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Teacher’s Manual

@unofficialoa.bsky.social
1.5K followers 507 following 530 posts

Omar Akbar | Teacher | Author | The (Un)official Teacher’s Manual | Bad School Leadership | Teaching For Realists | Building Relationships in Schools Podcast: The (Un)official Teacher’s Manual - open.spotify.com/show/5liz0H9ui4voy…

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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Schools cannot claim to prioritise teaching and learning if they don’t have centralised detentions. The amount of time/energy otherwise required could be better spent on the things that matter. It also creates variances in workload. Totally unfair. #edutwitter
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
This is the 8th education secretary we’ve had since 2020. Seriously though- do we even need one? Personally, I think schools need to spend some time being single for a bit before we jump straight into another toxic relationship. #edutwitter
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Just finished. Highly recommend to all educators. It is worth knowing more about how ADHD is diagnosed and how the idea of trauma has evolved significantly over the past decade or so and the impact this has had.
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Supportive colleagues are the best ✌🏼. #edusky
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Many years ago I was at a toxic school that (the term ‘toxic’ to describe schools didn’t even exist then!) bullied out staff who refused to do Saturday sessions. I discuss it here with Dylan and Hayden on the Teach, Repeat Sleep podcast: open.spotify.com/episode/6RJ3...
open.spotify.com
Ep 86: Workplace Bullying, Toxic SLT & Teacher Martyrs: Omar Akbar (The Unofficial Teacher's Manual)
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
If you start coming into school on Saturdays to do voluntary revision sessions (paid or unpaid) soon enough, it will become the expectation and you’ll feel pressured, no matter how much you’re told they’re optional. Keep Saturdays OFF the table.
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Today’s fail: Kid: Sir, what are the numbers between 5 and 8? Me: (looking perplexed) 6,7 Whole class: six seveeeeeen. Me: 😩
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Something has to be done on a national level about parental ‘complaints’ on social media. Not only are they often highly dubious/slanderous (and unevidenced) in nature, but there can be a genuine threat posed to school staff due to their public nature and the hysteria caused.
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
Dear educators, make sure you read this. Eye opening to say the least. Needs and preferences are not the same; labels are not always helpful. #edusky
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Tomorrow we celebrate the end of Ramadan- Eid al-Fitr. We pray. We see family. We give charity. To everyone celebrating, Eid Mubarak to you and yours 🤲🏼❤️ To people of all faiths and none, may be peace be unto you. #edusky
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Building a relationship is not a substitute for a robust behaviour policy. Yes, relationships are important and a fun part of the job! But don’t gaslight teachers into believing ‘they have to like you first.’ They don’t. When they respect you, they will like you.
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Feeling good already ✌🏼 Happy Friday!
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Ramadan Mubarak to everyone celebrating at #edutwitter. Sending everyone - of all faiths and none - good vibes. “Lead such a life that when you die, the people may mourn you, and while you are alive they long for your company.” Peace be unto you all 🤲🏼❤️.
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
I’ve come across many teachers who’ve been forced to lower their standards. Not because they want to but because teaching disruption free for even 5 mins is exhausting and/or impossible at their school. For their sanity, they continue - ignoring disruptors, hoping learning takes place. Sad.
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
“Every time I start talking I am interrupted, turn by turn, by at least 8 pupils. I can’t even give an explanation. When they’re finally silent for 30s, 3 pupils will raise their hand to ask to go the toilet or an inane off topic Q. Repeat for an hour. I’m quitting.”
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Shout out to the one teacher at every school who is the sole reason why the ‘managing difficult conversations’ INSET for middle leaders exists. #edusky
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
I predict that ‘edutainment’ will make a comeback.
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
I’ll take it 😎. #edusky
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Throwback to the time when a year 7 kid shouted ‘keep to the left!’ in an empty corridor and it took me 3 days to realise it was me she was shouting at. #edusky
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
I’m probably late to the party with this, but kids can’t tell (analogue) time any more and I’m not sure how I feel about this. #edusky
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
Research has shown that if there is a male teacher with a pony tail at a school, the chances of him being a physics teacher increase by 850% #edusky
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
Serious post: Look after yourself this year. Nothing is more important than your health- mental and physical. Few things in life are worth compromising these over. Prioritise diet, exercise and sleep. All the best tomorrow. You got this 💪🏼. #edusky #wellbeing
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
Shout out to everyone who’s just going to read a book and will probably be in bed by 10.30pm. #edusky
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 25/12/2025
Apart from the fun stuff at work, I don’t celebrate Christmas. But as a Muslim, I believe that: ‘A person is either your brother in faith or your equal in humanity.’ So Christmas matters to me because it’s celebrated by you ❤️. Merry Christmas and peace be unto you.
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
Whilst the holidays give us time to think and reflect, for many, they can give us too much time to think and reflect! Check out my 5 tips for managing anxiety during the hols: #edusky open.spotify.com/episode/5oo4...
open.spotify.com
5 Tips for Avoiding Anxiety During the Holidays
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
You gotta prioritise your wellbeing in the hols… Here’s how:
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
First Monday of the hols and of course I got #bodyclocked at 5.51am 😩 You? #edusky
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
Good morning new followers and thanks for the follow! #PGCE #ECT need some help with the lesser discussed stuff in teaching?. Check out my first book on Amazon. Some good advice combined with humour and honesty. The perfect teacher-stocking filler 😊. #edusky
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
Whatever you do today/tomorrow… Do NOT give the kids ‘free time.’ Just don’t. #edusky
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
This, 1000x @trythisteaching.bsky.social
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
Shout out to everyone who does the belly tap every time someone says they’ve lost their lanyard because they automatically assume they might have too so you have to check. #edusky
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 14/12/2025
Funny education conversation last night: Me: Are you RI? Friend of friend: I’m fine thanks. Me: No- I meant your school- does it Require Improvement? #edusky
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
When ‘low’ level disruption is explained to non-teachers, it is often dismissed as: kids talk too much haha. The reality is that it is common for a teacher to be interrupted several times, deliberately, by multiple students to the point that a simple explanation is impossible.
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 07/12/2025
Shout out to all the other 20yr teachers. I feel like this is an understated yet significant milestone. #edusky
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
Kid: Sir, what do you call a plane full of bald blokes? Me: (looking somewhat dismayed as I am bald) What? Kid: Receding airlines I haven’t stopped laughing since period 5. #edusky
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
If you ever want to see a plethora of opinions, monumental diversity in perception… ask the kids how old they think you are- see what happens. #edusky
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
Sunrise run this morning was amazing.
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
This ep. (on restorative practice) has been the most listened to and least contentious i.e. no one seems to disagree. Given how common RP still is, however, I cannot find a single (non-anonymous) educator that can tell me of its success- only of failure. Make it make sense.
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
40,000 teachers left the profession last year with student behaviour being a significant factor in their decision. We need to explore the full extent of the damage done by restorative practice with minimal sanctions. @strickomaster.bsky.social and I discuss. open.spotify.com/episode/608O...
open.spotify.com
How Restorative Practice is Failing Schools (and what to do about it) - Sam Strickland
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
Now that I’m almost middle aged… Boy have I started to put my wellbeing first. Unapologetically. #edusky
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 23/11/2025
The problem with a lengthy observation is not (primarily) its stressful nature. It’s the extreme professional distrust that underpins it. ‘Do what you normally do- we’re not trying to catch you out’ simply cannot apply in this circumstance. #edusky
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 22/11/2025
Hill Intervals 💪🏼 On MY treadmill 😁
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
The new OFSTED inspection frame work is worse than the last: One newly qualified teacher was observed “for the best part of two-and-a-half hours during the two days, which is way more than anything you would have ever expected under the old framework”. schoolsweek.co.uk/more-collabo...
schoolsweek.co.uk
Heads issue report cards on new Ofsted inspections
Here’s what five leaders inspected under the new regime had to say about their experience...
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
Got royally cussed today. ‘Sir, you sound like your voice is AI.’ 😳 (What does this even mean?? I dunno but I’m taking offence). #edusky
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 16/11/2025
Morning, A request for help: I recently moved up north (near Bolton) and I’ve been on supply ever since. I need a permanent job. Science teacher. 20yrs exp. Schools don’t always advertise on the TES so if anyone knows anyone, please pass this on? I’d really appreciate it!
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
There was a time when in English, Science (and others) coursework was worth 20-25%. Kids would all - by sheer coincidence of course - get A*s for coursework, D/Es for the exam and therefore a C overall. The school would then reach its 5A-C target. Please- never again.
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 02/11/2025
Don’t get the blues on the first day back… First day back your blues 💪🏼 #edusky (Cringe much? 🤮🤣)
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 01/11/2025
Did it properly this time 🤣💪🏼
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
According to the latest research, going to the dentist in half term has the same impact on teacher wellbeing as going to the tip in half-term. #edusky
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Teacher’s Manual @unofficialoa.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
Shout out to everyone who got #bodyclocked and still isn’t quite sure what’s going on because of the clocks going back as well.
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