Nichola Kent

@Misterbodd Yes! So true this year with some really challenging ones in my class. Last year I was nowhere near this drained by the end of each day.

One of the worst things about being a teacher and a parent. Spend the day being the most patient person on earth and then getting home and struggling to give your own kids the patience they deserve.

@Suey2chaussures Did you get the certificate from the NCA portal? I feel shortchanged that I got my results via email!

So pleased to have been approved to moderate KS2 English writing for 2025–26. Always good to keep learning and contributing 🎉

@MyTeachingDiary @MrTs_NQTs UKS2 is a million times better than KS1 - you couldn’t pay me enough to go below Y3 now. There are loads of videos online to talk you through the maths. Don’t teach too many strategies for calculating with fractions: pick one and overlearn it.

@MrTs_NQTs HELP!! I’ve been a Year 1 teacher for the last 3 years and I’m moving to Year 5. I am absolutely terrified. Any advice would be really appreciated/support for maths understanding!!

@MsSammyMcHugh If you have a drink at lunchtime you can’t make it through the afternoon, but if you don’t have a drink at lunchtime you have a headache all afternoon. Getting older is the gift that keeps on giving.

I'll tell you what *no one* is talking about: teachers going to the toilet. Especially middle aged female teachers who might sometimes need to go outwith break times.

@LeeBraganza Our village shop does these and they are SO good. Still think the original is best.

Big decisions to make for brunch...

@LeeBraganza Youngest has been in full time since last Thursday. Still isn’t tired. Neither was the eldest when she started reception two years ago. Why don’t I get a sleepy child??? It’s not fair!

It was her first full day in Reception today. Precisely ten minutes ago she told me she's not tired and it was well easy. She's currently fast asleep and snoring on the sofa.

@keith_campion Ditto. They get so little outside time otherwise, what with school and our wet climate.

@NicholaHowroyd We’re really lucky to get that time with our children 😌 there is always talk of shortening the holidays, but my boys has thrived in the outdoors this summer making memories

About to begin my 18th year as a primary teacher. I love the job & still see it as a privilege. But the gift of teaching is also the summers I get with my own children — and this one has been full of special times 💙

@lifeatthenest @MrEFinch Exactly this. No reason why secondary school students can’t also be comfortable in a plain polo and jumper.

@MrEFinch …inappropriate clothing but then you’ve got to police that too. Parents wouldn’t like your judgement. Imagine at the moment with all the patriot stuff! I think most primaries have sensible uniform but all the blazer and tie stuff of most secondary schools is very outdated imo.

I've never really understood; can anyone outline the benefits of school uniform to me? Extra points if you can explain why these benefits are, apparently, irrelevant in those many countries that don't have uniform?

@Headteacherchat Scottish Highlands, beside a loch. Ideally with no neighbours.

If I could live anywhere on this planet, it would be in the Suffolk town of Walberswick. Where would you live?

@PrimaryCoHead Threenager. Ours just turned 4 last week, and we’re hoping school in September will knock that phase right on the head. Eldest is in the throes of the Sassy Sixes, which is also a phase full of deep joy for us beleaguered parents.

Whoever named the Terrible Twos the Terrible Twos had clearly not experienced the utter sass of a 3.5 year old, overly confident ‘big girl’ with an extensive vocabulary who is fiercely independent but who also wants to be waited on hand and foot.

@Headteacherchat Uniform. Designated colour of polo shirt, cardigan/jumper and skirt/shorts/trousers chosen by each school. Primary and secondary alike. No branding.

What one thing would you change in schools? (Not government led agenda) i.e. homework

@RogersHistory I couldn’t even have contemplated an NQP, let alone anything else - and that’s as an experienced teacher. Would have been the straw that broke the camel’s back alongside parenting, teaching and life admin.

I'm in awe of those who manage to complete and pass professional qualifications alongside teaching/leading fulltime in schools.

@SlatteryMr Mine got me this exact set at PGL in May! Very well chosen, I must say. Now live on my lanyard.

On residential last week I watched the kids buying all sorts of tat at the gift shop and then I saw… tat for me! Love these badges!

@NewHeadteacher Go away on holiday the first day of the summer break; spend the last few days of term manically packing, but then you’re forced to slow down. Doesn’t fully work if you have small kids though, but it does jolt you out right of school mode (note: I am a teacher, not a head).

Does anyone else REALLY struggle at the start of the hols? I find it so hard to go from the crazy relentlessness of the last week to just trying to stop and relax. Always feel restless and anxious I should be doing something for the first few days. Want to chill but can’t 😩🙄

@DeputyGrocott East Sussex: 1. Seven Sisters Country Park 2. Raystede 3. Bedgebury Pinetum 4. Ashdown Forest 5. Birling Gap All only ask for car parking costs or a small donation.

HELP BUILD A UK FAMILY DAYS OUT GUIDE! I’m putting together a list of affordable family days out this summer,hopefully for every UK county (with your help):from hidden gems to big attractions with offers. I’ll start with Suffolk–please reply with your area and suggestions! REPOST

@pastelteacher This completely explains my crazy dreams over the last week. I knew the date, had made myself not think about it during the day and now all of the night wakings make sense 😬

My Year 6 pals, how’s everyone feeling about tomorrow? I’m a little nervous actually. 🫣

@dave_mcpartlin I find it baffling that in 2025 we’re still debating allowing people - including teenagers - to wear weather appropriate clothing. So long as no one is flashing a bum cheek what’s the issue?

Taking the annual campaign for it to be acceptable for men to wear shorts to work to a new level with this little BBC article. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

@DeputyGrocott Secondary uniform rules are batshit. Surely there are more important things to argue with teenagers about than clothing? Should be branded polo, jumper and plain grey trousers/shorts/skirt for all. Cheap and saves all the drama.

Any other primary schools feel terrible that we let our children take their jumpers off when they want to? Clearly something that needs to wait until at least 16 years old 😂

@SculptingMinds Which AI tool do you use?

If you’re not using AI to help with reports, you are missing a trick. Added personal bullet points to my class list, gave very specific instructions & then allowed the tool to compose the comments based on these, & previous reports I’ve written, to keep my tone and style.