All articles on this site

  • How Much Truth Is Enough? Reflecting on Raynor Winn’s Response to The Observer

    What happens when the story you loved starts to shift? In this piece, I explore Raynor Winn’s recent public defence of The Salt Path—a statement both moving and evasive. While condemning the abuse Winn has received, the article interrogates what her response reveals (and conceals) about the ethics of memoir. Did the omissions distort the truth? What kind of trust do memoirists owe their readers? And when real-life complexities surface, do they deepen a story—or destabilise it? This isn’t about cancellation—it’s about accountability, narrative framing, and the quiet power of what’s left unsaid. #MemoirEthics #RaynorWinn #TheSaltPath #NarrativeTruth #LifeWriting #CreativeNonfiction #MindfulWriting #EthicalStorytelling #WritingCommunity

  • Ten Ethical Complexities of Memoir: After The Salt Path, and Two Decades After My Own

    In my last post, I explored Thirteen Ways of Looking at The Salt Path. This follow-up dives deeper. Raynor Winn’s The Salt Path moved many. But recent reporting has raised ethical questions about omission, accountability, and the seduction of “emotional truth.” What are the responsibilities of the memoirist—especially when their story brings them sympathy, sales, or status? In this new article, I reflect on my own memoir—and what I got wrong. I explore what I’ve learned as a writer, teacher, and mentor of emerging voices on the MA in Creative Writing and Education at Goldsmiths. 🧭 Memoir is a journey, not a monument. 🕊️ Truth needs ethics, not just emotion. 🌊 The Salt Path leads us to difficult but necessary questions. 🔗 Link in bio/comments #MemoirMatters #EmotionalTruth #CreativeWriting #TheSaltPath #EthicalWriting #FrancisGilbert #WritersOfInstagram #NonFictionNarratives #GoldsmithsWriters

  • Five Reasons Why Mindfulness and Creative Writing Weave Together Well

    What happens when we stop judging our writing—and simply listen? In this new blog post, I reflect on a recent workshop where writers used mindfulness to unlock voice, memory, and emotion. Together we explored how freewriting, object meditation, and mindful noticing can transform both what we write and how we feel about writing. Participants wrote about lipstick, tissue packets, Kindles—and discovered surprising characters, deep emotional truths, and stories of presence, loss, and joy. These moments reminded us that mindfulness is not about calming down—it’s about showing up. Drawing on my book The Mindful Creative Writing Teacher (Gilbert, 2025) and C. T. McCaw’s concept of “thick mindfulness,” I share five practical and poetic takeaways from the session. If you teach, write, or are simply curious about the link between awareness and creativity, this one’s for you. 💡 Read now and see how mindful writing can be radically freeing. #MindfulWriting #CreativeWritingTeacher #Freewriting #MindfulnessInEducation #WritersOfInstagram #AmWriting #WritingWorkshop #GoldsmithsUniversity #FrancisGilbert #WritingPrompt #MindfulLiving

  • Thirteen Ways of Looking at The Salt Path After the Truth Came Out

    I wrote this blog because, like so many readers, I had been profoundly moved by The Salt Path and felt shocked and saddened by the revelations in The Observer’s investigation. My piece, Thirteen Ways of Looking at The Salt Path, reflects the emotional complexity of this moment. It explores how we process betrayal, how beauty can be real even when built on broken foundations, and how storytelling must be held to ethical account. This is not a takedown. It is not an attempt to erase what people found meaningful in Sally and Tim Walker’s journey. Instead, it is an invitation to hold the story up to the light and examine its layers. I use the structure of Wallace Stevens’ poem Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird to acknowledge the many truths that can coexist, and the importance of distinguishing between them. This is a moment for honesty in publishing, compassion for those misled, and responsibility for those harmed. It is also a call for readers, writers, and teachers to think more deeply about what it means to tell the truth. I hope this blog opens a space for reflection and dialogue, about literature, justice, and the real salt of life.

  • Five Hidden Truths About Parenting Support , and How To Find Help That Actually Works

    I wrote this blog because so many parents still aren’t getting the support they need. As the author of Parent Power and Working the System, and a long-time advocate for families, I’ve seen just how powerful parenting support can be — when it’s done well. Too often, the help that really works is hidden behind jargon, red tape, or lack of publicity. And too many families are being offered programmes that aren’t backed by evidence. Inspired by Nesta’s 2025 report Parenting Support at Scale, I’ve written a practical, no-nonsense blog to help parents navigate what’s out there — and how to find what actually works. In the blog, I break down five key findings every parent should know, from the benefits of structured programmes like Triple P and Incredible Years to free online tools like Tiny Happy People. I’ve included links to trusted websites, tips on what to ask for, and suggestions for getting tailored support. Please share this with any parents or carers who might need a bit of guidance, or who don’t know where to start. #ParentingSupport #ParentPower #MindfulParenting #TripleP #IncredibleYears #Nesta #FamilyHelp #EarlyYears

  • Why English Teaching Still Matters: Insights from the 2025 NATE Conference

    What does it mean to teach English with creativity, care, and courage in 2025? At this year’s NATE (National Association for the Teaching of English) conference, I joined a passionate group of teachers, academics, publishers, and educational innovators, some seasoned, others just starting out, to explore that very question. In this new blog post, I reflect on five powerful lessons from a day filled with poetic metaphors, Generation Alpha pedagogy, and mindful creative writing. From Clare Lawrence’s unforgettable lentil metaphor, to conversations about inclusive teaching for a post-2010 cohort, to the joyful solidarity of English educators nationwide: this was a conference where research met emotion, and practice met possibility. I also had the pleasure of leading a mindful creative writing workshop, inspired by my book The Mindful Creative Writing Teacher (Gilbert, 2025), and saw first-hand how freeing and transformative creative writing can be when rooted in reflection rather than performance. If you care about teaching English in ways that centre imagination, identity, and student voice, and want to explore this further, take a look at our MA in Creative Writing and Education at Goldsmiths. 🔗 MA info: https://www.gold.ac.uk/pg/ma-creative-writing-education/ #MindfulWriting #NATE2025 #CreativePedagogy #EnglishTeachers #TeacherCommunity #FrancisGilbert #MindfulCreativeWritingTeacher

  • Five Things We Can Learn from Faking Hitler: Lies, Truth, and the Seduction of Fiction

    I wrote this piece after finishing Faking Hitler, the German drama now streaming on Channel 4. It’s a gripping, ironic, and surprisingly funny retelling of the Hitler Diaries scandal, a real event where forged Nazi documents were sold to Stern magazine in the 1980s. What drew me in wasn’t just the slick production or the fascinating story, but the deeper questions the series raises about truth, memory, and the fictions we choose to believe. This drama isn’t just about a historical hoax; it’s about our relationship with the past — and how easily we rewrite it. Through sharp writing and unforgettable performances, Faking Hitler explores how trauma, ambition, ideology, and denial can cloud even the sharpest minds. It’s a series that resonates disturbingly with our own times, when truth feels fragile and authoritarian myths resurface in new forms. I wanted to unpack five key takeaways from the show — about journalism, fascism, generational reckoning, and the seductive power of lies. This article is my attempt to make sense of a drama that is as psychologically rich as it is entertaining. If you’re interested in truth, fiction, or the strange space in between, read on. #FakingHitler #Channel4 #MediaEthics #Fascism #TruthAndFiction #BlogPost #CriticalMediaLiteracy #CreativeNonfiction #HistoricalDrama #MindfulMedia

  • Five things I’ve learnt training to be a mindfulness teacher

    Earlier this year, I completed the Breathworks mindfulness teacher training—a rigorous and transformative journey rooted in compassion, embodiment, and lived experience. As part of the training, I led the Mindfulness for Stress course at Goldsmiths. It taught me something simple but profound: mindfulness isn’t something you explain. It’s something you do—together. The course invites people into a shared practice. Week by week, breath by breath, we learn not to escape stress but to meet it differently—with gentleness, attention, and care. I’ve seen how powerful it is when people turn toward themselves with kindness, not judgement. That shift—toward noticing, softening, and storytelling—transforms more than you might expect. Mindfulness isn’t about fixing or improving who you are. It’s about showing up for your experience, fully and kindly. This work has changed me. It’s helped me listen to my body, soften my inner voice, and meet difficulty with presence instead of resistance. If you’re curious about mindfulness, teaching it, or simply beginning to practise, I’d love to connect. Feel free to reach out—or just pause for a breath, right here. #Mindfulness #Breathworks #MindfulTeaching #Wellbeing #Embodiment #Compassion #FrancisGilbert #Goldsmiths #MindfulLiving

  • Let Poetry Jump Up: Five Key Ways to Teach Poetry Effectively

    Let Poetry Jump Up: Five Powerful Ways to Teach Poetry I wrote this blog after attending a fantastic workshop led by the brilliant Fiona Plant, a warm and inspiring poetry educator. Her session was a powerful reminder of how poetry can create joy, connection, and confidence in the classroom. Fiona shared five inclusive, creative approaches that make poetry teaching feel fresh and purposeful—ranging from “I Am…” Post-it Poems and metaphor games to redacted newspaper poetry and the thoughtful use of sensory prompts. She also explored how to use the CASTERS lesson planning framework (which I developed) to bring intention, reflection, and creativity into every stage of the process. Most strikingly, Fiona urged us to model the process of writing—not just share polished work. When children see poetry unfold, with all its mess and magic, they begin to see themselves as writers too. You can find Fiona’s slides, activity ideas, and lots more in the full blog post on my website: 👉 www.francisgilbert.co.uk If you’d like to receive occasional curated updates about creative writing, education, and mindful teaching, you can sign up here: 👉 www.francisgilbert.co.uk/subscribecontact/ #PoetryTeaching #MindfulLearning #CreativeWriting #FrancisGilbert #CASTERSFramework #FionaPlant #TeacherInspiration #EduBlog

  • How can you teach people to write innovatively? Here are 5 ideas…

    In this practical and thought-provoking article, I reflect on a brilliant CPD session led by writer and teacher Niall Bourke as part of the MACWE summer programme. Niall offered a masterclass in how to teach creative writing in ways that are emotionally rich, structurally sound, and genuinely original. The article outlines five key takeaways that challenge conventional, formulaic approaches to writing instruction. From the power of constraints to the centrality of voice and desire, from embracing the weird and abstract to viewing editing as a creative act, and finally to the importance of modelling without over-directing — these insights offer teachers and writers alike a fresh, flexible “toolkit” approach. Full of vivid examples, quotable gems, and links to wider reading, this piece is for anyone who believes that creative writing teaching should spark joy, courage, and clarity — not just box-ticking or genre mimicry.

  • Four Things I Learnt from Watching the Stage Version of North by Northwest

    I just published a blog about the stage version of North by Northwest at Alexandra Palace—and how it reimagines the Hitchcock classic as a theatrical ballet of identity, storytelling, and existential suspense. I’ve watched the film countless times, but this adaptation helped me see it in a whole new way. With a minimalist set (four revolving doors, a few suitcases), 1950s jazz and soul in place of Herrmann’s score, and a narrator-ringmaster who plays “Simon Says” with the audience, it’s smart, funny, and surprisingly moving. The production doesn’t parody the film—it honours it. But it also updates it. Eve Kendall is transformed into a politically astute Kennedy-esque figure; Roger Thornhill is less slick, more vulnerable. There’s a deeper emotional heart, a sharper critique of Cold War paranoia, and even a nod to Heidegger’s Dasein—we’re all thrown into roles we didn’t choose. It made me reflect on performance, surveillance, masculinity, and freedom—in the 1950s and now. If you’re curious about theatre, adaptation, or just love North by Northwest, I hope the blog’s worth a read. Let me know your thoughts—and whether you think this deserves a West End transfer too. #NorthByNorthwest #Theatre #Adaptation #Hitchcock #AllyPally #Existentialism #StageCraft #BlogPost

  • Four Reasons Why VAT on Private School Fees Is a Good Idea

    On LBC with Matthew Wright, I explained why VAT on private school fees is a fair and vital policy. It ends an unjust tax break, redirects funding to state schools, and encourages social integration. As a teacher, parent, and advocate for mindful education, I’ve seen how this can build a fairer system. Read more and listen in at www.francisgilbert.co.uk. #MindfulLearning #EducationPolicy #VAT #FairEducation #LBC

  • What’s the Best Education for Your Child?

    I recently recorded a very special episode of the Mindful Learning Podcast with my son, Theo. We went on a long car journey and ended up reflecting deeply on his education—from private prep school to state primary, local comprehensive to sixth form college, and beyond. He’s now a singer-songwriter and on the Civil Service Fast Stream. We talked honestly about bullying, creativity, great teachers, and why change can be a good thing. I also wrote an accompanying article exploring six key lessons I’ve learned as a parent navigating the education system. It’s one of the most personal things I’ve done—both as a father and as an educator. If you’re wondering what the “best” education really looks like, I hope it offers some helpful insights.

  • 🏅Model GCSE Essay on the Feud in Romeo and Juliet

    If you’re teaching or studying Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’, you’ll know that essays about the family feud often hover around a Grade 4, 5 or 6—what examiners might call ‘middling’ or ‘competent’ responses. But with a few targeted improvements, these essays can be transformed into top-grade responses. I’ve updated one of my most popular blog posts to show exactly how to do this, paragraph by paragraph, with comments, grade 9 tips, and clear marking guidance for teachers and pupils alike. The key is to move beyond surface-level understanding and begin thinking like a literary analyst. That means really digging into Shakespeare’s language (AO2), showing a secure knowledge of the play and its themes (AO1), and crucially, thinking about why Shakespeare wrote what he did, and how his audience might have reacted (AO3). This is where the 5Ws strategy—Who, What, Where, When, Why—comes in. For example, instead of simply quoting the Prologue’s “ancient grudge” to describe the feud, a top-grade response will explore the word “ancient” in more depth. What does it suggest about tradition, time, and decay? What kind of audience would Shakespeare have been writing for, and why might he start with such a phrase? A Grade 9 student doesn’t just spot a quote—they zoom in on the language, explain the technique being used, and link it to Shakespeare’s bigger message about love, hate, and fate. I’ve used a visual symbol system in the new version of this post to make each part of the answer easier to teach and understand. A pencil icon stands for thoughtful analysis, a book and quill symbol represents literary and historical context, and a checkmark indicates where a pupil is showing Grade 8–9 thinking. I’ve also added a quiet but clear visual: a student figure at the centre of the learning, reminding us this is about developing real, mindful confidence—not just ticking boxes. This new breakdown works well for teachers modelling essays in class, for pupils revising independently, and for tutors looking for a clear teaching sequence. And if you’re looking for more structured support, I’d recommend my edition of the play, Romeo and Juliet: The Complete Play with Integrated Study Notes and Smart Translation—ideal for exploring language, structure and context in one place. For teachers, The Mindful English Teacher includes ideas for making literary analysis more inclusive, reflective, and emotionally aware. You can view the updated post and download the image resources now at francisgilbert.co.uk, or find the essay thread pinned to my socials. Let me know how you use it, and feel free to tag me with examples of Grade 9 insights from your own pupils!

  • Six Things We Can Learn About Publishing and Navigating the World as a Writer

    What does it mean to publish bravely? To speak even when your voice shakes, or is hidden behind a pseudonym? We were honoured to welcome back Nick Bailey, alumnus of the MA in Creative Writing and Education, who opened up a rich, moving conversation about the realities of writing and publishing today. From self-publishing his genre-bending novel 2048 to working with a values-driven indie press, Nick shared not just tips, but truths: how publishing can empower, expose, disguise, and liberate. We heard from participants using pseudonyms to survive racism in education, from writers navigating rejection, and from those reshaping what it means to “be seen.” This blog distils six powerful takeaways — from building creative resilience, to understanding publishing as pedagogy. It’s about voice, not vanity. Process, not product. And why the best reason to publish is because your story needs to be told. Read it in full on my site. Reflect. Share. Teach. Because writing bravely is where publishing well begins. #MindfulPublishing #CreativeWritingEducation #NickBailey #SelfPublishing #IndiePress #PublishingAsPedagogy #MAWritingEducation #WritersOfInstagram #LinkedInWriters #BlueSkyWriters

  • Five Things We Can Learn About Fathers and Sons from Fiction

    What can fiction teach us about the complicated relationships between fathers and sons? After reading Benjamin Wood’s haunting novel A Station on the Path to Somewhere Better, I found myself reflecting on how these bonds are portrayed in literature—and how they shape us. Wood’s book, with its 1990s road trip setting, disturbed and moved me in equal measure. It made me think of other works—Turgenev, Gosse, Hornby, Roth—that reveal the pain, longing, and inherited wounds so often passed from father to son. In my latest blog, I explore five key lessons we can take from such fiction: the transmission of trauma, the hunger for approval, the myth of paternal infallibility, the performance of masculinity, and the search for identity. These themes feel especially resonant in today’s world, where ideas of fatherhood and manhood are constantly evolving.

  • Five Ways to Help Teenagers Love English and Learn to Grow as People

    ✨ How Can We Help Teenagers Love English? Too often, English is taught as a subject to pass—not a space to grow. But what if we reimagined it as a place for empathy, identity, and critical reflection? 📚 In my latest blog and Mindful Learning Podcast, I share 5 creative, inclusive strategies that help teenagers engage deeply with English through: ✔️ Reflective writing ✔️ Drama and performance ✔️ Racial and linguistic justice ✔️ Funds of knowledge pedagogy ✔️ Real-world empathy-building tasks These ideas are drawn from my chapter in Secondary English for Generation Alpha (Routledge, 2025), edited by the brilliant Lorna Smith—and my decades of teaching, writing, and listening to students. 🎧 If you’re a teacher, trainee, or parent looking to humanise your English classroom, this episode is packed with actionable inspiration. 🙏 With gratitude to Dr Maggie Pitfield (Goldsmiths) for her invaluable support and insight. 👉 Read the blog | Listen to the podcast | Share if this resonates #MindfulLearning #EnglishEducation #GenerationAlpha #LinguisticJustice #RacialLiteracy #DramaInEducation #CreativeWriting #TeacherLife #FrancisGilbert #InclusiveTeaching #Goldsmiths

  • Four Lessons from Meet the Kids at Theatre Peckham

    In May, I had the great pleasure of watching a bold, moving and beautifully realised new play by Desiri Okobia, a former Creative Writing student from Goldsmiths. It was one of those evenings that reminded me exactly why this work matters. The play created space for young voices to lead, with care, depth, and honesty. It was a celebration of talent, courage, and creative education at its best — and a moment to witness the remarkable impact of a gifted writer-educator coming into her own.

  • Five Key Things I Learned About Mental Health First Aid

    🧠 Just Completed Mental Health First Aid Training—Here’s What I Learned This week I completed the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course at Goldsmiths, led by the amazing Alicia Nagar (MHFA England). It was one of the most powerful, practical training experiences I’ve had in years. 💬 In just two days, I learned how to: Support people experiencing anxiety, depression, self-harm, psychosis, or trauma Respond with compassion, clarity, and boundaries Use the ALGEE framework to offer non-intrusive, trauma-aware help Understand how inequality impacts mental health Care for my own wellbeing as a supporter In my latest blog, I share 5 key takeaways from the course—plus why I think every educator and leader should consider MHFA training. ✨ I’ve trained in mindfulness and therapy before—but this offered something unique: A grounded, structured, deeply humane approach to supporting others in distress. 🙏 Huge thanks to Alicia and the team at Goldsmiths for making it possible. 👉 Read the blog for practical tools, reflections, and links to MHFA resources. #MentalHealthFirstAid #MHFA #WellbeingInEducation #TraumaInformedTeaching #MentalHealthAwareness #FrancisGilbert #Goldsmiths #MindfulLearning #TeacherWellbeing #ALGEE

  • Guerrilla CPD: Why Research-Informed Teacher Collaboration is the Future

    I co-wrote “Guerrilla CPD” with Debbie Bogard to shine a light on the power of informal, grassroots teacher development. Debbie is a brilliant, research-informed practitioner working in Further Education, and collaborating with her was both inspiring and energising. Together, we drew on our shared belief that CPD works best when it emerges organically—through dialogue, creativity, and mutual respect—not when it’s imposed from above. Our article explores how we developed a playful, teacher-led CPD programme during the pandemic, rooted in the radical pedagogies of Freire, hooks, and Fanon. It was a time of crisis, but also one of possibility. We found that when teachers are given space to reflect, write, share ideas, and challenge dominant norms—particularly around curriculum content and delivery—something transformative can happen. Working with Debbie reminded me that the future of professional development lies in collaboration between FE and HE, between practice and theory, and between colleagues who trust and challenge each other. In a profession increasingly shaped by surveillance and accountability metrics, these kinds of informal, friendship-driven partnerships may be our best hope for genuine change.

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