iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Adam Steedman Thake @thakeman.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

At AoC’sParliamentary reception by @aoc-info.bsky.social Great to hear from @helenhayes.bsky.social about ‘Recognising the work of students and colleges in transforming lives up and down the country’ and ‘supporting excellence wherever it is.’ Couldn’t agree more!

011

Reposted by Adam Steedman Thake

AQA @aqaeducation.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

📢 Digital exams are more secure, better for the environment and good for students with special needs - but we need to go bigger to build evidence about what works. Read our response to the Ofqual consultation. www.aqa.org.uk/news/safer-g...

An invigilator and three students sitting digital exams in an exam hall.

022

Reposted by Adam Steedman Thake

AQA @aqaeducation.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

It was our first Student Advisory Group meeting of 2026 yesterday, and we welcomed new members, a new Student Chair, a new Trustee Chair, and a new Executive Sponsor. On the agenda were digital exams, Citizenship, and the new National Youth Strategy with special guests UK Youth and Girlguiding.

012

Reposted by Adam Steedman Thake

Sam Sims @drsamsims.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

New research from Michigan State shows a) school climate has a pretty strong relationship with pupil absenteeism b) this seems to have got stronger since pandemic c) student sense of 'connectedness' may be particularly important aspect of school climate journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10....

041

Adam Steedman Thake @thakeman.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Coverage in @theobserveruk.bsky.social of @aqaeducation.bsky.social's plans to move to digital exams for GCSEs and A-level. They have the potential to be fairer to students, assess a wider range of skills and knowledge, and are greener for the environment. #education #digital #exams

000

Adam Steedman Thake @thakeman.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Super event at the SMF, exploring the huge topic of ‘fixing SEND’ Thought provoking discussion and strong focus on realistic possibilities. @smfthinktank.bsky.social @beckymontacute.bsky.social @danfrancis02.bsky.social @charleyo.bsky.social @anyasizer.bsky.social @danihpayne.bsky.social

Panel discussion at the Social Market foundation event titled “Fixing SEND:What is possible?”
Chair Rebecca Montacute, SMF
Panel: Dani Payne SMF, Charlotte O’Reagan Sutton Trust, Cllr Anya Sizer Hackney Council, and Daniel Francis MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford.

144

Adam Steedman Thake @thakeman.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

As an ex-civil servant, I like to keep an eye on what's happening around 'civil service reform'. @darrenpjones.bsky.social's speech ‘Move Fast Fix Things’ @instituteforgovernment.org.uk piqued my interest. I agree with the diagnosis but worry about the cure. Thread 1/10 www.gov.uk/government/s...

gov.uk

Move fast. Fix things.

Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones' speech on rewiring Whitehall and building the new digital state.

110

Adam Steedman Thake @thakeman.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

Today is #LiteracyDay and it got me thinking. We can often assume that young people today are naturally digitally literate, born into a naturally digital world. But how true is that? Read my thoughts in my latest AQi blog, link in below. What do you think? Are young people digital natives?

010

Adam Steedman Thake @thakeman.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

New book day! Excited to dig into these important and influential books. Started with Education, Disability and Social Policy which is already giving plenty of food for thought. #SEND #Policy

Three books laid out on a desk. They are:
1. Education, Disability and Social Policy 2nd Edition, Edited by Steve Haines and David Ruebain, 2. Over-Diagnosed: Making people sick in the pursuit of health, by Dr H. Gilbert Welch, 3. Searching for Normal: A new approach to understanding mental health, distress and neurodiversity, by Sami Timimi.

010

Reposted by Adam Steedman Thake

AQA @aqaeducation.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

Brilliant to welcome Zöe Franklin, MP for Guildford, to our office on the University of Surrey's campus this morning. AQA colleagues and members of our wonderful Student Advisory Group had a wide-ranging discussion on matters ranging from the creative arts, SEND and the impact of AI on education.

052

Adam Steedman Thake @thakeman.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

Thanks @munirawilson.bsky.social for highlighting @aqaeducation.bsky.social's work exploring numeracy, literacy and digital fluency. Looking forward to seeing what the DfE come back with! Full report here: cdn.sanity.io/files/p28bar...

Parliamentary question asked by Munira Wilson MP for Twickenham, Liberal Democrat, asking "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the recommendations of the AQA report entitled Towards new assessments for Numeracy, Literacy and Digital Fluency, published in October 2023."

010

Reposted by Adam Steedman Thake

The Institute for Fiscal Studies @theifs.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

In 2024–25, funding for colleges is expected to be around 11% lower per student than it was in 2010–11, and spending in school sixth forms 23% lower per student. Read our report on education spending in England, funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org: buff.ly/3Cas8wp

Chart shows Spending per student in 16–18 colleges and sixth forms (actual and projected for 2025–26). Title states: "College spending per pupil is 11% lower and sixth form spending 23% lower than in 2010–11."

043

Adam Steedman Thake @thakeman.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

As someone who cut their teeth in admissions and faith school policy, there's a few things that need explaining in the coverage of this news story. First: It's only for NEW faith schools. Schools opened pre-2010 can prioritise intake. thetimes.co.uk/article/no-1...

thetimes.co.uk

Faith schools could win right to choose all their pupils

Dropping the rule that keeps intakes 50 per cent secular would be popular with Tories but might face fierce opposition from educationalists

110

Adam Steedman Thake @thakeman.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

Honoured to have The Mountain nominated for Best International Comedy in the New Filmmakers LA awards. Hugely competitive field, and an honour to be mentioned in the same breath as others in the category. Fingers firmly crossed! newfilmmakersla.com/Awards/ #film

000

Adam Steedman Thake @thakeman.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

The new #Education Secretary has a full in-tray at the #DfE. Once the urgent stuff is under control, what comes next? I look up and ahead and offers insights on how to respond in our new blog, here: aqi.org.uk/blogs/what-c...

aqi.org.uk

What comes after ‘urgent’ for the new Education Secretary?

After the burning issues are addressed, what should come next for the new Education Secretary?

010