The Siddiqui Summary Newsletter September 2025

Hi Everyone

I was aiming to write the Siddiqui Summary Newsletter to recap the whole of September. However, with so much going on and so many things to look forward to, I thought I'd give you an update now.

First of all, welcome back if you work in the education space. If you have kids, then congratulations! You survived the summer holidays. If you don't have kids and don't work in education, I'm sorry that traffic is once again brutal during school drop off, and if you work from home and don't work in school...not much has changed since my last newsletter.

It was a lovely summer of recharging in Cyprus with the family.

Recharging + all inclusive = putting a whole 17lb's on!

I can't tell if I'm ashamed or proud...bit of both I feel.

August, gave me the time and space to get a clear offering of my Let's Thrive Programme in place to ensure I'm adding as much value as possible with the schools and trusts I work with. What started as a series of celebratory assemblies is fast forming in to a more in depth offering where I ensure, I support schools to embed character, digital literacy, Oracy and enterprise further in to their ethos.

I'm so excited about plans moving forward and am eternally grateful to the brilliant sponsors that have given me the support to make my offering as of much value as possible. Huge gratitude will continually go to Newline Interactive Europe , Olex.AI , Daisy Education UK and L.E.A.D. IT Services . As grateful as I am to them for their sponsorship, I'm equally as excited with plans we have to support the wider education community with upcoming events...watch this space and in Olex case...keep reading.

If you're new to my Let's Thrive work and want to get an idea plus a few freebies, check out my Let's Thrive Labs. Values + Vibe Coding = Vision coming to life. I'd appreciate feedback and new suggestions for apps, so please do get in touch. https://baasitsiddiqui.com/lab/ Each app has been made using Vibe Coding. If you or your school would like some AI insights with a focus on engagement and pedagogy please reach out. Happy to help.

Also, a quick reminder, to get more frequent insights into the work I'm doing, get links to resources for schools and find out a bit more about the wider Siddiqui family, please do subscribe to my email newsletter.

Value for Schools V2

There are exciting plans in place as Melissa Siddiqui and I are re developing the Value for Schools site. The aim of Value for Schools is to provide educators a place to go to keep up with latest blogs, articles and services across the education eco system. I'm in a very privileged position to be connected with and come across initiatives teachers just don't have the time for, so Value for Schools will be my way of...well adding Value to Schools. Less content creator, more content curator.

If you visit the site you'll get more information about the work I'm doing with the University of Derby, Pickatale, Cyber Explorers and so much more, but I wanted to shine a light on some new additions that I've either been directly involved in, or feel the need to be sign posted further.

Making Sense of the New DFE Writing Framework

Olex.Ai have been busy this summer, teaming up with Dr Tim Mills MBE to turn the new DfE Writing Framework into lessons, feedback and progress you can actually see. Their Writing Framework PowerPack brings together OlexTeach with editable, framework-aligned resources, OlexFeedback with clear next steps for pupils, and OlexAnalytics with simple dashboards that show impact, all on their multi award-winning, AI-powered platform. They’re opening a limited pilot for early access. If this could help your school, find out more and register your interest here: https://olex.ai/dfe-writing-framework/

Or if you want an in person experience with the Olex team, myself and the teachers who are using Olex on a daily basis, then please be sure to join us for the Olex Showcase Day at Northumberland Heath Primary. Please register here and let any other educators know who are local. Working with Olex really has been a no brainer. It adds value, sparks imagination and gives teachers their time back. https://lnkd.in/eybzuXbP

Championing Wellbeing

This summer I was part of the judging panel for Howden, the new name for Aston Lark amazing Pupil Well Being Prize. Over 500 schools entered and to say judging was tough is an understatement. It's not my place to announce the winners, but what it drew a clear light to was how much support is needed in helping our young peoples well being. I'm honoured to be working with Howden again this year to raise awareness and champion people and initiatives trying to support where they can. With that in mind, can I please encourage you to raise awareness and sign up online or in person to the "Student Voice: Real Talk on Mental Wellbeing" event. Its on the 10th of October both in person at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, but because it was so powerful last year, they've made it accessible online too. Find out more and sign up here. https://www.howdengroup.com/uk-en/student-voice

Teachers Guide to University 2026

It was an absolute pleasure to contribute an article on criticality to the brand-new Teachers’ Guide to University 2026 by the UniTasterDays team, and they have outdone themselves. It is jam packed with articles for school and college staff. Please spread the word so educators can gain insights, tips and resources to help students make confident university choices provided by 80 experts. You can download the article here. https://www.unitasterdays.com/university-support-for-schools/teachers-guide-to-university-brochure/ Big thanks as always to Jon Cheek and Simon Fairbanks . The level of value they bring to the University space is nothing but inspirational.

Get Ready to Podcast

Speaking of Universities, I was able to join in the celebrations of the incredible new University of Derby opening of their International Business School. I had a pinch me moment meeting Dragons Den entrepreneur Theo Paphitis , who shared funny, inspiring and moving messages around entrepreneurship. It was wonderful to hear that Theo is now a professor of entrepreneurship at the University and I for one can't think of anyone better suited to support the business leaders of the future.

The whole event reminded me of the visionary work the University continues to do. With that in mind, here's a reminder to encourage all colleges to sign up to our free Podcast competition. The entries last year were phenomenal and gave an insight in to what our young people are concerned about but also what inspires them. Please spread the word. It's free and you can leave the students to get on with it while encouraging agency. https://www.derby.ac.uk/get-ready-for-uni/. Something that stood out for me during Theos talk was, the harder you work, the luckier you get. Our winners of the Podcast competition last year worked hard and as luck would have it, won. How about that?!

The Impact of Absenteeism

I came across a sobering report re shared by Leanne Marquis recently, that I felt important to share with my network too. In the recent The Centre for Social Justice report entitled "Absent Ambition", it explained how 170,000 children now miss more school than they attend, with persistent absence still 40% above pre-pandemic levels. The report digs into the break down of home/school trust, fading ambition about what school is for, and families under real pressure. There is also a focus on why attendance drives grades, future work and safety. It also sets out practical fixes such as clear attendance awareness, real work experience, more sport and enrichment, mentors, and targeted family support. Definitely an interesting report to explore and share. Here's the link to the report. https://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/library/absent-ambition

Upcoming Events

Chatta Hubs

October is set to be a busy months for myself and some good friends. When it comes to good friends, no one comes to mind sooner then the always inpsiring Chris Williams . I met Chris in the summer and he was beyond gracious with his time and support of my Let's Thrive Programme. He has helped me refine my offering to ensure I'm able to add value and effective support systems. This means so much, because I know Chris is living and breathing the support of schools in developing inclusion across English and Oracy through Chatta . Chatta, rightly so is going from strength to strength and making a real impact due to Chris' expertise and passion. I know the SHINE Trust really celebrate the work Chris is doing and that's because it work. Please encourage educators to visit the upcoming Chatta hubs. You can find out more about the hubs and Chatta here. https://chattalearning.com/hubschools/

Keynoting Primary Leaders Conference - Harrogate

It is less than a month to go until the Blue Cow Education Primary Leaders Conference in Harrogate and I'm delighted to be joining a whole host of wonderful speakers including Martin Bailey , Simon Blower, Rachel Tomlinson FRSA , Rachael Wilding , June Stevenson , and Ann Marie Christian FRSA. With a focus on safeguarding, AI, Inclusion and parental engagement, there's something for everyone. Thank you to Alicia Coad and David Winfield for having me. I've heard its a brilliant opportunity to network and be inspired so please spread the word and join us. https://www.bluecoweducation.com/harrogateconference.html

In Person Celebrations

Three weeks in to the academic year, there is already many things to be grateful for. Firstly the biggest thank you to the Primitas Learning Partnership for inviting me to keynote at their September inset. Mark Maydew outlined the amazing achievements of the schools and the bold vision. I was humbled to be able to kickstart what will be an incredible year for the partnership and I'm grateful for the positive response to my talk:

"Thank you Baasit for giving us such a challenging, inspiring and life-affirming reminder of what an awesome responsibility and privilege it is to work in education"

Thanks as always to Katie Cavill and The Learning Line for the putting this all together. I'm excited to build on these first few talks and explore our partnership further.

Celebrating a Love of Literacy

A big thank you to Alison Ingram for inviting me to read my Curious Careers books and close the Victoria Primary School Literacy Festival. It was great to see such a commitment to instilling a love of reading and hear from other authors. There were so many lovely sessions throughout the day from good friends David Anderson and Claire Clements ⭐ who are absolute experts in getting children excited about reading. It was a surreal moment to read my short stories out loud and it has got me even more excited about getting the next three stories linked to the world of Curious Careers on the Pickatale platform. Watch this space for a printed anthology. If you'd like to find out more get in touch.

Thank You

Thank you as always for reading. If you feel there is value for others in your network, whether it's the freebies, reports or pockets of inspiration, please do share. If anything I've spoken about resonates with you, your school or business then I'd love to speak to you. My DMs are always open or send me an email at baasit@siddiqui-education.co.uk

Have a great week and month ahead.