Martin Saunders

Co-founder & CEO @EdShed / @EdShedUS. Primary teacher. Chair of Governors @bewdleyprimary. Owner at Three Points Martial Arts. Science PhD. Nerd.

[Warwick Mansell @warwickmansell]

New: Individuals linked to companies which won contracts to support DfE’s English Hubs initiative continued to serve on its overarching council – despite government document warnings on potential conflicts of interest
https://t.co/aFxZfdUrkO

[Martin Saunders @MartinGSaunders]

This is scandalous really. English hubs advise on (and sometimes allegedly force) adoption of phonics schemes. The body behind these has a huge majority of people from two products, which then become adopted by the vast majority of schools, making Collins & OUP what, £50m or so?

[Warwick Mansell @warwickmansell]

Exclusive: A “closed shop”? Phonics advisory group to Department for Education dominated by individuals linked to products offered by just two companies
https://t.co/2yXma6Jbr5
DfE finally reveals names of people on its English Hubs Council, following my FOI challenge.

[Warwick Mansell @warwickmansell]

Exclusive: A “closed shop”? Phonics advisory group to Department for Education dominated by individuals linked to products offered by just two companies
https://t.co/2yXma6Jbr5
DfE finally reveals names of people on its English Hubs Council, following my FOI challenge.

[Warwick Mansell @warwickmansell]

Although the DfE have refused, under FOI, to reveal the names of those sitting on its English Hubs Council, which provides advice on the £100m English Hubs initiative, it is clear from public statements that five people with links to Little Wandle have served there.

[Martin Saunders @MartinGSaunders]

@RckZevap @mercury After eight days one compliance person said it was all fine and another that there was no document. It’s unlocked now at least. Call booked with HSBC later.

[Martin Saunders @MartinGSaunders]

Hey @mercury you have locked our account despite your compliance people saying you wouldn’t. You take days to respond yet give very little extra to address issues. You have a bunch of our money, I’ve forwarded documents and need the account reactivated immediately if not before.

[Martin Saunders @MartinGSaunders]

The thing I struggle with is how the DfE has managed these potential conflicts of interest. If the same people are planning a tender as applying for it, how are they “avoiding prior knowledge” as the public sector procurement regulations require? Should be transparent at least.

[Debbie Hepplewhite MBE FRSA @debbiehepp]

I wonder @charlotteraby @LettersSounds @educationgovuk @GOVUK if you would explain to the teaching profession and public the 'business entity' for the SSP programme Little Wandle that you repeatedly claim is 'not for profit' but which makes millions in - profit @warwickmansell.

[Warwick Mansell @warwickmansell]

New: DfE refuses to release the names of people sitting on body advising it on £100m phonics policy – arguing that they would have expected their identities to be kept secret
https://t.co/tVgJPS1OuR

[Warwick Mansell @warwickmansell]

Exclusive, I think: Phonics providers alleging “favouritism” in DfE training contract award – with government pledging to investigate cases of hubs pressurising schools towards particular products
https://t.co/XECARuJXh9

[Martin Saunders @MartinGSaunders]

What I don’t understand is how a product that is just three years old commands so much trust and confidence, let alone cash. At least RWI has time in its side.

[Warwick Mansell @warwickmansell]

New: Small multi-academy trust gains £4.6 million in a single year from phonics product
https://t.co/HjjzYA6FkS
Piece on the Wandle Learning Trust, which has received £8m in three years from the Little Wandle programme it developed with Little Sutton primary school.

[Warwick Mansell @warwickmansell]

New: Small multi-academy trust gains £4.6 million in a single year from phonics product
https://t.co/HjjzYA6FkS
Piece on the Wandle Learning Trust, which has received £8m in three years from the Little Wandle programme it developed with Little Sutton primary school.

[Debbie Hepplewhite MBE FRSA @debbiehepp]

Foundational Literacy instruction in England: Government education departments never tested Playing With Sounds, Progression in Phonics, Early Literacy Support, Letters and Sounds - and now the DfE has promoted Little Wandle which is apparently in 5,000 schools - untested.

[WensumEnglishHub @WensumEngHub]

We are proud to support so many schools using different validated schemes.
If schools would like advice choosing a scheme right for your setting and funding, then please complete one of our self referral forms
https://t.co/8O1T8IE7gz
#phonics #funding #reading #schools

[Lucy 👩🏻‍🏫 ☀️ 🌊 ☕️ 🍔 🍷🇪🇺 🌍 @LuEliz1989]

An enormous thank you to @redgierob & @MartinGSaunders from @SpellingShed for joining me this evening on the @TTRadioOfficial Late Show. It was a delight to chat with you. Thank you for all your insights into the wonderful world of spelling!

[Tom Rogers @RogersHistory]

"We haven't got time in schools - our school system doesn't give the time to teach spelling and phonics properly" @MartinGSaunders @SpellingShed @TTRadioOfficial https://t.co/Wd7EfWRuyN

[Murdishaw West @murdishawwest]

Year 5 are using @SpellingShed to help them learn some ambitious vocabulary to use in their writing. #MWCPWrite #MWCPSpell 🐝

[@alexgnewmedia @alexgnewmedia]

On the #WorldBookDay, i celebrate the enduring magic of books with this experimental short video created with AI. Words transformed into video! That speaks a lot about the power of words! Made using Runway ML Gen-2 video #Gen2 from @runwayml and #midjourney

[EdShed 🐝 @edshed]

EdShed Co-founder & CEO, Martin Saunders, will be speaking at #Bett2023 @Bett_show

If you are attending and would like to meet one of our team for a coffee and a chat, please DM us or email [email protected]

 #BettUK #Bett23 #BestBettEver

[Martin Saunders @MartinGSaunders]

@imagineinquiry I’d move from an accountability system to a support system. Far too much time and good people lost to a presumption of incompetence.