Katie Pollard

Teacher, HOD, NPQSL, Lean Practitioner. Now at UON. Acapella singer, arranger and director. Pianist. Mum of 2 + Dotty dog. Views my own.

[Katie Pollard @takepi21]

I’ve moved to Threads.

[Susie Dent @susie_dent]

Word of the day is ‘recrudescence’ (17th century): the return of something terrible after a time of reprieve.

[Daisy Christodoulou @daisychristo]

In 2013, I wrote a book about educational myths.

I *didn't* include learning styles. Why?

Because even in 2013, so much research had already been published showing they were bunk. Didn't feel worth me going over it all again.

It's now 2024. What's in @TheEconomist ?

[Fermat's Library @fermatslibrary]

2¹³⁶²⁷⁹⁸⁴¹−1, discovered today, is the largest known prime. It's a Mersenne prime (2ᵖ-1), which are easier to find.

It took nearly 6 years for the GIMPS software to find it after the previous largest known prime. It was also the first Mersenne prime found using GPUs.

[Katie Pollard @takepi21]

@zandor_trout @AlexisFfrench @bbcstrictly @BBCOne The Heart Asks Pleasure First (Michael Nyman). It’s from a beautiful New Zealand film called The Piano.

[Katie Pollard @takepi21]

@AlexisFfrench @bbcstrictly @BBCOne I’m fascinated with your choice of piece. Why not play one of your own?

[Katie Pollard @takepi21]

@MAFShysteria “Do it now, apologise later” is an incredibly weak argument. I’ve enjoyed your podcast in previous seasons and recall a conversation reflecting on misjudging or misunderstanding neurodivergence. It’s week 1. You still have time to have a more positive impact on your audience.

[Adam Boxer @adamboxer1]

The first job of any incoming head of department is to do...nothing.

Take your time. Figure things out. Don't rock the boat until you've identified the thing that really needs changing.

That applies to anything: booklets, T&L, starters, homework platform, admin...whatever.

[Katie Pollard @takepi21]

@jshmtn We used them with success but as I’ve left I can’t access one now. Was half that price at the time! Needs 15min a day dedicated 1-2-1. Useful if Yr3/4 key skills / concepts / knowledge are not fluid. Most success for us with student at or nr secondary ready boundary on entry.

[Tube Map Central @TubeMapCentral]

After eleven years, it's time to update my London Underground concentric-circles-and-spokes map. Completely redrawn from centre to edges, it's so much better than before, and more geographically accurate than the official map.

[Dr Rachel Clarke @doctor_oxford]

A riot is not a protest.

A racist is not an activist.

A thug is not a patriot.

Far right extremism is precisely that.

Words matter.

Why are some in the media refusing to use them accurately?

[Katie Pollard @takepi21]

@MichaelRosenYes Wow! Any idea what the cream was that my grandma had in a tiny tin, that was applied to splinters (‘spells’), covered with a dressing and the spell would come out on its own?

[Jim Dickinson @jim_dickinson]

Nothing. Literally nothing annoys me more in this sector than this. A thread.

[Katie Pollard @takepi21]

@missradders My niece will be there later in the week, adoring the cows while her proud mum looks on. I love that she’s followed her dream and become a young farmer.

[Katie Pollard @takepi21]

@RestIsPolitics Rushcliffe!!! I’m so happy 😀

[The Labour Party @UKLabour]

Is this what you want to see at 10pm tomorrow?

Change will only happen if you vote for it.

[Jamie Clark @XpatEducator]

📒 Barak Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction offers 10 evidence-based strategies that all teachers should know based on key research from cognitive science and research on master teachers. This poster outlines the lot!

👊 REPOST and grab a free HQ copy here: https://t.co/Xj2XpPGvnu

[James Lucas @JamesLucasIT]

Thread on alternative views of iconic landmarks you (probably) haven’t seen before 🧵

1. The worn steps of the Tower of Pisa

[Krishnan Guru-Murthy @krishgm]

Even the Queen didn't have Sky TV for a while. I once discussed this with her briefly at a Buckingham Palace media reception many years ago and (its a long story) she told me how difficult she found it trying to record one programme on her video recorder whilst watching another! I told her she should get Sky+ but we didn't think she'd be allowed to put a satellite dish on the roof