Sam Evans

A huge swathe of dark pink magnolia flowers clustered across the branches of a tree with clear blue sky behind

A fan of delicate light pink magnolia flowers on a tree with bright blue sky behind

A close-up of dark pink magnolia flowers clustered on the bare branches of a tree with light blue sky behind

White and pink magnolia flowers on a small magnolia tree on a grassy lawn covered with yellow daffodils

Just a shout out to magnolias. Aren't they the most magnificent blooms?

Thanks for sharing the Oxford Children's BBC 500 Words Language Report! It's fascinating insight into what 5-11 year olds choose to write about and the language they use... we all need more capybaras in our lives! #BBC500Words

capybara, wikimedia commons, Karoly Lorenty, CC BY 2.0

Children are writing about capybaras more than ever, according to Oxford University Press. The annual Children's Language report is compiled from 500-word stories sent into the BBC. 'Book', 'comic' and 'novel' all appear more than in 2015, while 'Kindle' is down 77%.

corp.oup.com/feature/oxfo...

My photo shows a museum display with colourful Minoan pottery cups arranged on three clear shelves, one above the other. These cups, known as Kamares Ware, are from Phaistos, Crete. They were made in palace workshops, c. 1800-1700 BC. The cups range in shape and size from conic and cylindrical cups (top and middle shelves) to hemispherical and carinated shaped cups (bottom shelf). They are decorated with multi-coloured geometric motifs; with spirals and swirls painted in red and white pigment on black.

Sipping my coffee ☕️ and thinking about these marvellous Minoan cups!

They look so modern it’s incredible to think they were made during the Bronze Age some 3,800 years ago!

Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Crete. 📷 by me

#Archaeology

Today I want to talk about Jess’ Rule and Martha’s Rule, two new initiatives across NHS England that I think are really important and you should know about.
Tl;dr: if your symptoms are not improving or getting worse, at home or in hospital, you have the right and Drs the responsibility to review.

#FridayFive are albums you don't think get enough love.
1. The Sun is Often Out. The Longpigs.
2. Baby I'm Bored. Evan Dando.
3. On. Echobelly.
4. Penguin Eggs. Nic Jones.
5. In the Aeroplane Over the Sea. Neutral Milk Hotel.

This #WorldBookDay, take a look at Tony Weston’s blog on reading across the MFL curriculum. A thoughtful reminder of how rich—and demanding—our subject is, with lots of practical classroom ideas. Highly recommended! @westontony.bsky.social @oupsecondary.bsky.social

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New From Oxford University Press and BBC: 500 #Words Children's #Language Report 2025 global.oup.com/education/pr... #AI #writing #libraries #books @oxfordunipress.bsky.social

A-Z List of Children’s Poets Working in the UK This is an A-Z list of children’s poets from the UK! US poets tag coming soon. If you are a published children’s poet working in schools and would like to be considered for inclusion, p…

Are you a teacher enjoying a visit from an author on this World Book Day? There are lots of working poets in the UK listed on my website. And if you are a working children's poet with a published book, get in touch if you aren't on the list! poetryroundabout.com/a-z-list-of-...

This is an interesting look at the words children choose in the BBC 500 Words stories.

Which topical words do you think were the most popular?

fdslive.oup.com/www.oup.com...

AI mentions in children's stories up by 50 per cent - Educate magazine New research by Oxford University Press (OUP) of children’s creative writing highlights a shift in how young people are writing about AI.

New research by Oxford University Press of over 46,500 children’s stories submitted to the BBC 500 Words competition highlights a shift in how young people are writing about AI with mentions up 50% on the previous year. #BBC500Words @oxunipress.bsky.social
www.educatemagazine.com/ai-mentions-...

@oxfordchildrens.bsky.social @literacy-trust.bsky.social @headteacherchat.bsky.social @librariesconnected.bsky.social @nationalbooktokens.bsky.social @publishersassoc.bsky.social @readingagency.bsky.social @worldbookdayuk.bsky.social

Text says BBC 500 Words Oxford Children's Language Report 2025 on a blue background. The cover of the OUP report analysing over 43,500 stories submitted to the competition by children age 5-11 in the UK in autumn 2025.

OUP analysed 46,500 stories submitted to the BBC 500 Words competition in 2025 by children aged 5-11 in the UK. This research offers fascinating insights into the themes children write about and the language they use. #BBC500Words Oxford Children's Language Report: fdslive.oup.com/www.oup.com/...

The new AQA GCSE MFL Foundation Writing has 5 tasks – students need to know exactly what to do to succeed. Use the Oxford Revise videos to guide them (and yourself!) through every part of the paper. Full video + all papers explained here:
url-shortener.me/DNGA

A black - white cartoon explaining the different ways sites get buried

It's really fabulous to wake up to 9k followers 😮🥳. Diolch yn Fawr / thank you everyone 🙏

As a thank you - here is my 1994 Toby the Trowel explainer: 'How Sites Get Buried' 🤔

Surely the most common question ever asked of an archaeologist in a trench..🧐🏺

📷 My own, from younger days

Want to show your students what the new AQA MFL GCSE exams look like but short on time—or just need a refresher? I’ve got you covered! Check out these helpful videos from the Oxford Revise team.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-bK...

Isla and the Sky Isla and the SkyGreg StobbsOxford Children’s Books Isla sees Sky differently from other people and this is reflected in her paintings. Sky has a variety of moods: sometimes she is rainy and people …

A touching tale of emotions and artistic representation, #IslaandtheSky gorgeously illustrated by Greg Stobbs @oxfordchildrens.bsky.social showing how important it is for big feelings to be understood and supported is #RedReadingHub’s #picturebook of the day reviewed on the blog wp.me/p11DI5-dDz

The Awesomely Adventurous Librarians The Awesomely Adventurous LibrariansDonna David and Victoria SteblevaOxford Children’s Books Rida’s Grandad works in Sleepy Creek Library and Rida absolutely loves to help him. She dusts shelves an…

A story about the power of books and the worlds they open up to readers, the delights of libraries & being kind #TheAwesomelyAdventurousLibrarians Donna M David ill. Victoria Stebleva @oxfordchildrens.bsky.social is #RedReadingHub’s #picturebook of the day reviewed on the blog wp.me/p11DI5-dDt

Reggie Rabbit and the Metro Mice / Toby and the Pixies: How To Be Cool Reggie Rabbit and the Metro MiceSwapna Reddy and Becka MoorOxford Children’s Books This is the 4th of the Reggie Rabbit series and it appears that Reggie isn’t quite as sharp as usual and is missin…

Part chapter book, part graphic novel #ReggieRabbitandtheMetroMice @swapnahaddow.bsky.social & @beckamoor.bsky.social @oxfordchildrens.bsky.social is #RedReadingHub’s #kidlit #fiction book of the day reviewed on the blog wp.me/p11DI5-dDm

Awesomely Adventurous Librarians The Awesomely Adventurous Librarians has been described as a love letter to librarians. Author, Donna David shares more about the book

Happy publication day to The Awesomely Adventurous Librarians - a book we very much approve of, for obvious reasons! We are so pleased to share some of author Donna David's love of libraries in a new guest post: buff.ly/89OKUfO 📚 #schoollibrarians #schoollibraries @oxfordchildrens.bsky.social

It’s 10 years since the first #IsadoraMoon book was published and she’s been enchanting readers ever since. Celebrate with this anniversary edition, our new Book of the Week, & catch up on our interview with creator Harriet Muncaster @oxfordchildrens.bsky.social #kidlituk

bit.ly/4rtMxRw

Howdy folks! I’m so excited to share that the brilliant Nick Jonas will be reading a book I illustrated on TV tonight! Tune in to CBeebies at 6.50pm with your little ones for a very special reading of The Ballad of Cactus Joe! 🤠❤️

@oxfordchildrens.bsky.social

Chosen by readers, here are #IBCawards2026 Children’s Choice WINNERS! 🏆🧡

Won’t Go! 🩰 Sumana Seeboruth & Fotini Tikkou | Pub. by Barefoot Books

Cloud Boy 💭 Greg Stobbs | Pub. by Oxford Children’s

Supa Nova 🧪 Chanté Timothy | Pub. by Nosy Crow

Metal detectorists find 2,000-year-old treasure in field The find - the first of its kind in west Wales - is incredibly rare and has been described as one of 'historical significance'

Huge news for Ceredigion & west Wales.

Imperial #Roman lead mines on Cardigan Bay were under the control of Domitian by AD 87 as confirmed by the discovery of these lead pigs

Only the 5th & 6th ingots ever found in Wales 😮

www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

The British Museum photo shows a six-sided, cube-shaped die carved from rock crystal on a grey surface. The six sides are numbered one to six. The numbers are represented by circular incised markings, which comprise of a dark outer ring with a dark dot at the centre. Length: 9 - 13 millimetres, width: 9 - 13 millimetres. Display lighting casts a shadow beneath the die.

Timeless design!

Roman rock crystal gaming die marked one to six like modern dice 🎲 1st-2nd century AD.

📷 British Museum www.britishmuseum.org/collection/o...

#Archaeology

Registration is officially OPEN for the ATP Conference, 9–11 July — and this year we’re heading to Winchester!

Explore the programme, venue details, and register as a delegate or exhibitor at: www.delegate-reg.co.uk/atp2026

Get signed up and let the countdown begin! #ATPconf26

A love heart made of red books surrounded by the white page blocks of other books

Roses are red,
coats go on hooks.
We made you a love heart,
from #Library books. 📚❤️

Happy #ValentinesDay to all our followers but especially YOU because you're our favourite. ❤️

A gold-coloured 3D filigree heart with a crown detail at the top.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

A little love token ❤️

Objects like this little silver-gilt love heart would've been traditionally presented as a love token and would've contained scented vinegar or spices to 'revive the senses'.

❤️ Vinaigrette, Denmark, about 1780, Silver-gilt, 4.4 cm high. WA1899.15

#FridayFive is going to Scandanavia for half term.
1. It Must Have Been Love.. Roxette.
2. My Hometown. Fire Saga.
3. Hate To Say I Told You So. The Hives.
4. My Silver Lining. First Aid Kit.
5. Erase and Rewind. The Cardigans.

The Clarendon Building with large windows lit up reflected on a calm puddle of water

The wet weather produces some beautiful photos!

Thank you to estherjohnsonphotography on Instagram for this wonderful shot of the Clarendon Building. 📸