Dr Nick Rudman

Today I'll be saying goodbye to the children @malteseroadps and @StLukesParkPri after 27 years as a headteacher. Wish me luck!

We're deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Chris Rea. A Teesside icon. Rest in peace, Chris ❤️

*One month before her 95th birthday, Patricia Routledge wrote something that still gently echoes:* **“I’ll be turning 95 this coming Monday. In my younger years, I was often filled with worry — worry that I wasn’t quite good enough, that no one would cast me again, that I wouldn’t live up to my mother’s hopes. But these days begin in peace, and end in gratitude.”** My life didn’t quite take shape until my forties. I had worked steadily — on provincial stages, in radio plays, in West End productions — but I often felt adrift, as though I was searching for a home within myself that I hadn’t quite found. At 50, I accepted a television role that many would later associate me with — Hyacinth Bucket, of Keeping Up Appearances. I thought it would be a small part in a little series. I never imagined that it would take me into people’s living rooms and hearts around the world. And truthfully, that role taught me to accept my own quirks. It healed something in me. At 60, I began learning Italian — not for work, but so I could sing opera in its native language. I also learned how to live alone without feeling lonely. I read poetry aloud each evening, not to perfect my diction, but to quiet my soul. At 70, I returned to the Shakespearean stage — something I once believed I had aged out of. But this time, I had nothing to prove. I stood on those boards with stillness, and audiences felt that. I was no longer performing. I was simply being. At 80, I took up watercolor painting. I painted flowers from my garden, old hats from my youth, and faces I remembered from the London Underground. Each painting was a quiet memory made visible. Now, at 95, I write letters by hand. I’m learning to bake rye bread. I still breathe deeply every morning. I still adore laughter — though I no longer try to make anyone laugh. I love the quiet more than ever. **I’m writing this to tell you something simple:** **Growing older is not the closing act. It can be the most exquisite chapter — if you let yourself bloom again.** Let these years ahead be your *treasure years*. You don’t need to be famous. You don’t need to be flawless. You only need to show up — fully — for the life that is still yours. *With love and gentleness,* — Patricia Routledge

Wonderful talk to Essex School Governors this evening from @JJChalmersRM @AngliaRuskin Thanks JJ, totally inspiring!

Great walk in the 🌞 sunshine by the River Swale at Richmond this afternoon and even time for a quick chat with @nmaddo about the #Boro 😃

Happy #InternationalDayOfEducation Have a great day improving lives through learning.

An incredible sight as 'comet of the century' heads over Roseberry Topping ☄️

Ofsted sets out a raft of changes following its biggest consultation in its history These include notifying leaders of inspections on a Monday, reforming the inspection framework and new safeguarding letters Here's what schools need to know... buff.ly/4dJkYwX

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@borosupport Fantastic!. So pleased for you, Leo 😊

Superb #UTB

@_WildfellHall Hatch, looks like 🙂

Vinyl, coffee & cake #MonteDarlo #Darlington

Coffee time at the conference @AngliaRuskin

Excellent and inspiring keynote with @SirajIram this morning @AngliaRuskin Essex Early Years Conference.

On the way @AngliaRuskin Early Years Conference with @kkmerlin1 and friends! #education

Speaking at the @NAHTnews conference, Sir Martyn Oliver has announced a change to our ungraded inspections of schools. From September, they will no longer include deep dives. #OfstedBigListen #NAHTconf

When southerners come up North! 🤣

Whitby 🧡♥️🧡 📸 Lauren Perthen

😎 #YorkshireSlang

Yorkshire Colour Chart. 👍

'Thrice the brinded cat hath mewed.' (Macbeth, 4:1) #ShakespeareSunday

Dogs love working from home