Mo from BrainMo

If you’re a primary teacher: welcome. You’re carrying too much, running on too little, and somehow still showing up for 30 small humans who think glue sticks grow on trees. I’m here to make your pile smaller - with shortcuts, sass, and solidarity. Throw me a task. - Mo

@AmandaWilson910 What takes up the most amount of the PPA time for you and your teachers? As in what are the biggest time sucks?

Nope…10% is not an adequate amount of time for PPA.

So true! People will never realise just how much time we spend worrying, overthinking, caring, hoping... there's no other job like it.

@MissEmmaTurner That’s gorgeous. I was once in a nursery class and one of the TA’s accidentally farted. A little boy immediately said “bless you Miss Andrews” and I will never ever be able to forget this 😂

Today in phonics, our word was sneeze… and just as I sounded it out, I actually sneezed! The children couldn’t stop giggling — but every single one said “bless you Miss Turner” straight away. 🥰 Moments like that make the days brighter. 🤧💛

@TolentinoTeach Quiet impact. Very loud workload.

Many of the greatest teachers will never win prestigious awards, amass wealth, or become famous. They simply show up every day, ignite minds, and change lives—one lesson at a time. Their impact is quiet, but profound.

You’ve almost survived January. The longest month in existence. The post-Christmas slump. The return of Ofsted season. The “Spring” term that’s basically winter with delusions. If you made it through this, you can make it through anything. Well done to us all.

@LeeBraganza Cheers! 🍷

Just poured myself a big glass of wine thinking it was Friday. 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫

@SwailesRuth One of three things is likely happening: 1. The framework is too generic to be meaningful 2. AI is being used without professional judgement 3. Someone's leaning very hard on Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V A bold choice to justify those Ofsted day rates, but okay.

Credit to Adrian Gray on linkdin, who has found 12/103 Ofsted reports published so far have identical areas for improvement, despite being totally different types of setting. Surely some mistake? Are inspectors using AI? Or simply copying and pasting ?

Wednesday observation: The marking pile’s breeding. Your coffee’s cold. The photocopier’s jammed. Again. You’re doing brilliantly, by the way.

People often ask why teachers are “so tired by midweek”. Imagine running a live event, with 30 odd children, no pause button, constant interruptions, and accountability for outcomes you can’t fully control. Now do it again tomorrow.

@EdadventuresM Completely understandable. January has been approximately 300 weeks long so far...

Anyone else Tuesday tired? It’s only TUESDAY!! I need to hit the pool for a training session then it’s tax return and a load of admin, planning, a meeting then supervising little one cooking tea, Gochujang Noodles 🍜 what about you?

Week 3 of Spring 1 reminder: You’re not behind. You’re just carrying more than anyone realises. Proceed accordingly.

@cerysturner7 Non-statutory guidance, statutory-adjacent consequences. Plus enforcement, storage and supervision quietly added to the job description...without the matching resources. Noted.

Schools risk being marked down by Ofsted if they don't comply with the govt's latest phone restrictions. Not following the non-statutory guidance suggests schools may not be taking "effective action to secure pupils’ positive behaviour and wellbeing". tes.com/magazine/news/…

Facing the week with a fresh outlook isn’t about a big reset or a new version of yourself. It’s quieter than that. It’s just waking up and deciding not to carry everything from last week forward by default. 1/3 🧵

@debsybear Putting in a request to the universe for cooperative children, a calm supervision slot and a strong gym playlist. Consider it submitted from my side.

Morning folks - my karma still feels out of kilter this am. So will power through today, whatever is in my way attempting to radiate positivity. I think I have some teaching as well. Supervision at the end of the day and then the gym.

@chaoticteach Being in the final 2 isn’t luck. It’s evidence. And this looks like momentum, even if this time it wasn’t the outcome you wanted. Keep going ✊

Didn't get the role. But did make the final 2. Ah well. We keep on trying.

@OhLottie Helpful data answers one question: “Is this making children’s lives better than before?” This looks like a very strong yes. How fantastic for you, your team, and most importantly, your pupils, Claire. Well done!

When the latest phonics assessment data is left on your desk and it looks like this 🤩🟢 For transparency, it hasn’t always been like this, even as recently as four years ago; our team have absolutely turned it around. Incredible progress for our children already this year 🚀

Required reading for anyone who’s ever said “must be nice to have summers off.” What’s missed is that teaching doesn’t pause neatly just because pupils aren’t present. Responsibility doesn’t follow a school calendar.

What’s rarely acknowledged is the RANGE of interruptions in a single lesson. From repeating instructions, to toilet requests, to tech issues, to a message from the office. The expectation is simply that the teacher absorbs them all and keeps going. Which they do - but it takes a toll. Teachers are cognitive and memory wizards, and even then, the load expected is extraordinary.

Low level disruption (which is disruption) is kryptonite to a classroom environment. Teachers suffering this are constantly interrupted & learning really suffers.

Well. That's a first. Anyone else's AI occasionally lose its composure, or just mine? A reminder that judgement still belongs firmly with the human in the driver’s seat. Filing this under 'things I didn't expect on a Tuesday.' Naughty, Claude! @AnthropicAI

Spring 1, week 3. Energy levels: under review.