The Mark Scheme

The Mark Scheme

@themarkscheme.bsky.social

Mark. North East England Maths teacher. https://themarkscheme.co.uk Here for education, maths, whisky, F1, data science, politics, vibes, and cheese recommendations.

513 followers296 following325 posts

The Mark Scheme
@themarkscheme.bsky.social

Experiences of this week has made me appreciate the national curriculum and externally assessed qualifications even more than I already did. Some countries seem to have zero consistency. Seemingly 'equivalent' students in study and achievement that are so laughably different.

The Mark Scheme
@themarkscheme.bsky.social

For all the talk of the best schools and the worst schools in our system, and the issues with exam marking accuracy, at least what our students achieve, we can be assured of reasonable consistency. Even when comparing students from the 'very best' and the 'very worst' schools.

The Mark Scheme reposted

The Mark Scheme
@themarkscheme.bsky.social

We need to stop talking about Michaela: It's now time for 'what next'? The name's a bit clickbaity. There's been some fallout since I wrote most of this, so want to clarify there is zero negativity towards the school, it has sustained excellence - we just need to look beyond. LINK IN 3RD POST

The Mark Scheme
@themarkscheme.bsky.social

We need to stop talking about Michaela: It's now time for 'what next'? The name's a bit clickbaity. There's been some fallout since I wrote most of this, so want to clarify there is zero negativity towards the school, it has sustained excellence - we just need to look beyond. LINK IN 3RD POST

The Mark Scheme
@themarkscheme.bsky.social

Social class indicator. Are you “exceptionally brilliant”, “fearless” and “one of a kind”, or a “joker”, “salt of the earth” and do you “love your mum”? /’satire’ or something

The Mark Scheme reposted

The Mark Scheme
@themarkscheme.bsky.social

Link in next post. Please read, please share. A big read with some data, perspectives and justifications I've not seen elsewhere, such as KS4 as a lead to KS5. 1. Is it ‘actually’ going to be a dramatic change to curriculum? 2. Does a school need to focus on Regional Needs? ...

The Mark Scheme
@themarkscheme.bsky.social

Sam has much more knowledge of the political world, I understand the skepticism (I have some of it as well), but I still don't foresee it being as hard a split as many envisage. On average a student ends up with 7.8 GCSEs, the core curriculum in the announcement accounts for around 5 or 6 still.

Sam Freedman@samfr.bsky.social

New post just out: "Burnham's first mistake" Splitting 14 year olds into academic and vocational paths seems intuitive. But it's a terrible idea that risks increasing inequality, and closing down options for the young people that need them most. (£/free trial) open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/b...

open.substack.comBurnham's first mistakeThe problem with his education plan
The Mark Scheme
@themarkscheme.bsky.social

Sam has much more knowledge of the political world, I understand the skepticism (I have some of it as well), but I still don't foresee it being as hard a split as many envisage. On average a student ends up with 7.8 GCSEs, the core curriculum in the announcement accounts for around 5 or 6 still.

Sam Freedman@samfr.bsky.social

New post just out: "Burnham's first mistake" Splitting 14 year olds into academic and vocational paths seems intuitive. But it's a terrible idea that risks increasing inequality, and closing down options for the young people that need them most. (£/free trial) open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/b...

open.substack.comBurnham's first mistakeThe problem with his education plan
The Mark Scheme
@themarkscheme.bsky.social

In the fallout, conversation has swung to vocations and what are thought of as ‘trades’, but they aren't what make the announcement. Could it become that, of course, but those roles are generally self filling without intervention. The labour market focus suggests this is trying to do something else.

The Mark Scheme
@themarkscheme.bsky.social

I'm a nobody in FE who has an unhealthy obsession with the structures of education. My perceptions are likely skewed by what I see in FE, but I do think there does need to be tweaks in the system as the continuous shuffling and changing at KS5 in isolation isn't getting the desired results.

The Mark Scheme
@themarkscheme.bsky.social

Link in next post. Please read, please share. A big read with some data, perspectives and justifications I've not seen elsewhere, such as KS4 as a lead to KS5. 1. Is it ‘actually’ going to be a dramatic change to curriculum? 2. Does a school need to focus on Regional Needs? ...

The Mark Scheme
@themarkscheme.bsky.social

1/2 #edusky in education we have a real problem with deciding “words” are bad and not what they actually represent. So we have people kicking off at universities trying to support students to navigate the different types of resources that are available to them

The Mark Scheme
@themarkscheme.bsky.social

...because they happen to say the words “learning style” on a webpage. Whilst many are lining up and raving about an institution that says “we are now identifying the best resource for each kid” as the future of schooling. 2/2

The Mark Scheme
@themarkscheme.bsky.social

Two tier ____ (fill in the blank) lands well, and part of it is because people can just use it where they perceive that someone else other than them is the benefactor of something. A perfect voxpop for stirring anger, and a quick label to justify a viewpoint without rationale.

The Mark Scheme
@themarkscheme.bsky.social

Some thought around the Millburn review 1) How will NEET young people cost the UK £125billion? 2) Is the situation getting worse? Is it unique? 3) Are 27 non-EU under 25’s hired for every young brit since 2020? 4) Is the report critical of schools? themarkscheme.co.uk/milburn-misc... #edusky

themarkscheme.co.ukThe Milburn Review - Misconceptions arising from the interim report into NEET young people - The Mark SchemeWe’re reviewing a number of misconceptions that have stemmed from the Milburn Review’s interim report
The Mark Scheme
@themarkscheme.bsky.social

I NEED A MUSIC REC. Working on a project, full day at a PC, headphones in, avoid distraction. Efficiency is vital! I want some atmospheric/drone music similar to Eluvium. Tone is very important. As a lot of the stuff I've tried that algorithms throw up is far too "harsh". Serenity is key. Any ideas?

The Mark Scheme reposted

Kit Yates
@kityates.bsky.social

Lucy Bronze on how she decided to blast her penalty down the middle (and score). “Statistically it’s risky for the goal keeper to stand still… so yeah, I love maths”.

The Mark Scheme
@themarkscheme.bsky.social

I hate the heat, the only redeeming quality is it leads to what me and my partner call "Nigel Slater teas". Inspired by his recurring theme of just having desserts for a main meal. Tonight is vanilla cheesecake and strawberries for tea. Perfect.

The Mark Scheme
@themarkscheme.bsky.social

This! I just want a maths specialist from Edexcel to show me Q11 (P1) and Q9 (P2) and tell me that this was by design, and why literally anything else from that topic area was ignored in favour of this approach. I'll give them a fiver if they can maintain the belief in their voice.

Susan Whitehouse@susanwhitehouse.bsky.social

Call me cynical, but I don't believe them and think there has been a massive screw-up somewhere...

The Mark Scheme
@themarkscheme.bsky.social

Not a good year but picked up a little bit. Windows95 man would have cleaned up here! Finland or Germany to win for me. Didn't dislike Italy, France, Albania, Denmark or Sweden. No standouts really. Normally a couple songs make the Spotify playlist I update through the year, not this year!