Geoff Barton
@RealGeoffBarton
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Recovering English teacher, head, and union baron. Chiefly: books, food, Shakespeare, oracy … and gratuitous pics of Suffolk skies with border terrier Molly B.
Joined March 2009
In my 32 years as a teacher, 15 of them as headteacher, I inevitably dealt with moments of poor behaviour and inappropriate conduct - from young people and staff. I have to say "I'm only human" was never good enough as an excuse from any of them for any of it.
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An appalling comment about our frontline workers in education and health: “Boris Johnson behaved like teachers & nurses in having lockdown work drinks”
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“When they were elected in 2010, the Conservatives slashed the funding to New Labour’s Building Schools for the Future programme. This week, the consequences of this shortsighted and ideological approach is laid bare”: scathing @guardian editorial:
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For anyone out there who thinks 'living with Covid' means 'Covid has gone', here's an insight into what it's like across our schools and colleges - an email from a secondary head received in the last ten minutes. I get messages like this constantly. And a government in denial.
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With some today caricaturing the teaching profession, I thought I'd share this exchange between a pupil and a teacher. The teacher happens to be my wife, an Art teacher who loves helping pupils to succeed. Her response exemplifies the commitment of so many teachers #UntoldStory
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In my humble opinion, the disappointing thing about this #ITVDebate format is that it gives no space for proper exploration of ideas. It promotes soundbites over analysis, superficial responses over explanation. Not sure it gets us very far at a time of such national crisis.
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In my experience, in every role I had in various schools, the night before the start of a new term was always laden with anxiety. So tonight, to anyone who works in any type of school or college, here's thinking of you - and wishing you all the very best for the week ahead.
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Recap: "Instead of fixating on what children have lost this last year, let's focus on what they'll need next – and that includes laughter": my @tes blog:
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It is obvious the government has made an utter shambles of the arrangements for the start of term, and the lack of a clear scientific rationale. We have convened an emergency meeting of @ASCL_UK Executive Committee today to discuss our position in light of this chaotic situation.
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The full @ASCL_UK statement in response to the appalling slur on teachers & nurses by @Mike_Fabricant:
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Erm. Sunday, 8:02 pm. About an issue known about for years . .
All bodies responsible for school and college buildings must fill out our questionnaire on Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete if not already completed 👇. Settings with suspected RAAC will be brought forward for surveying. 1/2.
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“We hope that the public sees this for what it is - utterly unreasonable. We have asked SoS to return to the negotiating table, to publish the STRB report, & to guarantee every school has the money needed to fund pay awards”: my comments @ASCL_UK:
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Thought for the day:."An advanced city is not one where even the poor use cars, but rather one where even the rich use public transport" - Colombian politician, Enrique Peñalosa.
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In personal news . .
Former head teacher @RealGeoffBarton is to serve a second term as general secretary of @ASCL_UK after being re-elected unopposed.
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As we bring more young people back into our schools and colleges, let's tone down the language of catastrophe and catchup, and most definitely not forget the arts, the sport . the laughter: my @tes blog:
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Am finding this whole presidential inauguration - the traditions, the words, the music, the sense of history - incredibly moving. The world feels a little brighter this evening.
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Saddened by the loss of Sir Ken Robinson. His views were caricatured by a few, but most teachers, parents, employers understood his key message: that education in the 21st century must move beyond what is simplistically measurable. His voice will be missed
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“The best #strictly final ever,” says @TheAntonDuBeke. Well, having watched every series for the past 20 years, I can only agree. Here’s a programme that consistently shows us the better side of ourselves with its inclusivity, optimism and unadulterated joy in a gloomy world.
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Many, many thanks for all the kind comments on my being awarded a CBE. Tonight I’ll raise a glass to the amazing pupils, colleagues and leaders I’ve worked with, learnt from, and been privileged to represent over a career of almost 40 years. A happy new year to you all.
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I rarely comment on political issues. But today feels different. It’s about values, culture, & ethics. The people I lead - in schools & colleges of all types - are steeped in public service. They want young people to crave a life in public service. That becomes less likely today.
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One of the unexpected, humbling, life-affirming aspects of having been a teacher is receiving out-of-the-blue messages like this one .
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Thank you, Coldplay, for tonight’s extraordinary and much-needed dose of all-encompassing optimism #Glastonbury - and, yes, for “making us happy to be alive”
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“This is quite a moment, isn’t it …?”: Why I joined my fellow General Secretaries from @NEUnion @NASUWT and @NAHTnews on behalf of @ASCL_UK today @SkyNews.
ASCL General Sec, @RealGeoffBarton on teachers' strikes: 'We went into those talks in good faith, they were bizarre and surreal in many times, but we did not play the union barons and we gave an absolute evidence based case.'. Sky 501/YouTube
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What a wordsmith ….
"Turns out [Sunak] is as much of a mendacious narcissistic sociopath as his previous boss". Comedian Ben Elton describes #BBCLauraK's interview with PM Rishi Sunak as "an extraordinary, Orwellian, meaningless, evasive word salad".
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"Children reading for joy is one of the two key factors in children's future economic success: they will also be healthier and happier. In prisons, libraries are statutory - but not in schools": great campaign by the Children's Laureate, @CressidaCowell:
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For weeks & weeks @ASCL_UK and others have been asking 'What's plan B in case of further lockdowns?' Finally we have it - on the Friday night before a bank holiday ahead of the full re-opening of schools and colleges. It's not the government's finest hour.
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In family news (from Silvaplana, Switzerland), Matt Barton won silver in today's international iQFOiL World Championships - aka number 2 in the world. We couldn't be prouder.
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"First day back at school has gone well, say heads" @BBCNews .This, of course, hasn't happened by accident: it's because of the amazing work by all staff in our schools and colleges, the steadfastness of governors, and the trust of parents & carers
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“This looks like an appeals process so surreal & bureaucratic that the government would be better off doing that U-turn, and allowing original teacher-assessed grades, where they are higher, to replace moderated grades”: my comments on behalf of @ASCL_UK:
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“We are calling for an immediate pause of all school and college inspections, until both Ofsted and the DfE respond in full to the seven areas of concern identified by the coroner”: my letter with @PaulWhiteman6 @ASCL_UK @NAHTnews
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Apropos nothing: strikes me that a lot of popular TV shows celebrate people's ability to make things - #TheRepairShop, #SewingBee, #MasterChefUK - whilst so much of the curriculum in schools ignores or denigrates such skills. Time to end the snobbery.
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Watching BBC2's #School, it's hard to know what to say. So many good people doing their best. Therefore, just this: Plato - "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle".
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This is simply wonderful: the life-changing impact of great teachers:.
On #InternationalTeachersDay I wanted to share this clip of Ian Wright talking about an inspiring teacher. It's incredibly moving - you'll want to watch it until the end.
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With all this talk of summer schools, extended school days and repeated years, it's perhaps worth reminding ourselves of the evidence of impact from @EducEndowFoundn:
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"Year 11 pupils typically sit more than 30 hours of examinations in the new GCSE system, and we are very concerned about the impact on their mental health and wellbeing": my comments for @ASCL_UK on reformed GCSEs versus IGCSEs:
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It's the birthday today of Prof David Crystal. Anyone who has taught English language at any level will know how influential he has been as an explainer of linguistics. Here, for example, is a piece on the quirks of English spelling. David - thank you.
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Amid ongoing confusion over the appeals process, enough is enough: “It is time for ministers to stop the chaos and fall back on teacher-assessed grades rather than prolong this nightmare”: my comments on behalf of @ASCL_UK :
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On Friday @gilliankeegan announced she was intending to introduce minimum service levels. As ever, the press was briefed before anyone talked to education unions - ie the people representing teachers & leaders. That afternoon, a head in Staffordshire sent me this email and pics.
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“We were frankly appalled to hear you talk about people leading our schools & colleges as ‘hanging on to mediocrity’, and that education needs ‘constant attention and pressure to drive it forward’”: our @ASCL_UK @asclpresident letter to the Sec of State:
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“It is desperately disappointing that you, as Secretary of State for Education - the very person who should be standing up for schools - instead chooses to denigrate them in pursuit of a headline": the letter from @PaulWhiteman6 and me @ASCL_UK @NAHTnews:
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"Frankly, school leaders would prefer the education secretary to deiiver an ambitious recovery plan & say how he intends to minimise educational disruption next term rather than playing to backbenchers on the subject of mobile phones”: my comments @ascl:
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Quite a time ahead for school/college leaders, teachers and all the other staff working in our schools. Amid so much anxiety and speculation, best wishes to everyone involved in supporting our young people, whatever your role. Your public service is understated and appreciated.
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Child poverty, underfunding, crumbling school estates, a burgeoning teacher recruitment & retention crisis, lack of support for children with individual needs . and yet today we got some non-statutory guidance on mobile phones. To govern is to choose . .
Almost one third of secondary school pupils said that their lessons were disrupted by phones. Today’s guidance will help schools put an end to this.
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“The 1.5 million people who did A levels last year got a day of national media coverage, but what about the 3.8 million people who took vocational qualifications?”: well said, @stephbreakfast @tes, once again celebrating further education:
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I didn’t know the late Jonathan Sacks. Nor did I share his faith. But I have read all of his books, learnt hugely from them, and was privileged just once to hear him speak in person. Only a couple of weeks ago I tweeted this quote, not knowing then that he was leaving us.
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"Many members are telling us that this is the final straw which is leading them to step down from school or college leadership. We simply cannot afford, as a society, to treat leaders & teachers in this way": the full letter from @PaulWhiteman6 and me:
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On a results day like no other, best wishes to all students. And sincere thanks to teachers and leaders for working through a rigorous process of assessment and internal moderation to arrive at centre-assessed grades. We owe you our gratitude.
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Feels to me that schools and colleges have done a brilliant job this week, against a backdrop of anxiety, uncertainty, and faltering systems. So, from my walk tonight with Molly B, simply this: thank you. Hoping you get some time off this weekend.
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I'm not great at the emotional stuff - but just to say thanks to the whole amazing @ASCL_UK team, and to everyone else I've been privileged to work with over the past giddy 7 years. I'll post a predictably cheesy message at 5pm when I step down. But for now, just this: thank you.
After seven years speaking on behalf of members and acting on behalf of children and young people, we pay tribute to outgoing ASCL General Secretary @RealGeoffBarton for his compassionate, wise, and inspirational leadership. Thank you from us all at ASCL.
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"All of this just raises questions about an education system which is so utterly reliant on examinations, which isn’t prepared to trust its teachers – and which isn’t resilient”: my comments on behalf of @ASCL_UK:
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From all my years as a teacher, I remember that the first Sunday evening of a half-term break is one of the best nights of the year. If that applies to you, savour it. You've earned it.
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On grade inflation; young people being treated as if they are being put into a class detention; and the need for a national educational mission: my comments for @ASCL_UK in today's @BBCBreakfast interview (HT @ScrlNShare).
Every other country that performs highly in education trusts its teachers - @RealGeoffBarton says that should have happened in England rather than create a system that has given a student predicted a C grade, a U. In the systems eyes she has failed an exam she couldn't even sit.
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"It is, I suppose, the Christmas gift that keeps on giving. The government, I mean. Because every time you think they cannot possibly set a new low in their handling of education, they manage somehow to do so": my @tes blog:
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We had our Covid jabs this morning and I was surprised by how emotional it felt: the quietly breathtaking efficiency; the spirit of public service; the cheerful optimism; the kindness of strangers. Thanks to all who made this happen.
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"It is beggars belief that this announcement is being made now after the government has spent the last few weeks refusing to contemplate the idea of remote learning, and threatening schools with legal action": my comments for @ASCL_UK @Independent:
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I suspect most of us want children to go to the theatre, museums and galleries because we want them to go the theatre, museums and galleries - not because it may improve their GCSE scores. What a sad, utilitarian premise:
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Mesmerising:.
Judi Dench was on Graham Norton last night to push her new book about her life and work with Shakespeare. After making the point we quote Shakespeare daily without knowing it, this happened:
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And so, at the end of another A level results day (my 34th!), just to pay tribute to the unsung heroes who make it happen: Examination Officers and their admin teams - carrying such responsibility, behaving with integrity, and ensuring stressful days run smoothly. Appreciated.
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The story that won't go away: "Unlike what seems to be the case in Downing Street, alcohol is not a feature of the working day in schools, and teachers do not drink in staff rooms. Mr Fabricant’s remark is both factually incorrect and insulting": @ASCL_UK:
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“I think we’ll look back one day and see that the leaders of our schools and colleges did something deeply significant in these days of swirling uncertainty”: my @tes blog:
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“There is much that the education secretary could be getting on with, rather than jumping to wild assumptions about school behaviour and crowd-pleasing announcements about mobile phone bans”: my comments on behalf of @ASCL_UK @Independent
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The view from here: .Fifty years ago next month, I started secondary school. Between 1974 and 1981, I was taught by an extraordinary English teacher, Roy Samson. Because of him I read English and then became an English teacher. He’s staying with us here in Suffolk this weekend.
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Recap: "What on earth has it come to that, at a time of national crisis, the trust between parents and schools, government and school leaders, is reduced to a squalid threat of 'enforcement' by Ofsted?": my @tes blog at the end of a tumultuous week:
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"When day comes, we step out of the shade aflame and unafraid": .Just in case anyone ever asks what's the role of a poet laureate, or what's the point of poetry .
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The Secretary of State wrote to school leaders today about Relationships & Sex Education. Here is our response:
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“Children fall in love with reading as a result of falling in love with being read to”: my @tes blog for #WorldBookDay:
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An unexpectedly busy day. But I’m fortunate to live in a beautiful part of the world that always restores perspective. Here’s the view from my walk with Molly B this morning beneath Suffolk’s big skies.
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“There is no point in bringing all children back at once if this immediately forces another lockdown. It is vital that all options are kept open including a phased return if this proves a more prudent approach”: my comments for @ASCL_UK:
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It's another Sunday night, at the beginning of another week of who-knows-what? .Teachers, leaders and all the other other staff in our schools & colleges have done amazing work over the past year. Now, here we go again. All best wishes for the week ahead.
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One day ministers will perhaps get back to tackling the big issues in education, such as child poverty, the teacher recruitment & retention crisis, crumbling schools, etc. In the meantime … as @Samfr says ….
Classic conference announcement this. Something nearly all schools already do and that the government can't force them to do anyway.
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“Schools & colleges have had to do all the marking, grading and quality assurance normally be carried out by exam boards, so it seems reasonable that they should receive a rebate that is commensurate with this massive task”: today’s @ASCL_UK survey
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It's almost four years since I taught my last English lesson, and more than thirty since I taught my first one. So getting messages like this today, from a former pupil, is a reminder of the extraordinary, everlasting, life-enhancing privilege of being a teacher.
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As someone with an English Lit degree, (a) I use the knowledge & skills I learnt all the time; (b) studying literature has made my life richer & more satisfying; (c) how depressing is this government's scorn for humanities, & utilitarian view of learning:
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And so say all of us . .
Tell you what. After all the chaos, isn't it great not to be spending the day comparing schools, or types of schools, against each other like we would on a normal results day?.Well done, everyone. You did well.
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"The hard-working professionals we represent are frankly tired of being unfairly criticised by politicians that find themselves in a bind": the letter from @PaulWhiteman6 @NAHTNews and me for @ASCL_UK to the current Secretary of State for Education:
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“The announcement of a ‘mobile phone ban’ is a policy which isn’t needed for something which isn’t a problem. It’s been timed for the Conservative party conference in a desperate attempt to grab a headline”: my comments on behalf of @ASCL_UK:
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“Ultimately, the most important thing for young people is a broad and balanced curriculum where we don’t use the language of ‘catch-up’ and think: ‘Right, I’ll take them out of their PE lessons and give them extra maths’”: my comments to @CommonsEd
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This is glorious ….
Mom, who's a physics teacher, accepts a challenge from her son, who's a soccer player, to move a mini-soccer ball.
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As another challenging, unpredictable, wearying week beckons, best wishes to you all. Just keep moving those feet forward .
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Education has finally surfaced as an issue in the Tory leadership contest. It's a pity that it completely misses the point. A quick reflection:
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Lots of glossy photos here of the Secretary of State for Education. Me - I’d like to pay tribute instead to the headteachers, CEOs, and other school staff who have had to navigate their way through a crisis that was not of their making. You have been amazing.
Ensuring children and staff are safe will always be my top priority as Education Secretary. 🧵Here's a thread on the action we've been taking this week to protect buildings and minimise disruption to education from RAAC:. 1/7
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'Music students are the equivalent of an academic year better in maths, science and English than their non-musical classmates, according to a Canadian study of 112,000 students':
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"Our analysis shows an average primary school in your constituency will be facing a £35-45k shortfall by September 2024; an average secondary school a shortfall of £200-250k, equating to 4 to 5 teachers": today's open letter to Conservative MPs:
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Thank you once again #Strictly: you (a) remind us of the extraordinary power of human endeavour; (b) celebrate our diverse and proudly inclusive society; and (c) then leave us blubbing at the end of every show. #Consistent
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'The excuses of @andreajenkyns for raising her middle finger to crowds outside No 10 would not be acceptable from teaching staff or pupils . ': today's joint letter from @ASCL_UK, @NEUnion, @NAHTnews and @unisontheunion:
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