We made rows compulsory @BMooreAcademy 2 years ago. A couple of teachers felt iffy about it, but for us, it was about empowering our least experienced teachers and reducing difference. Kids aren't silly. They are quick to notice when there are differences in classroom layout. 1/

They read things into those differences. *Sometimes*, group tables are the subtle equivalent of "they behave for me". My training year was blighted by the SLT I shared a class with, who insisted on groups. I couldn't see their faces. They were craning their necks to listen. 2/

Or they weren't. I talked a lot. Bad in those days but objectively the right thing to do. I modelled on the board loads. I told them the board was their page. We co-constructed and annotated. I *taught*. That was what I was paid for. I wasn't supervising independent study. 3/

When we mandated rows at BMA, it transformed our culture and the quality of locus of attention. It *forced* us to be better teachers. Kids could see what we were showing and hear what we were saying. They weren't looking at an old display, and weren't looking at their mates. 4/

There was no confusion coming into any classroom about what the rules were, what the routines were, because they were all the same. We focused attention on the single highest leverage resource in the room: their teacher. 5/

Does that mean we drill and kill? No. Does that mean we are enemies of oracy? No. The pupils talk loads, about what they are learning, to their partner, to their teacher, and to the entire class. The behaviour is impeccable. Discussions are scholarly. Teachers are teaching. 6/

Do I think politicians should be offering up directives to schools about how to teach? No. But I also happen to think that rows are a great bet, & that they should be used widely *particularly* in secondary where children have lots of different teachers. Reduce the variables. 7/

But idea that classrooms are their own dominion is absurd, as is the notion that rows are inherently ideological. We'll stick to rows, & if there's ever a time one a pupil has more to say about Macbeth than I do, they can come to the front. I'll take a seat in the front row. 8/