Andrew McCallum

I've gone across to Bluesky. My infrequent posting will just be there from now on. @andrewemc.bsky.social

@greeborunner I wish I could share your optimism. The process is well under way now and we haven't heard a single thing, so I suspect putting us there is a holding strategy, certainly for KS3+4

@AndrewEMC Yes, i said there's no guarantee of work, but in a subject like English I'd imagine they will need to call on others, especially as it isn't someone from an association named, unlike Steve Brace for geography.

Following concerns about who is involved in writing the new National Curriculum, you can find the full list of those with contracts to be involved at the bottom of this link. linkedin.com/redir/redirect…

@greeborunner 3 of the EMC team are on the framework but that shouldn't allay concerns about the limited number of people writing the NC. We haven't been approached by the DFE or the 2 writers. Anyone on this list but not the one published in the TES is not currently involved + might never be

The contract doesn't mean holding the pen, or even guarantee work, but it does mean concerns about the limited nature are unfounded. E.g. the list of 2 for English doesnt mention the 2 from The English Media Centre. There are lots of representatives from subject associations

November's Big Picture Writing webinar with me + @BarbaraBleiman explores 'composition-led writing' - getting something on paper + working with it. It's such an important part of any effective writing pedagogy! englishandmedia.co.uk/courses/0a4bfd…

A wonderful new blog by @AndrewEMC for @EngMediaCentre describing a lesson he saw taught by one of EMC’s current Associate Teachers & what it reveals about the potential for expansive learning & multiple outcomes from expansive, imaginative, open tasks. englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/the-simul…

@MeghannW1987 @EngMediaCentre Sorry for the late response. It’s a rather ugly phrase to describe having stuff to write about

@EngMediaCentre Can you explain what you mean by ‘serviceable content’?

‘Blank page panic’ is the number one enemy of GCSE exam writing. What evidence-based strategies might help? One approach is to teach and practice how to generate ideas and come up with ‘servicable content’, just as you would any other skill. 🧵 #GCSEEnglish #TeacherTwitter

5 HOURS TO GO! Our summer webinar package is available to buy until 5pm this afternoon. Give your team the gift of CPD! englishandmedia.co.uk/workshops/20...

This is an absolute must-read by the brilliant @DamsonEd! Some of us have been trying to make these points for a long while, especially about reading being more than decoding, and meaning being more than words in isolation from text.

Spring course programme up and ready to book. Including the Spring Webinar Package, with access for all your department! englishandmedia.co.uk/courses/ englishandmedia.co.uk/workshops/2079…

Jaw is dropping afresh on reading this, even tho general position on Ofsted's misuse of research ev in these reviews is well-known. One finding: Ofsted based a statement in its report on the findings of a study involving only four children,then "generalis[ed] to all children"

"Stifle talk and you stifle thinking. Stifle thinking and you stifle learning ... ": a terrific, uplifting account of #oracy in action from @AndrewEMC (HT @BarbaraBleiman): buff.ly/4fA55ZW

@BarbaraBleiman Brilliant blog, Barbara, and well done for speaking out. It's time to move on from the 'discourse of derision' used for so long to discredit + erroneously label sound, established practices

I offered some thoughts to the arguments about knowledge that blew up on X a few days ago. X isn't great for extended thinking, so I've done a short blog, raising a few points about the past period from my pov & interest in knowledge in subject English. barbarableiman.com/post/my-take-o…

@EngMediaCentre @thecockerill @NATEfeed Get in touch when you officially start - so pleased for you and for NATE

Congratulations to @thecockerill on his appointment as the new @NATEfeed Director, beginning in January. What a fantastic appointment! We look forward to collaborating in the future

Terrific piece, opening up serious questions that go well beyond what to ‘keep in’, ‘add’ or ‘lose’ in curriculum reform. Great on linearity, subject differences, complexity & the journey not being the same as the outcome.

At what point will govt sit up & take notice? GCSE English results are of critical importance to students, for future study & employment. Also to schools & teachers proving 'success' to Ofsted. Yet, as @mr_englishteach says, the system is broken! It's not reliable.

EMC CPD Online: Grammar – Getting the Balance Right at KS3 (6.11.24) Andrew cuts through the myths and misconceptions to help you get your grammar teaching right at KS3. Book your place by 8.00am on 4 Nov tinyurl.com/454u4tzp @AndrewEMC

EMC CPD Face-to-Face: Assessment – Principles & Practices (19.11.24) "I came away buzzing with ideas and a vision of how I would love to change what we do, and elements of how we do it." Book your place by 8.00am on 15 Nov tinyurl.com/bd9p8scx @AndrewEMC

EMC CPD Online: Audience with a GCSE Poet – Liz Berry, AQA Worlds and Lives (24.10.24) A chance to hear live from poet Liz Berry and put your questions to her. Book your place by 8.00am on 22 Oct tinyurl.com/42we23nw @AndrewEMC

@ahernahern @BarbaraBleiman We're not advocating just showing students texts. We're advocating getting students working on texts, noticing things in texts, big + small. Our concern is with the excessive focus on bottom up, component-led approaches + assumption that this is what 'some kids' need most

If you teach English and have not already seen this, you may want to take a look. It raises key ideas about the teaching writing, how talk can contribute (Oracy), the teaching of sentences and more. englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/teaching-…