English As It Should Be

I think I’ve reached out to every teacher I know but in case I missed anyone (or if I have missed another relevant/interested sector) Alan Bissett, the author and playwright, has been in touch and was wondering if schools (or other relevant sectors) would be interested in a talk based around consent/boundaries, centering to teenage boys. He’s literally just wanting to know if this is something Scottish schools would be interested in as he’s had a lot of interest from English schools and wondered if any Scottish schools would be interested in more information. I said I’d pass on the info to teachers I know to gauge a reaction. Please reach out if you’d like more info.

The dates and times for the 2024 exams have been released. Get them in your diary.

It’s official, I’m right about Shakespeare. 😜

Here’s a selection of the incredible results that came in this year. I’m so proud of each of my incredible and hard working pupils. I’m so full of joy.

Just to say my lovely pupils. I can see your messages and your amazingly results but I can’t reply to your texts or emails due to an issue with roaming. I can WhatsApp and access Facebook but that’s about the only thing it’s letting me do on the resort wifi. One or two of you think I am ignoring you and that’s not the case.

So far we’ve got straight As coming in and two Bs from pupils who made incredible improvements. Just so people know, due to roaming issues I can only reply to WhatsApp messages but I have seen your results and I am beyond proud of all of you!!!

After a difficult few weeks I’m off on holiday. So before I leave I want to wish the best of luck to my wonderful, talented pupils as they receive their exam results. I’m thinking of you all.

A year ago today we lost my friend and incredible English tutor, Alex. You are so sorely missed.

Please all think of Alex 🩵

1 year today 😔

Oh Lord, it appears the name "Twitter" will no longer make sense. I am not convinced that Musk has a sound grasp of the English language.

Twitter unveils X logo to replace blue bird

This is brilliant! Words are fun.

I was speaking about this today. It’s fascinating and most native speakers are completely unaware of the fact they do this.

Romeo needed to chill.

Poetry is wonderful.

It is the dream of all book lovers to have this but in their own house.

Yeah Stephen!!!

The Oxford Comma is fast becoming my favourite punctuation mark.

If only.

Laughing too hard at this.

Nailed it Billy.

The sweetest words from a lovely family. So happy.

There’s something truly inspiring about this. You DO NOT need to be the best at everything. You DO need to try and show up for your team and for yourself.

Shot putter runs 100m hurdles for sake of team

Now is the best time to start planning for and researching your persuasive folio essays. However, please do better than this 😂

I received the most beautiful gifts from a family this weekend. I’m floored by their kindness.

This made me laugh so hard. 😂

English As It Should Be will be getting a new member of the team. Forbes will have a little sister, Effie, to join our sessions (she’s the bigger pup). 🥰

An author respected by many.

US author Cormac McCarthy dies aged 89 Cormac McCarthy, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Road, dies aged 89, publisher says.

Aww shucks. 🥰

I am proud of all of my pupils. However, when I saw this I cried. An incredible pupil who came to me thinking they couldn’t do English was recognised by their school for their progress and achievement.

Until the SQA exams your faithful English tutor is working 8am till 10pm Monday to Sunday to ensure you are all fully prepared. As a result, on the 10th May this will be my headstone…

This photo is about ten years old now but it makes me laugh. This was the Valentine’s Day I was given a shallot by a pupil because “Mum was out of onions.” all because we were studying Carol Ann Duffy.

The first day of SQA exams is almost over and I know that many of you will be feeling exhausted. I just want you to know that you can do this. You are capable of more than you believe.

start tomorrow! A massive good luck to all learners - almost 130,000 of you will take National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher exams in the coming weeks.

Here's next week's timetable - you can find more resources at https://bit.ly/SQA-learnerhub

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🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Deuchainnean SQA a tòiseachadh a màireach! Gur math a thèid leibh uile – bidh faisg air 130,000 agaibh a suidhe Nàiseanta 5, Àrd- Ìre agus Àrd- Ìre Adhartach anns na seachdainnean a tha romhainn.

Seo clàr-ama an t-seachdain sa tighinn – faigh tuilleadh ghoireasan aig https://bit.ly/SQA-learnerhub

I did my probation year teaching at Braes. What a lovely story.

Former Braes High pupil Emily Fyffe qualifies as Norland Nanny and lands dream NYC job Emily Fyffe is delighted to have proved the doubters wrong who said she would never be able to train for her dream job.

I try really hard to be there for my pupils and their parents. So many people are struggling in ways we don’t understand and often kindness and understanding is all that is needed. This lovely parent made my day.

Be honest, who’s identifying with this? Exams on the 9th and 10th of May and these can’t be postponed. You’ve got this people!

Conversation with pupil this evening:
Pupil - “My Maths tutor cancelled our session as he’s away for his birthday.”
Me - “But the exams are in a month! Know what I’m doing on my birthday? Teaching! Because until those exams pupils come first.”

I need to remember to have a life. But realistically I can’t say no to my pupils. You want every ounce of my energy? Take it and then some. I love you guys! You’re almost there.

Unacceptable April Fools - casually telling me you aren’t taking Higher English when you’re on track for an A. I’m too gullible and I almost cried.

One of my old Advanced Higher pupils now studies Law at University and from time to time I get beautiful messages like this. They fill my heart with joy. Advanced Higher is not purely a subject for those who want to pursue English at university it’s a subject for those who want to advance all of their writing and analytical skills. I am so proud to have been part of this journey.

The myth that Scotland’s education standards are slipping is very sad. Our young people are incredible and proven leaders.

https://glasgowstandard.com/2022/02/17/watch-new-studies-show-that-scotland-is-the-most-educated-country-in-europe/?fbclid=IwAR3NlJp7g55Mfqmrxe9Bsjb5kWuLgHqiSyVyLZOKM5g2HdSJIx5rD81FD_U #:~:text=country%20in%20Europe-,WATCH%3A%20New%20studies%20show%20that%20Scotland%20is,most%20educated%20country%20in%20Europe&text=Scotland%20has%20the%20highest%20educated,according%20to%20a%20recent%20study.&text=and%20Sabrina%20Sigler-,Scotland%20has%20the%20highest%20educated%20population%20in,according%20to%20a%20recent%20study.

WATCH: New studies show that Scotland is the most educated country in Europe - Glasgow Standard Scotland has the highest educated population in Europe, according to a recent study.

Anyone feeling like this with the exams approaching? Never fear, you’re going to be okay.

Obviously...