A round up of some of my favourite posts so far this year

I was going to that thing where you round-up some of your favourite blog posts in the hope of getting a few more hits, but couldn't muster the enthusiasm. Instead, I thought I'd rip off some of the best posts I've read this year from some of the most interesting education bloggers out there. It's by no means a definitive list; I haven't spent much time honing it - these are just some of the posts I've enjoyed most so far this year. Maybe you'll like them too.

They are in no particular order.

More WHAT less HOW – or ‘your shepherds pie requires improvement’ - @HeatherBellaF

On the pernicious silliness that is lesson grades, and how this gets in the way of children's education.

RAISEonline is contemptible RUBBISH - @Jack_Marwood 

A blistering critique of RAISE online and its widespread abuse. Eye-opening!

Securing Headship as a Member of SLT - @kevbartle

Kev's gripping post-mortem of his successful bid to ascend the iron throne of Canon's High School.

This much I know about…why I agree absolutely with Michael Gove - @johntomsett

Few bloggers write with the authority and power of John Tomsett when he's got the bit between his teeth and a full head of steam. This one's on equality of opportunity in education and it's dead right.

A toast to the death of pedagogy - @Turnfordblog

The anonymous blogger behind Evidence into Practice has, for me, got the balance exactly right between confirming some of my fondest biases and provoking me with new and interesting perspectives. This one is about professional expertise and is close to my heart.

Why national curriculum levels need replacing - @daisychristo

A useful for heuristic for making sure we're not barking up the wrong tree when it comes to replacing NC levels which I found invaluable when writing this post.

The 51 year Lesson Plan - @surrealanarchy

Martin Robinson's blog is filled with sparklingly understated essays on some of the lesser traversed paths in education - this one gently chides the hubris that suggests anyone can plan a worthwhile lesson in minutes.

The Opposite of Boring - @websofsubstance

You could accuse Harry, with some justice, of writing the same post again and again. His forensic attempts to describe and dismiss progressive education are irritating for some, but always well-written and clearly argued.

The Truthiness of it all (and why three men make a tiger) - @JamesTheo

After many months of thinking and watching from the sidelines, James Theobold's new blog has burst on to the blogging scene with an energy and wisdom that has been a delight. Truthiness was new to me and very relevant for anyone hooked, as I am, on Twitter.

Motivation and instruction - @Joe__Kirby

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Joe is a very clever chap. He has a real gift for filleting and synthesising research from an array of fields and has recently started in on the pop-psychology of motivation.

'Not Rolling the Dice' - in praise of safe teaching - @tomboulter

There are often long gaps in between Tom's blogs - that's because he waits until he has something worth saying. Here he turns his back on gimmickry and showmanship and embraces a quieter, safer style of teaching.

Shouting - @TStrarkey

Thomas Starkey's  blog is possibly the funniest, most concise and  best written out there. Here he extols the joy of shouting.

Being the 1% - what does it take to make CPD effective? - @HFletcherWood

Harry writes with such clarity, patience and attention to detail that I feel I can actually picture his classroom. This post on how he has led CPD is truly essential for anyone else wanting to tread a similar path.

And just in case you're interested, and because I can never resist a little bit of self-promotion, my most popular post this year is The Cult of Outstanding.

These are my favourites. You must make your own list.

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