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Donal Hale

@haledonal

Director of Literacy and Learning @TrinityAcademyL πŸ’œπŸŒŸ MA English in Education | Speaker | Author of 'Leading Secondary English' https://haleenglishteacher.wordpress.com

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06.08.2024
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Latest posts by Donal Hale @haledonal

Preview
Leading Secondary English Unlock the secrets to developing an expert English department with Leading Secondary English.Written in an accessible, conversational tone, and providing real-l…

Pre-order now using the discount code LEADING35 for 35% off.

www.bloomsbury.com/uk/leading-s...

04.02.2026 17:36 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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🚨 8 DAYS TO GO 🚨

Today's post for the upcoming Leading Secondary English @bloomsburyed.bsky.social is from Ch7 - Assessing using curriculum related expectations.

I am hugely indebted to @didau.bsky.social for this chapter. His work on KS3 assessment is SEMINAL.

More to come...

04.02.2026 17:36 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
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Happy February readers! Which of our new titles will you be picking up this month?πŸ₯³

I Tell Myself I'm Awesome
Terrible True Tales: Victorians
Terrible True Tales: Saxons
Succeeding as an MFL Teacher
Leading Secondary English

@haledonal.bsky.social @joshuaseigal.bsky.social

04.02.2026 17:11 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Leading Secondary English Unlock the secrets to developing an expert English department with Leading Secondary English.Written in an accessible, conversational tone, and providing real-l…

Pre-order now. Use LEADING35 for a 35% discount. www.bloomsbury.com/uk/leading-s...

31.01.2026 15:49 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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🚨12 DAYS TO GO🚨

Today's post for the upcoming Leading Secondary English @bloomsburyed.bsky.social is a soundbite I heard from @adamboxereducation.bsky.social about TTA:

Do We Do What We Say We Do?

This thinking influenced everything that went into this - authentic, concrete examples throughout!

31.01.2026 15:49 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Pre-order now:

30.01.2026 16:25 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Amazon.co.uk

Pre-order now: www.amazon.co.uk/Leading-Seco...

30.01.2026 16:25 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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🚨 13 DAYS TO GO 🚨

Today's post for the upcoming Leading Secondary English @BloomsburyEd from Ch5 - Implementing a knowledge-rich curriculum.

'What is the powerful knowledge you want your teachers to teach?'

I offer lots of concrete examples!

More to come...

30.01.2026 16:25 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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🚨BOOK GIVEAWAY🚨

To celebrate the release of Leading Secondary English from @bloomsburyed.bsky.social on 12 February, I am giving away not one, but TWO FREE COPIES.

To be in for a chance of winning, simply 'like' and 'repost' below. πŸ‘‡

Winners will be chosen on Monday 2nd February.

29.01.2026 19:53 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Leading Secondary English Unlock the secrets to developing an expert English department with Leading Secondary English.Written in an accessible, conversational tone, and providing real-l…

Pre-order now. 35% discount using code LEADING35: www.bloomsbury.com/uk/leading-s...

28.01.2026 18:22 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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🚨 15 DAYS TO GO 🚨

A recent spate of illness means I missed a week of these...

Today's post for the upcoming Leading Secondary English @bloomsburyed.bsky.social is short and sweet.

The Dedication page - one for @litdrive.bsky.social and @ttradioofficial.bsky.social English folk...

28.01.2026 18:22 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Leading Secondary English Unlock the secrets to developing an expert English department with Leading Secondary English.Written in an accessible, conversational tone, and providing real-l…

it is a truly excellent model of curriculum design.

Pre-order now for 35% off with the discount code: LEADING35.

www.bloomsbury.com/uk/leading-s...

21.01.2026 16:33 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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🚨 22 DAYS TO GO 🚨

Today's post for the upcoming Leading Secondary English @bloomsburyed.bsky.social is a case study by Amy Staniforth on:

Designing a Secondary English Curriculum

Inspired by @marymyatt.bsky.social, @alexjquigley.bsky.social and @funkypedagogy.bsky.social,

21.01.2026 16:33 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
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🚨 23 DAYS TO GO 🚨

Today's post for the upcoming Leading Secondary English @bloomsburyed.bsky.social reveals a *HUGE* DISCOUNT OF 35% OFF any pre-orders.

Use the code LEADING35 on Bloomsbury.com.

This offer expires on 12.02.26. Grab it while you can! πŸ‘‡πŸ‘‡πŸ‘‡πŸ‘‡πŸ‘‡πŸ‘‡

20.01.2026 14:46 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Leading Secondary English: Unlock the secrets to building an exceptional English department : Donal Hale: Amazon.co.uk: Books Leading Secondary English: Unlock the secrets to building an exceptional English department : Donal Hale: Amazon.co.uk: Books

But with great power comes great responsibility!

More to come... PRE-ORDER NOW: www.amazon.co.uk/Leading-Seco...

19.01.2026 15:56 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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🚨 24 DAYS TO GO 🚨

Today's sneak peek of Leading Secondary English @bloomsburyed.bsky.social from Ch4 - Spiral curriculum and Schema-building.

When leading secondary English you have so much freedom and flexibility of what to teach and when to teach it at KS3...

19.01.2026 15:56 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

#iteachenglish

18.01.2026 08:19 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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🚨 25 DAYS TO GO 🚨

Today's sneak peek of Leading Secondary English @bloomsburyed.bsky.social comes from Ch3- Upholding the Law.

A range of ideas for robust quality assurance practices:

βœ… Deliberate Practice
βœ… Spotlights
βœ… Book Looks
βœ… The 4 Rs

Pre-order now: www.bloomsbury.com/uk/leading-s...

18.01.2026 07:24 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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Received my advance copies of 'Leading Secondary English' from @bloomsburyed.bsky.social today.

A great feeling to finally hold it in my hands! 😍

Out on 12 February. Pre-order now: www.bloomsbury.com/uk/leading-s...

17.01.2026 23:12 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

But, this reminder is key:

When engaging in my other pursuits, '[I' m] not part of the body of a school, not truly under its skin'.

When I am 'under its skin', I know that's when I have true impact.

This blog helps me to remember that. Thank you @clairestoneman.bsky.social.

28.07.2025 21:34 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

One of my favour bloggers, and this is a cracking one @clairestoneman.bsky.social.

As someone who has attempted to be a voice at the table: spoken at conferences, written a book, whilst working in a school full time, it's hard. And frankly, I can't do it all, anymore. My voice is quieter.

28.07.2025 21:34 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Be like @laurenteacheng.bsky.social.

Pre-order Leading Secondary English today for 30% off.

www.bloomsbury.com/uk/leading-s...

30.06.2025 18:35 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you, Lauren! πŸ™‚

30.06.2025 18:23 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Arriving on Blue.Sky with all the gear and no idea but I just pre-ordered @haledonal.bsky.social 's Leading Secondary English and that seems like something to celebrate #cpd #leadership #secondaryenglish

30.06.2025 18:16 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1

for pleasure.

Evidence-Based Pedagogical Approaches – Research-driven techniques to enhance literacy teaching.

The TAL Literacy Toolkit – Exclusive resources to streamline and strengthen literacy initiatives.

Sign up today! @litdrive.bsky.social @teamenglish1.bsky.social πŸ’œπŸŒŸ

30.06.2025 17:06 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

The session will focus on:

Wave 1, 2 & 3 Literacy Support – Structured interventions tailored to different student needs.

Phonics Programme Implementation – Effective methods to embed phonics across key stages

Building a Reading Culture – Practical ways to engage students and staff in reading

30.06.2025 17:06 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Professional Visits - TrinityMAT

🚨Interested on how we developed our Literacy Strategy and the famous @TrinityAcademyL's Literacy Toolkit?

@trinity_mat is offering an opportunity to to come to TAL for a professional visit morning on 16 October to hear all about it!

www.trinitymat.org/professional...

30.06.2025 17:06 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

doesn't fit with my normal way of being.

I wouldn't normally post something like this, but I suppose it makes it more real for me. I share lots online, so it makes sense to share this. It might feel disingenuous not to.

Slowing down isn't easy for me, but that I must! 3

27.06.2025 17:08 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

progression, and I am now on treatment via immunosuppression.

The most challenging thing is the fatigue. I suppose I'd always taken it for granted that I can take stairs two at a time, bounce around a room. But, at the moment, I can't. Mentally, that's hard to accept. It ... 2

27.06.2025 17:08 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

PERSONAL POST:

I've had a challenging few months in terms of my health. What started as a viral illness, triggering a drooping eye lid... has led to a diagnosis of a rare (especially for someone my age) autoimmune disease: myasthenia gravis.

There are early signs of ... 1

27.06.2025 17:08 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0