Ruth Swailes
@SwailesRuth
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School Improvement Adviser OUP curriculum author/developer. Deemed “unsuitable”and an “influencer” by DFE.Navigating grief and loss right now. All views my own.
England, United Kingdom
Joined December 2014
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@iQuirky_Teacher
@thepetitioner
@Sue_Cowley
@live_looper
@Ara314413
@PeteMoorhouseEY
An x ray of a developed hand (around the age of 7) compared to an EYFS age child’s hand is pretty informative. Also occupational therapists issue fantastic advice on how to develop handwriting in an age appropriate way matched to children’s physical development.
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Thank you for being there for us. I know some will think we, “over shared” but your love, support and kindness have been a shining beacon in dark times and have made such a difference to us all. 💔
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Maybe Gillian can pick up Nadine Dorries and bring her into work while she’s at it 🤦🏼♀️
Headteachers should pick up absent pupils from home, says education secretary Gillian Keegan
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A really good question from a great headteacher I know. If a member of staff used the same language as the Home secretary used yesterday, would they be failing in their safeguarding duties if they didn't flag this up with Prevent as a person who has potentially been radicalised?
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Many years ago a wise head told Pete to write school reports imagining that parents were opening them at the end of a bad day, to be honest but kind, as you’re talking about their most precious thing. I had a great day but it’s been a tough year. This meant so much tonight.
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Can’t register Pete’s death yet as, because he died on a Saturday the paperwork hasn’t got to the registrar yet. I’m smiling at the fact that even in death, Pete is late with his paperwork.
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Pete’s cancers have shrunk. The best news we could have hoped for. Chemotherapy starts again in a few weeks. In the meantime he’s having his pic line taken out after a slight mishap with it last night. Then we get packing for hols.Thanks for all your support and good wishes x
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Tonight I’ve been told that schools should run more like businesses. I’ve worked in private businesses. I’ve never been expected to bring things from home in order to be able to do my job. I’ve never been expected to pay for my own resources when working for a private business
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Waiting outside A and E as I’m not allowed in with Pete due to covid restrictions. He has a temperature of 38.8 and as he’s undergoing chemotherapy there’s a risk of him having sepsis. Positive vibes would be very welcome .
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Our General Secretary and Chief Executive
@patcullen9
has written to
@Mike_Fabricant
over his comments today on nurses drinking in staff rooms during
#COVID19
.
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Best news 😊Significant reduction in all tumours, no sign of any new tumours, and fine to go ahead with round 7 of chemotherapy on Tuesday. Amazing care from the NHS. We’re now thinking about planning for Christmas together, something we never thought possible a few weeks ago.
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This morning I emailed my daughter’s head to say thanks for being inclusive. They just phoned to say my email had been just what they needed. If your child’s school does something you value, please take time to tell them. It can make all the difference.
#thankateacher
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Just got home. Pete has had the procedure and a lot of fluid has drained off, leaving him much more comfortable and able to breathe. He’s had another transfusion and will have another one tomorrow and an iron infusion. Thanks for all your good wishes, we really appreciate them.
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Did he really just ask that question? “Primary school teachers are mainly women, how will they return to school if they don’t have childcare?” Don’t men have childcare responsibilities? 😳
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A plea. If you’re going to write a curriculum for children aged under 5, please teach children under 5. Not for a lesson or a day, but for a substantial period of time. Then try out your curriculum with the children you teach. I’m getting a bit fed up of people producing
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I’ve tried to contact everyone I’m working with in the next few weeks but if I’ve missed you out, please accept my apologies . I won’t be working for the foreseeable future. At all.
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Delighted that one of Pete’s former pupils has volunteered to read
@MichaelRosenYes
“chocolate cake” at the funeral. We’ve ordered chocolate cake for the wake too.
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We are so grateful for all your love and support, it made all the difference. It was tough but I think we gave him a fitting send off and I know he would have been so proud of his girls and his friends and family. Thank you, everyone, your support means more than you’ll ever know
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My 6th and final school visit of the week. I’ve worked with 10 schools in total this week and it’s been an honour and privilege. Here’s what I know:
1. Staff are working exceptionally hard.
2. There is a huge amount of illness, and schools are working hard to cover classes
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We’re being held up by friends and family , Ashgate hospice and the wonderful NHS at the moment. Yesterday, when thanking a friend I was told, “don’t be daft, he’d do the same for me”. You get what you give and Pete is getting so much love right now because he’s given it to so
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Good morning from New York. A day of adventure beckons. Empire State, tour bus, shopping, Central Park and the Staten Island ferry, Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway tonight.
#makingnewmemories
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Well done if you’re a head, nursery leader or worker, teacher, member of suppprt staff or governor. You made it through another extremely challenging week. Make sure you get some rest this weekend and take time for you!
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My personal “don’t swear on twitter” policy is being pushed to the absolute limit. I thought I might feel calmer after a night’s sleep, but if it’s possible I’m even more angry than yesterday.
The coroner clearly stated yesterday that a woman ended her life because of the way a
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The radiologist says there has been a, “significant reduction” in Pete’s tumours! We’ll know more on Friday and still need to sort out blood clots but wrt cancer this is the best news we could have hoped for. Hopefully, we will have more time together
#ChuffOffCancer
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We’re off to Weston park this morning. If all goes to plan, we’ll be isolating once we get home and Pete will start palliative chemotherapy next week. All good vibes appreciated.
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Tonight’s milestone moment- back in October youngest asked if she could take part in the school drama production. February seemed so far away and I thought I’d be watching with her sister. Tonight we booked 3 tickets. It sounds insignificant but it’s a big deal.
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Given a choice we’d both rather be celebrating a different way, but I’m so grateful to be able to say Happy 26th wedding anniversary. I know how lucky we are.
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Thank you for all your kindness. Your DMs and messages are so thoughtful. Pete and I are overwhelmed by your kindness. Pete had a syringe driver fitted this afternoon which has made him much more comfortable. We’ve even managed to have a few laughs together.
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Update: Pete has been given antibiotics and I have been allowed to bring him home. Thank you for all your good wishes. It was very lonely up at the hospital for a while but I didn’t feel alone with everyone rooting for us. Thank you cxxx
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Just got back to my hotel and got my phone out to tell Pete I was here safely. Duh.
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A better night last night for Pete, no sickness and some sleep.
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More moral backbone around that microphone than in the entire UK Government right now.
🎶Three is the magic number, yes it is…it’s the magic number” 🎶
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Good morning from Buttons ! I hope the week is kind to you and you can focus on what’s important. Good luck to all those involved in SATS, it’ll soon be over x
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Just got home from the hospital. Pete is as comfortable as he can be at the moment, he will need a scan tomorrow before they decide what to do next. Thanks for all your good wishes and kindness, it really does make a difference.
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The Christmas holiday just consists of emptying and refilling the dishwasher, doesn’t it?
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It’s going to take me a while to respond to you all personally but I need to say a huge thank you to everyone who has sent a DM, a text, an email, a fb message, a tweet or who has given me a hug and said “we’ve got you” tonight. Speaking out is scary. But you lot make it so much
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“If you can’t afford children don’t have them” must seem so logical to people who’ve never had anything unexpected happen to them in their lives, like being made redundant, being widowed, domestic abuse, a partner walking out etc. 🙄
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Big day ahead . Bereavement support visit from our community nurse who was with us from the beginning to the end, finally registering Pete’s death at mid day, then a meeting with the funeral director to make arrangements.
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Wide awake at 5, still buzzing. We didn’t quite know what to do with ourselves after this phone call. We know it doesn’t change the end of the story, but it means there will be more chapters than we expected. Every day together is precious.
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Thanks to everyone who has sent condolence cards and messages, we’re overwhelmed at the outpouring of love, and your support is keeping us going in these dark times.
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I suppose now is as good a time as any to share my birthday news, I’ve resigned my current positions so I can concentrate on my new role as special EY advisor to the education secretary. It’s been a devil of a job to keep it quiet.
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In the midst of all the sadness we’re still finding positive moments. Back in July we were told not to expect Pete to be here now. Today we booked a night away in one of our favourite places.
#AttitudeofGratitude
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There we have it. Nothing to do with concern for children “falling behind”.
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@PaulGarvey4
@peter_swailes
Thanks Paul. We’re all going to be donning our
#SocksForSwailes
later. It will be a hard day but I hope it’s filled with happy memories and that we do him proud x
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I’ve come to the studio to pick up some post and I’ve discovered a set of mugs waiting to be fired. It’s so weird finding things just how he left them when he walked out to go to his Drs appointment in June 2021.💔
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Johnson states that opening schools is safe as long as we socially distance. His Government’s own guidance states that it is not possible to socially distance.
#MixedMessages
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Pete had a really rough night but has got progressively more comfortable as the day went on, I’ve been sitting with him and showing him
#socksforswailes
throughout the day, and your thoughtfulness has really cheered us both. He’s sporting this pair today.
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Thanks to the wonderful funeral director we’re getting things moving. I now have a date for Pete’s funeral. Wednesday 8th June, 11.10am at Chesterfield crematorium followed by a wake
@ChandlersBar
. If anyone would like to attend let me know. Pete and I discussed his funeral at
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Personally speaking I’d rather pay the 2% and have decent services than have £450 in my pocket. That won’t cover the dental and health insurance I need because the NHS has been decimated under the current government.
EXCLUSIVE:
Jeremy Hunt will cut national insurance by 2 per cent in the Spring Budget tomorrow
It will cost £10bn and be worth £450 for the average worker. He will sell it as £900 worth of tax cuts when combined with 2 per cent NI cut in Autumn Statement
As per
@SamCoatesSky
…
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You’re doing today, whoever you’re with, tell them how much you love them, why you’re proud of them, how they’ve shaped your life and what they mean to you. It won’t hurt you and it will mean so much to them. Don’t wait, you won’t regret it, I’m sure.
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Happy Christmas! Thank you for your friendship, kindness and generosity.
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In all the excitement of the wedding on Thursday, we forgot to share that the oncologist gave Pete the go- ahead to try palliative chemotherapy again. We're back to Weston Park on Tuesday for a new picc line and treatment should start on Wednesday. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
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If Jonathan Gullis is the answer, heaven knows what the question is …
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Can’t think of anywhere I’d rather spend my first wedding anniversary without Pete. Feeling it a bit today.
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Lying by Pete’s side on the bed as he sleeps, I can see beautiful blue skies and the blossom just appearing on the trees. I’ve opened the window to hear the birds singling, it’s a gorgeous day out there. Happy Saturday everyone. Make the most of it!
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Glad it’s the end of term today and so is my youngest. School have been really supportive and absolutely brilliant but she is utterly exhausted. Grief is very tiring.
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Here's something from my 5am brain.
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Pete is being kept in on the EMU ward. He's on intravenous antibiotics and says he feels ok. We’re not allowed to visit but we’re in touch and he appreciates all your good wishes. Meanwhile my girls are making tea and we’re looking after each other. Thanks everyone for asking x
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I’ve visited 20 schools so far this term and led 9 training sessions. What I’m hearing and seeing is that this term is harder than ever, children and families need more support than ever before and the services we used to rely on just aren’t there. This can’t continue .
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Great news- we’re good to go. Round 2 of chemotherapy starts at 8.45 am tomorrow.
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“work desks can be distanced”. Have these people ever been in a nursery?
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Thread. Before you make sweeping statements about what people should and shouldn’t do, consider the effort required to deal with situations when you don’t know if you’ve enough money to heat your house, or feed your children. Before you say “libraries are free” (they’re not if
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Stuck nativity on, eldest commented, “that’s not realistic, where are all the piles of marking at home and how come that teacher has free time?”
You can tell she grew up with 2 teachers.
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Just looking through photos of the weekend. A lot seem to involve food. I know Pete would approve. He’d also be delighted that the girls love NYC as much as we did!
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I ❤️ our postie, whenever he’s delivering a parcel he always brings a bone shaped biscuit for Buttons and makes a fuss of him. He knocked on the door after Pete died to say how sorry he was and yesterday asked how I was doing as he handed these over. Kindness really does matter.
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It’s absolutely stunning how many men there are who never worked directly with sure start or accessed their services on a personal or professional level who are confident to tell those of us with direct experience both personally and professionally how wrong we are. 🤷♀️
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“If a child is not in school with a full belly, feeling safe and well equipped, it doesn’t matter what behaviour policy I have in place, it’s not going to help them.”
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Delighted to be able to share this - can’t wait for the launch on 1st July
@AaronEarlyYears
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I can’t imagine what life must be like for the people who’s idea of the worst thing possible is wearing a mask in a public place. I’d happily swap places with anyone who had that as their number one problem.
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Children don’t tend to learn much when they’re starving.
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£8 million pounds. We’ve got staff and families needing food bank vouchers. Read the room.
👑 Schools have been invited to request a free portrait of King Charles III under a government scheme costing £8 million
Delivery of the A3 photo, printed on 'high quality paper' and mounted in a 'FSC certified oak' frame, will take place next spring
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@flyingdavy
@DanielWBmouth
Please don’t hate you. You did the right thing to keep everyone safe. Anyone who defends that man’s actions is insulting the hundreds of people like you who were in this terrible situation and did the right thing. I’m sorry for your loss. Be kind to yourself.
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Raising a glass to my brother in law who died on Christmas Eve. Forever 46. Life is short and precious. Live it.
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GCSEs are now officially completed and H has left school. Sincere thanks to her teachers who have been amazing, and the legendary Mr Cliff, her head of house
who has supported her so well through a tough couple of years.
#ProudMum
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We’d like minimum service levels from
@educationgovuk
. Buildings that aren’t dangerous, accountants who don’t make whopping mistakes and civil servants who don’t spend their time monitoring tweets but instead focus on what really matters. A competent minister would be great!
Last year, school strikes resulted in 25 million school days being lost cumulatively.
Children should not have to suffer a repeat of this disruption.
I’m announcing that we will introduce minimum service levels in schools so that pupils get the education they need and deserve.
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Thanks for all the
#socksforswailes
. Things are challenging here but it’s so good to know you’re thinking of us x
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“Husband of murdered woman” ? Surely the word you were looking for was, “murderer” ?
The husband of murdered Epsom College head Emma Pattison had a failed wine business and dreamed of 'doing something better' with his life
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Still think that you’re doing the right thing by continuing to inspect next week when it’s so obvious that full reform is necessary then I’m afraid I’ve no respect for you. The system is destroying lives and if you carry on as if nothing has happened, you’re part of the problem.
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Spent the day putting the photographs for the wake together and selecting some fine whiskeys from Pete's collection to share with friends to raise a toast.
Just putting the finishing touches to the playlist. A chat with the celebrant tomorrow then there's nothing left to do.
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That’s the wake all sorted. It’s made such a difference knowing what Pete wants and having the wake in a place where the staff knew Pete well and counted him as a friend. It isn’t easy to talk about these things but I’m so glad we did.
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Our timelines are full of
#socksforswailes
and we can’t thank you enough. It’s tough at the moment but knowing you’re all rooting for us and showing your support and solidarity makes a huge difference.
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1.For a young child, just sitting still for a prolonged period of time can cause quite a lot of cognitive load. We probably don't realise this as adults, because we've developed core strength and proprioception but if you imagine being asked to listen to something new for an hour
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Saturdays are usually really tricky, but for the last 2 Saturdays I’ve laughed so much that it made my belly ache! I don’t feel guilty about it, because I know Pete wanted me to live my life to the full after he died. I will miss him forever, but there’s still joy to be found.
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