I seem to have upset the @Nigel_Farage fan club - so let me be clear. This man sows hate, lies and division. He is a grifter and a conman. He does not represent the vast majority of Britons. RT if you agree P.s. multiculturalism is great.

"I’m 79. My name’s Agnes. I walk to Oakwood Elementary every Tuesday and Thursday at 2:45 p.m. Not for my grandkids, I don’t have any. I go for them. The kids waiting for parents who are late. Again. It started three years ago. I saw Miguel sitting alone on the school’s concrete steps, tracing math problems in the dirt with a stick. His mom worked double shifts at the canning factory. His homework was smudged with tears. I didn’t say much. Just pulled a folding chair from my tote bag (I carry it everywhere, bad knees) and sat beside him. "Show me where you’re stuck, mijo," I said. He flinched like I’d startled a bird. But he showed me. I was a teacher for 42 years. Fractions, state capitals, how to hold a pencil, I know them like my own heartbeat. That day, we solved 3 problems in the dirt. When his mom finally rushed up, breathless and apologizing, I just nodded. "He’s got a good mind," I told her. Her eyes got wet. Not from sadness. From being seen. Next week, I brought my old teacher’s stool and a clipboard. Set up under the oak tree across from the school gates. No sign. No fanfare. Just me, my red pen, and a jar of butterscotch candies. Kids started coming. Not all at once. First Miguel. Then Aisha, whose dad’s truck broke down again. Jamal, who whispered, "My grandma’s sick." I never asked why parents were late. I just opened my clipboard. Some days, I only helped one child. Other days, five crowded around my stool. I taught multiplication tables while braiding Maya’s hair. Showed Leo how to write his name in cursive on a foggy window. Never took money. Never called the school. This wasn’t their job. It was ours. Then came Mrs. Chen. She stood at the edge of the sidewalk for weeks, watching her daughter Linh hover near my bench but never approach. One rainy Thursday, Mrs. Chen finally walked over. Her hands shook. "I failed school," she admitted in broken English. "I can’t help her." I slid my stool aside. "Sit," I said. "Today, you do the math. I’ll hold the umbrella." Last month, the principal found me packing up in the rain. "We’ve had complaints," he said gently. "About ‘unauthorized tutoring.’" I braced for the end. But then Linh ran over, dragging her mother. Aisha brought her little brother. Miguel stood tall beside his mom, the one who once cried on the steps. Twelve parents and kids formed a circle around my soggy stool. "This bench stays," Miguel told the principal. "Or we all leave." Today, the PTA provides the folding chairs. Retired nurses check kids’ ears for infections. A barber gives free trims. But the homework bench? That’s still mine. Last Tuesday, Linh placed a college acceptance letter on my clipboard. "You taught me numbers," she said. "But you taught Mama something bigger." She pointed to Mrs. Chen, now helping a boy sound out words. "You taught us we’re not broken." I packed up my red pen that night, my hands steady for the first time in years. Here’s what nobody tells you about growing old, The world doesn’t need your savings or your spare room. It needs your stubborn, ordinary love. Show up. Sit down. Make space. The rest will grow around you like wildflowers through concrete.” Let this story reach more hearts.... By Mary Nelson

Really interesting. How does this relate to our Curriculum Improvement Cycle in Scotland?

Just when you thought you were ‘done’? Naw, ye arenas! New display coming on a treat. We are never ‘done’ with our learning! #fastfinisher #BGE #Senior

It's here! Say hello to yattle, a youth-focused recruitment app transforming how you connect with early talent. Built by young people and employers - launched by @Glasgow_Chamber & Glasgow Futures. 🔗 yattle.co.uk

Say hello to yattle, a youth-focused recruitment app transforming how you connect with early talent. @DYWGlasgow - support @GlasgowCC young people #TowardsBetterFutures @TBF_Glasgow 👇

“Checklists seem lowly and and simplistic, but they help fill the gaps in our brains and between our brains.” Atul Gawande Superb working with headteachers on a raising attainment checklist. Happy to share checklist with others and offer a free consultation on its use.

Working with headteachers mentioning they work every Saturday and Sunday. Unhealthy, unsustainable,not good for families. I can help you to leadwithout having to work like this. Email or DM for a free workload chat. #healthyleaders Gerryconsultancy@outlook.com

High Challenge, Low Threat If we are serious about an ambitious curriculum, then we need to start here. With challenge. Not challenge for the sake of it. Not challenge that overwhelms or humiliates. But challenge that stretches. /1

Great end to the week. Working with aspiring Middle Leaders in Holyrood yesterday and Middle Leaders in the Royal High today. So many good people. #leadinginthemiddle

To middle leaders: what do you do which has the biggest impact on your team’s effectiveness?

One thing I couldn’t do headteachering without? My wife and family. In a job which can be so very lonely at times, a support network outside school is so vital.

If I can support you in any way on your journey, just drop me a note on here or at Gerryconsultancy@outlook.com

And “A fresh perspective and a level of insight and challenge for us that provided real impetus for further improvement”

Another headteacher refleftion “Gerry brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in relation to all aspects of self-evaluation and school improvement. All found the process to be incredibly useful as well as enjoyable and inspiring. We now have a far clearer plan for next steps”

First headteacher reflection “I would recommend schools who are considering changes to their curriculum to use Gerry. he will carry out a robust evaluation and his insight and knowledge of current educational issues will help focus your improvement.”

As you prepare for this session’s self-evaluation and school improvement planning, I wanted to share some reflections from headteachers I supported last session. Their feedback highlights the kind of impact we can achieve together:

And another “I have challenged staff in a supportive manner to be more consistent with our values and practice. Before this programme, I have occasionally accepted some staff do things better than others. I have changed my mindset about that.”

More Middle Leader comment “ I have taken a different approach with staff - really trying to listen, realising that people don’t need to agree with me, having different opinions helps us think and grow, hugely influential to me as faculty head.”

Just sharing some evaluation from Middle Leaders in schools about the Middle Leaders programme: “The programme has helped me to develop strong relationships across the faculty to allow me to introduce 3 new course to improve outcomes”