On Tuesday 3rd May, thousands of parents are planning to take a stand against a school system which is more interested in testing our children than it is in nurturing in them a love of learning. They will be adding their voices to the growing unrest that already permeates the teaching profession, and joining the call from the National Union of Teachers to cancel the SATs for 2016. By keeping their children home from school on that day, they want to send a clear message to the government that enough is enough, and that their children – all children – deserve more.
We want to take things one step further.
As well as fully supporting the kids’ strike on 3rd May, we want to use that day and the run up to it to flood the internet with inspirational learning moments: images, stories and activities that show just how much more there is to learning than the narrow focus of the SATs allows. Whatever the age of your child, whether they are at school or nursery or educated at home, we would like you to help us show the government what learning really looks like, using the hashtag #THISislearning.
If you’re a teacher, we would love to hear your thoughts too: this government has marginalised the expertise of education professionals for far too long.
If you have a blog, you can link up your posts below to create a hub of inspiration in the run up to 3rd May and share what you and your child(ren) get up to on the day itself. If you are not a blogger then don’t worry – you can share your ideas and activities on your social media accounts, using #THISislearning on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can find out more about why we’re taking this action by reading Maddy’s post No, Mr Cameron, No, which inspired us with the fantastic response it received from parents and teachers alike, and the follow up, This is learning, Mr Cameron, as well as Sophie’s post Why SATs are Bad for our Children, reflecting on the current situation from the perspective of ten years of teaching as well as life with a three year old.
You can also join our Facebook group to keep up to date with latest developments, and please comment below or contact either of us directly if there is anything else you want to know.
Maddy: Writing Bubble
Sophie: Sophie is…
#THISislearning
We would love as many bloggers as possible to join in! Here are just a few suggestions for taking part:
- Link up any post (old or new) about inspiring children to learn, including fun activities people might like to try on May 3rd.
- Please use the badge below on your post to spread awareness of the campaign (copy and paste the HTML code to add it to your site). We will share your posts on Twitter in return.
- If you share your post on social media please use the hashtag #THISislearning. If you tweet us a link to your post @writingbubble and @sophieblovett then we will RT.
- Link up your post below – just click on the blue button that says ‘add your link’ and follow the instructions. We look forward to reading your posts.


What a great way to collect other ways to inspire children that aren’t classroom based. There are so many great ways to inspire children. I will have a look through my archives. xx
Thanks Susan, We’d love you to link up any posts you have! And, I know you live in Scotland but feel free to join in on social media after school/work on the 3rd!
Maddy recently posted…#THISislearning â join us!
This is the kick up the bum I need to write my home ed six month update!! Good work ladies xxx
Ooh excellent, Reneé – I look forward to reading (will you be breaking your no linky rule?) xx
Maddy recently posted…#THISislearning â join us!
This is a really interesting idea. Looking forward to reading all of the posts that get linked up. #PoCoLo
Gina Caro recently posted…Live Life Challenge
Thanks Gina – inspiration is already pouring in!
Maddy recently posted…Book review: Runaway Girl by Emily Organ
I am no longer in the UK but I would be taking my boys out of school if I was. Mind you the French system isn’t ideal either.
As for ideas, do please have a look at this page on my blog that has links to Nature Activities for Children. http://eco-gites.blogspot.fr/p/blog-page_27.html
When I was in the UK I was employed by schools to run a range of environmental activities with the children. They thought they were having a day off from lessons and learning but I reckon they would have learnt as much, if not more, than on the days when they followed the curriculum in the classroom.
Many of my ideas come from books by Joseph Cornell – do look out for them.
Rosie @greenrosielife recently posted…Weekly Green Tips #5 – 7 Tips to Make your Holiday Green
thanks Rosie, I will check out that post and thanks for linking up! And yes, I agree that a day off ‘lessons’ could actually result in more learning!
Maddy recently posted…Book review: Runaway Girl by Emily Organ
This is in an amazing cause and linky! Would look at my past blog as I remember one or 2 post about leraning =) #pocolo
Merlinda Little (Glimmer of Hope) recently posted…Faking It
Love this campaign – I don’t have any little ones at school but everything I’ve heard about Year 2 SATs makes me think that our children deserve so much more and anything that encourages a love of learning and makes learning fun should be supported. Good luck with it all – have shared!

Louise (Little Hearts, Big Love) recently posted…#366daysofgratitude – Week 16
Thanks for linking up to #PoCoLo and hope this gets the media attention it deserves next week.
Stephanie Robinson recently posted…Some broad bean love and weeding…