Sign in

The Mark Scheme

@themarkscheme.bsky.social
510 followers 296 following 325 posts

Mark. North East England Maths teacher. themarkscheme.co.uk Here for education, maths, whisky, F1, data science, politics, vibes, and cheese recommendations.

PostsRepliesMedia
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Experiences of this week has made me appreciate the national curriculum and externally assessed qualifications even more than I already did. Some countries seem to have zero consistency. Seemingly 'equivalent' students in study and achievement that are so laughably different.
100
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Could not be happier at what this question I wrote threw up as discussion points in today's lesson. Even better than I had hoped. #mathstoday #alevelmaths
283
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Coming tomorrow! Making sense of the so called 'relentless' GCSE resit cycle, the proposed Level 1 'stepping stones' and what about Functional Skills? #edusky
020
Reposted by The Mark Scheme
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
We need to stop talking about Michaela: It's now time for 'what next'? The name's a bit clickbaity. There's been some fallout since I wrote most of this, so want to clarify there is zero negativity towards the school, it has sustained excellence - we just need to look beyond. LINK IN 3RD POST
111
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
We need to stop talking about Michaela: It's now time for 'what next'? The name's a bit clickbaity. There's been some fallout since I wrote most of this, so want to clarify there is zero negativity towards the school, it has sustained excellence - we just need to look beyond. LINK IN 3RD POST
111
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Social class indicator. Are you “exceptionally brilliant”, “fearless” and “one of a kind”, or a “joker”, “salt of the earth” and do you “love your mum”? /’satire’ or something
010
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Pushing again - themarkscheme.co.uk/ks4-tech-ed/ Should schools need to think about regional needs? Does social mobility require geographical mobility? Is the KS4 to KS5 transition working as well as it could? (And is continually tinkering KS5 the way to fix it?) #edusky
000
Reposted by The Mark Scheme
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Link in next post. Please read, please share. A big read with some data, perspectives and justifications I've not seen elsewhere, such as KS4 as a lead to KS5. 1. Is it ‘actually’ going to be a dramatic change to curriculum? 2. Does a school need to focus on Regional Needs? ...
101
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Sam has much more knowledge of the political world, I understand the skepticism (I have some of it as well), but I still don't foresee it being as hard a split as many envisage. On average a student ends up with 7.8 GCSEs, the core curriculum in the announcement accounts for around 5 or 6 still.
221
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Link in next post. Please read, please share. A big read with some data, perspectives and justifications I've not seen elsewhere, such as KS4 as a lead to KS5. 1. Is it ‘actually’ going to be a dramatic change to curriculum? 2. Does a school need to focus on Regional Needs? ...
101
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Dropping something new tomorrow. It's a big one. #edusky
000
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
1/2 #edusky in education we have a real problem with deciding “words” are bad and not what they actually represent. So we have people kicking off at universities trying to support students to navigate the different types of resources that are available to them
110
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Confession time! I was in Birmingham on Saturday doing my part to uphold Great British culture...
Gardeners World Live at the Birmingham NEC
000
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
We're probably a bit sick by now, but is the fallout to Edexcel A Level Maths Paper 1 justified? We're talking accessibility, the FA cup 4th round and what the reaction tells us about how to best prepare learners for exams... themarkscheme.co.uk/edexchell-20... #alevelmaths
180
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Two tier ____ (fill in the blank) lands well, and part of it is because people can just use it where they perceive that someone else other than them is the benefactor of something. A perfect voxpop for stirring anger, and a quick label to justify a viewpoint without rationale.
000
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
Some thought around the Millburn review 1) How will NEET young people cost the UK £125billion? 2) Is the situation getting worse? Is it unique? 3) Are 27 non-EU under 25’s hired for every young brit since 2020? 4) Is the report critical of schools? themarkscheme.co.uk/milburn-misc... #edusky
themarkscheme.co.uk
The Milburn Review - Misconceptions arising from the interim report into NEET young people - The Mark Scheme
We’re reviewing a number of misconceptions that have stemmed from the Milburn Review’s interim report
110
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 22/08/2025
I NEED A MUSIC REC. Working on a project, full day at a PC, headphones in, avoid distraction. Efficiency is vital! I want some atmospheric/drone music similar to Eluvium. Tone is very important. As a lot of the stuff I've tried that algorithms throw up is far too "harsh". Serenity is key. Any ideas?
100
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 14/08/2025
#ALevelMaths Happy Resultsplus refresh day to all those who celebrate
031
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 02/08/2025
000
Reposted by The Mark Scheme
Bylines Network @bylinesnetwork.co.uk · 23/07/2025
They’re not reducing pollution – they’re redefining it. The Environment Agency’s own rules mean most sewage dumps don’t count. This isn’t regulation. It’s cover. @eastangliabylines.co.uk
eastangliabylines.co.uk
Most sewage discharges aren’t classified as pollution incidents
Huge numbers of chemical discharges into our waterways are not being classified as a pollution incidents
8272149
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 20/07/2025
Can't quite explain it, but it's giving "live action Wind In The Willows" vibes
010
Reposted by The Mark Scheme
Kit Yates @kityates.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
Lucy Bronze on how she decided to blast her penalty down the middle (and score). “Statistically it’s risky for the goal keeper to stand still… so yeah, I love maths”.
1141194
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
#edusky The museums are alright
140
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 12/07/2025
I hate the heat, the only redeeming quality is it leads to what me and my partner call "Nigel Slater teas". Inspired by his recurring theme of just having desserts for a main meal. Tonight is vanilla cheesecake and strawberries for tea. Perfect.
000
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 21/06/2025
Listening to the thunder eating honey roast cashews
110
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
Off-site today. Having to brave public transport, keeping myself occupied.
000
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
This! I just want a maths specialist from Edexcel to show me Q11 (P1) and Q9 (P2) and tell me that this was by design, and why literally anything else from that topic area was ignored in favour of this approach. I'll give them a fiver if they can maintain the belief in their voice.
040
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
#mathstoday we found the last 2 digits of 6^607 and showed we were better than Google AI
073
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 25/05/2025
...what a wonderful phrase.
010
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
Not saying there's a chance I'm raising a little me, but my 3 year old went to sleep hugging a casio fx-991ex last night
060
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 18/05/2025
#edusky pure Sunday afternoon film watching. The most unrealistic thing in Harry Potter is not the magic, but Snape setting his own homework essays for cover class! Pure psycho behaviour.
000
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
Not a good year but picked up a little bit. Windows95 man would have cleaned up here! Finland or Germany to win for me. Didn't dislike Italy, France, Albania, Denmark or Sweden. No standouts really. Normally a couple songs make the Spotify playlist I update through the year, not this year!
000
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
#eurovision not convinced this isn't Tim Westwood
010
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
#eurovision NAH NAAH VINDALOO VINDALOO NAH NAH
120
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
#eurovision Starting to think that nobody actually wants to win this year
000
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
#eurovision Latvia felt a bit Rose and Conlon Yanamomo/African Jigsaw
000
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
#eurovision if Iceland doesn't save this then I might just turn this off
100
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
And now eat far too much!
000
Reposted by The Mark Scheme
Emily Rae @ecrmaths.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
Just a reminder, if you have any year 12 students who are starting to research university options and think they might need to take an admissions test, my padlet has information and links to resources for MAT, TMUA, STEP, PAT, ESAT and AEA #ALevelMaths padlet.com/ECR_Maths/ad...
padlet.com
Admissions Test Support
Information and resources to help to prepare for university admissions tests - MAT, TMUA, STEP, PAT, ESAT, AEA. Please check individual university websites for any updates or changes to this informati...
03012
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
Today we smoke
010
Reposted by The Mark Scheme
The New York Times @nytimes.com · 16/05/2025
China’s first police corgi, Fu Zai, has won top workplace reviews as an unusual breed of sniffer dog. But his lack of self-control cost him his annual bonus after he was caught swiping a sausage from a child during a street patrol.
nytimes.com
China’s First Police Corgi Has 400,000 Followers and a Nose for Trouble
59910135
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
BREAKING! Conservative MP rediscovers the concept of FE Colleges. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Set up universities in towns and small cities - Herefordshire MP
MP Jesse Norman says there are 50 towns and small cities which do not currently have a university.
000
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
Alright everyone. Looks like we're going to be told to dust off our copies of Dweck!
100
Reposted by The Mark Scheme
Emily Rae @ecrmaths.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
My PowerPoints are generally slides with questions/partial diagrams on, which I then annotate live with my own notes (handwritten on the interactive board) Not sure how this is different to using my (non-existent) iPad with note writing software...
371
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
Good vibes today
000
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
#edusky Had to sit through another piece of "using chatgpt to plan a lesson 'training'" this week, where there is literally no quality control, they spend no time actually interrogating what comes out, just tells you it's amazing, or it would be even better in the future/with this paid version.
2101
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
I'm sure I saw something that said 3% of those employed in the North East are in green skills technology. It's one of the few growth areas in the north east economy. A multi institution National Battery Training Academy has opened in Durham
100
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
Out for breakfast. Very loud person a table over, trying to figure out if the story they're telling is lived experience, a TV show synopsis or true crime nonsense
000
Reposted by The Mark Scheme
Tom Bennison @drbennison.bsky.social · 20/04/2025
My 2025 KS5 Maths Exam preparation resources page will launch on Tuesday alongside a schedule of when certain papers will release by… will post on here when the page goes live. There will be a few things already available at launch.
13910
The Mark Scheme @themarkscheme.bsky.social · 19/04/2025
000