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

As expected, the latest report from @profcoe.bsky.social and @profkime.bsky.social at @evidencebased.education is a good read. See evidencebased.education/professional.... Improvement in student learning needs improvement in classroom interactions which needs us to build teacher expertise.

evidencebased.education

Professional Learning Revolution

Support the Professional Learning Revolution. Help make professional learning protected, evidence-informed and taken seriously.

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Yes, it might still be the Australian GP, but to all intents and purposes it is pretty much like two different countries bidding for a GP.

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

No argument or bridge being sought here. In simple terms, concepts are knowledge and anyone who argues for concepts without rich knowledge - substantive, disciplinary, procedural or any of the other ways knowledge is defined will not find success.

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Having solid assessment evidence is must for effective teaching, see my bit about diagnostic questions for a start. A good curriculum in the BGE, with appropriate intervention when needed, should aim to keep kids close together and minimise need for differentiation. Later on always different paths.

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Another excellent blog from @ensermark.bsky.social. In the last few days he has considered curriculum making and curriculum reform in England which overlaps with many issues I have written about with regard to reforms in Scotland at stuartphysics.co.uk. Different starting points, same destination?

stuartphysics.co.uk

Stuart Physics

Education and Physics Stuff

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

stuartphysics.co.uk

Stuart Physics

Education and Physics Stuff

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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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Bryn @brynspiration.com · 27/08/2026

Number crunching 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 ITE Maths teachers target: 250 Actual number recruited: 73, the worst in years Maths vacancies right now, weeks into the school year: 16 What’s the plan?

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Riding With Robots @ridingrobots.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

From NASA: It happened again! Here's Phobos passing in front of the Sun as seen by the Perseverance rover from the surface of Mars on Aug. 12. science.nasa.gov/photojournal...

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Very much looking forward to reading @profkime.bsky.social and @profcoe.bsky.social have to say in this new paper. I definitely agree that many teachers have never experienced good professional learning.

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Evidence Based Education @evidencebased.education · 24/08/2026

We Need a Revolution in Professional Learning. In this short preview, @profcoe.bsky.social and @profkime.bsky.social explore why that matters, what the revolution could look like, and how schools, colleges and educators can get involved. The paper will be published on 5 September 2026. Stay tuned

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Paul Cochrane @mrdissent.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Why? To avoid the shambolic "one night ahead" CFE approach. Gives time to assess, hone and plan. BTW... We haven't even looked at assessment and homework.

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

NZ is fairly top down too. It is one of the countries, like Ireland as well, where there is very little meso-level. Basically, there is the Ministry and then there are schools. It is interesting that the two countries most like Scotland in many, many respects have that sort of educational structure.

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

... The Lucy Crehan et al. report I reference highlights that vague curriculum statements leads to spiraling teacher workload. Every teacher does need to think and plan their local curriculum, but from a sensible starting point. www.ces.partners/curriculum-f...

ces.partners

International Comparative Education Reviews & Resources | CES Centre for Education Systems

Comparative education review examples. CES systematically compares educatiom systems across 14 jurisdictions including approaches, policy instruments and outputs.

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

... support then national teacher workload spirals as every teacher in every school spends time 'unpacking' the broader high level statements. This is a task that not all teachers have had the time or training to do well which inevitably leads to poorer outcomes overall. ...

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

I am sure many will think the level of detail I have included in the examples in blog part 4 is too much, and this may well be the case for the top level curriculum document. However, if that level of detail, and the rationale for the thinking is not available in at least the next level of ...

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Agreed. In my 42 years in Scottish education not a single curriculum change has proceeded on the timescale proposed initially. Too much rush without adequate support for teachers will not result in improved outcomes for pupils.

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Has ever not been thus? Part of the reason for the blogs is to help those way above target access some thinking about curriculum making etc in a way not readily available elsewhere. I am not claiming it is perfect in any shape of form, but at least it is something I have had time to think about.

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

For various reasons @mrdissent.bsky.social, I thought I would use some of my time over the last few weeks to put some of my experience and thinking on curriculum making in the sciences down in writing. I hope that some in Scotland might find it interesting and useful in the coming months and years.

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Paul Cochrane @mrdissent.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Outstanding Stuart. Especially the comment that teachers should not be left to develop courses alone. (Did you mean unsupported)

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Glad you appreciate the blog and that this 'quiet work' has impact. I am taking a long weekend, so there will be a gap before I post subsequent blogs as I have not got things finalised yet, but I thought it worth posting the first four as I hoped they would give a good narrative in their own right.

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

The process is indeed slow, something I highlighted in the third blog in the series stuartphysics.co.uk/2026/08/19/s.... Measures such as PISA and national qualifications towards the end of schooling are a measure of policy and practice changes perhaps a decade or more previously.

stuartphysics.co.uk

Some thoughts on curriculum development and instructional design: Part 3 – Learning from elsewhere

In the first two blogs in this series, I have discussed some of the theoretical frameworks that can be used in curriculum and instructional design and then a case study describing the development o…

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Yes, I meant unsupported, but also not alone. The process should be collaborative and if a curriculum is to allow good continuity and progression for the pupils its is important teachers work together to help ensure this is the case.

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Glad you are enjoying them. Hopefully, they might stimulate some discussion about some of the issues.

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

When can we move beyond correlation to causation? Curriculum-making analysis and observation using curricula and PISA scores from several countries. I wonder if the trends will continue when the 2025 PISA results are published next month? Third blog in a series. stuartphysics.co.uk/2026/08/19/s...

stuartphysics.co.uk

Some thoughts on curriculum development and instructional design: Part 3 – Learning from elsewhere

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

The second instalment is now posted. It looks back on a research-informed bit of classroom curriculum-making that I conducted over 30 years ago, and some lessons I learned then and observations I have made since. More to follow. stuartphysics.co.uk @dnleslie.bsky.social @brucenextlevel.bsky.social

stuartphysics.co.uk

Stuart Physics

Education and Physics Stuff

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

I have posted the first in a series of blogs where I discuss curriculum making and instructional design in the context of Properties of Matter, see stuartphysics.co.uk. More to follow in the next few days. @colinmcgill.bsky.social @drewburrett.bsky.social @andrewkbailey13.bsky.social

stuartphysics.co.uk

Stuart Physics

Education and Physics Stuff

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

If you need a metaphor for the fact that billionaires and supposed trickle down economics don’t care or work for the rest of us then this sums it up. Responding to a distress call is a longstanding duty following the sinking of the Titanic and is just human decency. www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...

nbcnews.com

Mark Zuckerberg’s mega-yacht didn’t respond to call for help from small boat in Alaska

When the captain of the boat that did respond announced Zuckerberg’s cruiser was closer and hadn’t answered the call, “there was near unanimous booing,” a passenger said.

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Bruce Robertson @brucenextlevel.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Next Level Educational is looking to recruit a new Professional Development Lead. 🚀 Lead professional development for schools  🚀 Expand membership of the Teaching PowerUps platform  🚀 Contribute to the strategic development of Next Level Educational nextleveleducational.com/recruitment

nextleveleducational.com

Recruitment — Next Level Educational | Professional Development for Teachers & Leaders | Bruce Robertson - The Teaching Delusion - Power Up | UK

Discover books by Bruce Robertson - including "The Teaching Delusion 3: Power Up Your Pedagogy"

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Carl Hendrick @carlhendrick.substack.com · 09/08/2026

NEW POST: You can't apply the science of learning to materials that weren't designed for it. Retrieval practice is a curriculum property, not a teaching technique. carlhendrick.substack.com/p/retconning...

carlhendrick.substack.com

Retconning the Curriculum: Why The Science of Learning Has a Serious Design Problem

Retrieval practice is a continuity feature not a classroom activity

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Stuart Farmer @stuartphysics.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Could be an interesting garage next year in WSBK.

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Greg Ashman @gregashman.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

NEW FREE POST Education’s dark matter There is no evidence to inform most of what we do fillingthepail.substack.com/p/educations...

fillingthepail.substack.com

Education’s dark matter

There is no evidence to inform most of what we do

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Institute of Physics @iop.org · 31/07/2026

Families in Dublin, are you looking for something free, fun and educational to do with the kids this summer holidays? Join Mimi & her friends on her latest adventure through at our summer exhibition Mimi and Friends’ Big Earth Adventure. 🔗 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mimi-and-f... @iopireland.bsky.social

eventbrite.co.uk

Mimi and Friends' Big Earth Adventure - Dublin Exhibition

Visit our hands-on exhibition and fuel your imagination with experiments, demonstrations and puzzles.

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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

This w/end's little snippet from my new book is from Chpt1 where we're asking "What is light?" Dear 🇺🇸US friends hoping you have a good chuckle at me attempting an American accent, rather than being affronted! #BookSky 🔭 📖: www.bloomsbury.com/uk/how-to-de... 📽️: www.youtube.com/shorts/-RIPE...

youtube.com

Chapter 1: Light Available to Preorder now!

YouTube video by Astronomer Royal Scotland Prof Catherine Heymans

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Institute of Physics @iop.org · 24/07/2026

Got a great idea to make physics fun for families? Get up to £4,000 to bring it to life with the IOP Public Engagement Grant Scheme. Workshops, festivals, new initiatives - all welcome. Applications open until 7 September: www.iop.org/about/suppor...

Image of a family at an IOP Family event working on an experiment with an IOP volunteer guiding them.

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Association for Science Education @associationscied.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Kick-start your career with this one-day online course, designed specifically for new secondary school science technicians. 💻 Delivered live on Zoom with expert guidance, demonstrations, and opportunities to ask questions. 👉 Find out more and book your place today! ow.ly/ETO450ZltLV

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Dr Dan Jones @hookean.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Thankful to the ASE editorial team and pleased to see my vibe coding article published in the latest edition of the School Science Review journal🙂 #iTeachPhysics #Science 🧪 www.ase.org.uk/resources/sc...

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