I am Alexander Davis.
I have been a huge fan of technology from a young age and I'm always looking out for the latest gadgets on the market.
This site is mainly to showcase my work with local organisations and companies around the West Midlands, most of which are based in Coventry.
If you would like more information about my work or you would like me to work with you, feel free to contact me!
Responsible for coordinating and delivering the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award across the academy, including student enrolment, section tracking, expedition planning, and staff training. Promotes leadership, resilience, and outdoor education through structured, inclusive opportunities.
Led the department through a successful Computing Quality Mark application, making the academy the second secondary school in the West Midlands to achieve the award. Overhauled the Key Stage 3, 4, and 5 curriculum to embed academic rigour and high expectations across all year groups. Oversaw significant reform of assessment practices within the subject, ensuring alignment with national standards and improved tracking of student progress.
Oversaw the strategic delivery of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at a certified centre. Managed compliance, staff coordination, safeguarding, and quality assurance across all award levels. Acted as the primary liaison with the DofE regional office, ensuring high standards of participation and achievement.
Created, developed and delivered appropriate Computing National Curriculum for the school and wider trust. Taken a pastoral role as a form tutor to engage with year 10 students delivering several PSHCE sessions which they are given the chance to voice their opinions of everyday issues. Primary teacher of Key Stage 3 Computing, Year 11 Computer Science and Year 12 BTEC IT students.
Helped lecturers within research projects. The main project developed and delivered a student support pack for students with learning difficulties such as Dyslexia and Dyspraxia.
Entered information that students have filled into their mid-module evaluations. Also linked these forms to the relevant modules and send the completed reports to the module coordinator.
Supported academic staff and fellow demonstrators with ensuring students were completing set work and assisting if they had questions. Provided in-depth support surrounding web design projects as part of their module including troubleshooting programming issues and errors encountered by students during lab sessions. Ensured electronic equipment was used correctly and completing basic troubleshooting if equipment did not work.
Supported customers requiring help on the checkouts, car park, cafe, dry cleaning and kiosk. Assisted Team Managers with the closedown, change runs and some of the administration work. Also dealt with personnel issues such as appraisals, disciplinary and general staffing issues.
Restocked shelves, reduce damaged items and process goods not for resale. Helped customers locate items that they require.
Collected baskets and trolleys around the premises and ensures that they are both clean and safe for the next customer. Required to work to tight deadlines during the evening to ensure that the next team could continue the work in a safe and clean environment.
Led groups with other members of the Church and previously helped lead the Sunday morning worship sessions. Within the week, helped plan and lead the main youth group for school years 7-11.
Effectively used information technology and information literacy skills to search for, exchange, process and evaluate information, framed and addressing problems, questions and issues. Demonstrated logical thought and the ability to form a clearly structured argument using established ideas and techniques of critical analysis and enquiry in
evaluating information, arguments and assumptions.
Vice-president of the Mental Health Awareness society in 2017-2018 planned and coordinated events across the university for students with a wide range of mental health and invisible illnesses.
Regular member of the Christian Union and helped them design and maintain their website. Co-founding President of BCU Mental Health Awareness contacting organisations and planning events with a team of students.
Units include: Data Analysis, Software Development, Computer and Network Fundamentals, IT Professionalism, Web Technologies and Open Source Systems.
10 GCSEs (or equivalent) incl. English, Maths and Science
3 A Levels (or equivalent) in IT (QCF), Computing and Product Design
CS:Box is an innovative educational tool designed to support the teaching of key concepts from the UK Computing Curriculum. Building on the foundations of Bit:Box, CS:Box expands its scope to cover a wider range of essential computing topics, providing an interactive and engaging experience for students.
> Read MoreCreates BCU Harvard web citations; built to replace RefME, Cite This For Me, and other broken tools.
RefME got bought out my Cite This For Me and CTFM is terrible as it doesn't have the BCU-customised Harvard Referencing System. Many of the other Referencing Managers aren't that good either. We decided to fix this problem once and for all.
It takes your input and converts the information you provide into a correctly formatted BCU Harvard citation - provided it's a web source.
A little bit of JS, loads of HTML, loads of CSS, loads of PHP, sprinkles of tears, a ton of swearing and loads of pain.
PHP. Indentation. Semi-colons. Enough said.
It works a lot better than we could have ever predicted.
Don't use PHP.
Extend it to other Referencing Systems and correct some of the design issues that are present. Also, finish actually building it.
Fast-paced CS quiz game for GCSE+ that tests code and theory using logic, speed, skill, and bluffing
I need to help my students revise for their exams... How do I do this?! They need to revise how to code and revise the theory... Why make an app in the language they learn... They look at the source code and play the game.
Play it and find out! Students can be so lazy at times...
With Visual Basic in Visual Studio using Visual Prompts using our eyes
Not using CSV... Then trying to use CSV... Then realising the CSV works but the rest of the code doesn't...
1) It is finished... 2) That is all.
CSV is always an option... Probably the best... Possibly the only option...
Create more questions to help them with their revision. Put it into my lessons and challenge higher ability students to try and create their own version of the game (some framework would be provided)
BCU campaign exploring mental health resources and real stories of depression, anxiety, and bipolar.
I Am Aware is a campaign run by BCU Mental Health Awareness that looks into the resources available for those living with mental health issues. The campaign also looks into the lives of people affected by mental health issues such as depression, Schizophrenia, anxiety disorders and Bipolar.
Platform for societies to manage sign-ups, send texts, and update info using PHP, SQL, and Nexmo API
Many students unions use a template for their websites which means that most of the time, these websites don't work. Society+ allows not only students to sign up to societies, but also allows the society's executive committee to manage membership, email and text society members and update information about the society.
Using our experience with HTML, CSS, PHP and MySQL, we worked within Atom to create the main interface and the online designs. We used an installation of PHPMyAdmin with a MySQL engine to create the database which would be linked to the website. We also used the Nexmo API to provide an SMS service for the website. This API uses PHP POSTs, curl scripts and JSON queries.
We originally used the Twilio API for our SMS services, however due to issues with their documentation and credit concerns, we switched to Nexmo which provided us with a fully comprehensive SMS API service.
The SMS sending page worked so well, I have started using the code for my own purposes.
Always read the API documentation beforehand!
Continued development so we have a fully finished, working product that universities may take lead from.
AI file sorter using Google NLP in C#. Auto-categorises any file. Awarded 3rd place at BullHacks 1.0
![Terminal-style logo for Sort.AI. A green monospaced font reads [$~] sort on a black background, resembling a command-line interface.](../../assets/img/projects/extracurricular/sort.ai/sort.ai_logo.webp?h=a198ffe5f200f284ee778dd6f7b1d741){kind=logo}
Sort.AI is an Windows service concept that sorts your files automatically using the Google Natural Language API. While doing coursework, I noticed that my file system could be abit more organised. Thats when my friend and I thought about using AI to organise our systems so we don't have to. That's where Sort.AI comes, inspired from the winner of BrumHack 5.0 who used the Google Natural Language API.
Sort.AI is told where your 'Sort Bin' is and opens each text document and places it into the correct location. For example a document about Dogs would go into the Animals folder.
Using our experience with C# and knowledge within the Google Cloud API, we worked within the Visual Studio 2017 IDE to create both the form interface and the Windows Service. Unfortunately due to many things out of our hands we were unable to complete the Windows service. However, parts of the implementation have been included already, for example, the notification tray icon appearing and the ability to minimize to tray. We also used the Google Cloud API libraries to create our code.
Everything! Literally everything, whether it was the API not connecting or the Windows service not running we came across many challenges while creating Sort.AI. Each of us had some form of battle whether it was against Visual Studio, GitHub or even the Google API. We collectively made decisions on how to tackle these issues including at times even swapping jobs around.
Being able to understand the Google API a bit better and design methods where we can utilise the API for the general market.
If in doubt, Google's about!
We will possibly begin to develop on the idea after BullHacks however due to other commitments and projects this may be unlikely but we might regroup and focus on working on this product in the near future.
Business task manager with secure login, file upload area, MySQL. Awarded 3rd place at BrumHack 5.0.
Interactive poem entry for BCU Christian Union art competition displayed in binary format & QR code.
Written in February 2017 for an art competition for BCU Christian Union's Missions Week "Where is Identity Found?". I created a QR code that would take the user to a website which will offer a selection of the poem in multiple formats including a binary format. In the gallery, the piece was displayed in the binary format with the QR code at the bottom of the piece.
Educational device, app, and website using switches and lights to visually demonstrate binary logic.
Bit:Box is an evolution of the Binary Light Box concept, a device which used lightbulbs and an Arduino microcontroller to visually demonstrate how binary numbers work and the values assigned to each binary column. By interacting with the light switches, students could better understand the concepts of binary counting, place values, and logic.
The Binary Light Box was created to teach SEND students how binary works using physical lightbulbs and switches. The device was comprised of an MDF body with a black vinyl layer on the top. Inside the box was a micro:bit and several breakout boards to allow the device to sense when a switch was toggled and update a seven segment display to show the user the output.
Interactive educational tool expanding Bit:Box to include additional UK Computing Curriculum topics.
CS:Box is an innovative educational tool designed to support the teaching of key concepts from the UK Computing Curriculum. Building on the foundations of Bit:Box, CS:Box expands its scope to cover a wider range of essential computing topics, providing an interactive and engaging experience for students.
CS:Box is more than a collection of interactive tools — it is a guided learning experience for students to understand complex computing concepts. By combining hands-on manipulation with visual feedback, it provides a scaffolded learning approach for students at different stages of their educational journey.
App simplifying BCU mental health support, linking students to counsellors, emergency calls, forums.
The current BCU mental health and wellbeing service requires a lot of steps which can discourage students from reuqesting assistance.
My Mind simplifies this process and allows staff to easily manage their appointments and give the efficient support that both the university and students need.
The cuts from BCU towards the student affairs department will directly affect the current system and make it harder for students to get support.
Windows app to record bird sightings during walks. Submitted as a final year computing project task.
Achieved a D Grade (47%)
A local naturalist wishes to log nature sightings during walks. The original project looks at developing a windows application that connects to an online database which will allow further deveopment of the project to allow other users to be able to view other peoples sightings. A future project would create a mobile application vserion of the project which will utilise mobile data on devices.
iOS app based on BrumHack 5.0 entry. Helps businesses manage, assign, and track their project tasks.
The aim is to create a mobile version of Task Master, an online application that allowed businesses to create and manage projects and tasks. Task Master was originally created at BrumHack 5.0 and came 3rd in the competition. Users will be able to create, update and track tasks within a specified project. Users will also be able to delegate tasks to other users on the apps database
Showreel of production projects, with playlist featuring filming, editing, directing, and post work.
Above is the playlist containing all of my work. feel free to view as much as you like to see the wide rage of production projects I have participated in.
Responsive WordPress site for BCUCU with event listings, embeds, and admin access to update content.
In March 2015, I was approached by the Vice President for Birmingham City University's Christian Union to design their new online presence. The project was completed in June 2015.
The website utilises embeds from other services such as Vimeo, YouTube, ISSU, Google Services and Facebook. The website also has an events system which the exec can update themselves by logging onto the administration areas. The main framework is based on a modified installation of WordPress with a modified version of the Hemmingway Rewritten Theme.
The society were asked to shut down the website as new rules from the students union were put into place in July 2016.
Responsive WordPress site for BCU Dis.Cover with events, admin panel, and Facebook plus Maps embeds.
In Summer 2015, I was offered the position of Marketing Director for the Birmingham City University Dis.Cover society. The society was relaunching with a new exec committee over freshers week and my first task as Marketing Director was to design a website using the logos and colour scheme provided.
The website utilises other services such as Google Maps and Facebook. The website also has an events system which the exec can update themselves by logging onto the administration areas. The main framework is based on a modified installation of WordPress with a modified version of the ColourSnap Theme.
The society were asked to shut down the website as new rules from the students union were put into place in July 2016.
Responsive WordPress site for BCU Mental Health Awareness with events, media, updates, and info hub.
In June 2016, I was selected and asked to become the president of a new society at Birmingam City University. In August 2016, BCU Mental Health Awareness was officialy formed with myself and 4 other members on the executive committiee and part of my objectives was to update and maintain a website that was formed when the campaign team was originally formed.
Part of my time as president, I commissioned several pieces of work including a new logo and a 30 minute documentary discussing people living with and around mental health issues.
Frizzle.TV promo content and mockups created using Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Photoshop tools.
In September 2014, a new YouTube channel launched called The New Way To Shop (now known as Frizzle.TV). I was asked to create the first web show and promotional material for the channel.
I used Premiere Pro CC to produce and edit the majority of these videos with other Adobe tools such as After Effects and Photoshop to produce aspects and elements of these videos.
More of my work can be viewed within my Showreel
Responsive site for Peter Bell Music featuring embeds, music portfolio, and future e-commerce tools.
In September 2015, I was approached by a Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Composition Student asking to design their website. The project is still ongoing however has started its final stages of quality control.
I used the WordPress publishing framework with a modified version of the Astra Theme as the student wanted to add their own content as and when it became available. The website also utilises embeds from in-house multimedia platforms and Facebook.
The second phase of this web design project marks a major transformation: a complete redesign and rebuild of the website to support online sales of custom-made pieces. This stage focuses on creating a seamless and visually compelling e-commerce experience, allowing users to browse, select, and purchase works directly through the site. Platforms for the online store are currently being reviewed to ensure the final solution aligns with both creative goals and business needs, with scalability and ease of use as key priorities.
Owing to other professional commitments, I stepped away from the project and handed it back to the client to oversee its further development and completion.
Site for St Thomas’ Church with parish news, historic archives, and searchable burial record access.
In April 2014, the Vicar at St Thomas’ Church Keresley asked me to redesign their website using an easily updateable package. The website took 6 months to complete and was finally completed in November 2014. Subsequent redesigns of the website were completed in 2019, 2023 with ongoing tweaks and modifications starting in 2025.
The main website framework is the latest version of WordPress with a modified theme.
Phase 2 included the digitisation and upload of the parish archives dating back from the mid 1800s and utilises an in-house magazine reading platform for all of its publications.
The archives section of the website also includes burial registers up to the mid-1990s and allows visitors to search available registers.
Following the coronavirus lockdown in 2020, the church signed up to the Church of England’s Digital Charter which includes upgrades to their online presence including plans to introduce guest internet access within centres, online access to servcies (currently through recorded services but live streamed services are planned for the near future), upgrades to internet connectivity within centres (including a mesh wifi system in each centre) and device upgrades in preperation for Windows 10 end of life date in October 2025.
Device upgrades were completed Easter 2025 while online presence upgrades are ongoing.
Codenamed Sunset, this phase marks the transition of the website back to the church team, empowering them to manage and update content independently with minimal external support. As part of this handover, the site is undergoing a full redesign and structural overhaul, moving away from WordPress to a lighter, more maintainable platform built in Bootstrap Studio. This change prioritises simplicity, performance, and long-term sustainability, ensuring the church can confidently maintain its online presence without relying on ongoing developer input.
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Mottashaw Consulting brochure site with Smart Forms, contact tools, and clearly structured services.
I was first approached by Mottashaw Consulting in July 2022 to create a professional online presence for their new consultancy business. The initial website was built using WordPress, providing a straightforward, easily manageable platform to showcase their services and contact details.
As part of their hosting renewal discussions in May 2025, we agreed to modernise and restructure the site using Bootstrap Studio. The new site retained the original structure but was rebuilt from the ground up for performance, maintainability, and flexibility. Smart Forms were integrated for reliable enquiries, and all content was reviewed for clarity and visual coherence.
The updated site was completed in July 2025 and formally handed back to the client. The new version is lightweight, responsive, and fully independent of external CMS platforms, allowing Mottashaw Consulting to maintain their web presence with minimal ongoing support.
Firstly, I would like to state that these have been the longest and busiest 3 years of my life and career. From starting this course during COVID lockdowns to changing job and school partway through and to having to retake a full year just to get things perfect. Knowing all of this beforehand would have probably put me off doing this course but I must admit this has allowed me to grow and develop my practice and relationships with those who matter the most. I would like to thank the my friends and support tutors for their ongoing and unconditional support throughout my masters journey:
A special thank you goes to Keziah, Keith, Emma and the amazing team at my school for providing me with a warm welcome and the incredible support and guidance I needed to become a committed and confident teacher and head of department. Thank you also for reigniting the flame within me which drives my passion for teaching.
Secondly, I would like to thank those who have been with me throughout the studies. Linda has played a massive role in my Masters journey. She has always made sure that me disabilities do not prevent me from studying and end up with incomplete or substandard work. Her incredible emotional intelligence picks up on when I am not feeling great and she has on multiple occasions diverted my focus or re-directed me a different task what I would be able to complete in a large variety of mindsets. Without Linda, and her drive to get the best out of everyone, I would not be in a position to say I completed a Masters level degree and be confident that I earned the qualification. Candida joined my journey towards the last few months of the dissertation yet it has felt like she had always been part of the journey; the study skills and techniques I discussed, practiced and trialled with her guidance not only helped me focus and progress, but are now a vital toolkit for the students I teach in schools.
Thirdly, yes thirdly, I want to thank the two wonderful Neurodivergence Coaches I have worked with over the past 2 years. Laura and Julie have worked on the work side of things making sure I am not overwhelmed with live, the universe and everything within it. Laura has watched me go into a new, much bigger role in a new environment and watched as I didn't crash and burn. Much to the surprise and amazement of me! Undertsanding the neruodiverse needs I have as my career and teaching practice develops and flourish to become what BCU originally told me I would be come back in 2018; Committed, Creative, Confident. Laura has allowed me to be more confident in my work and understand how and why I think things in a certain way. Our sessions have allowed me to implement a number of coping strategies to bring me down from times where I am experiencing a high amount of anxiety and stress and she has always been able to be the voice of reasoning so I can respond to the more challenging areas of my work. I would not have been able to complete my Masters studies as well as be able to apply for promotion in my area of expertise without Laura's help, support and guidance.
Finally, I want to dedicate this dissertation my my partner, Lyall. Thank you for being my rock through my studies and somehow being the sane one out of the two of us.
After a year of big changes: marriage, a name change, and the end of my NPQLT. I’ve started migrating every part of my digital life. From leaving the Apple ecosystem to rebuilding my online presence under mrlyall.co.uk, this post dives into what’s changing, what’s staying, and why it’s time for the Davis identity to be gracefully relegated. Same me, just a little more Lyall-logical.
I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a few years now, and this finally seems like the right time to take action.
Note to self: I really need to post here more often! It’s been a whirlwind since my last update. Between chasing rapid grade improvements for our Year 11s, general OFSTED prep, onboarding a new team member, and—yes—rewriting the Key Stage 3 curriculum (again), I’ve completely lost track of time.
I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a few years now, and this finally seems like the right time to take action.
I’ve always been deeply passionate about web design and building modern, dynamic websites for people. I’ve always found it fun - even in those moments when I wanted to tear my hair out over it. Now that my 30th birthday is this week, I’ve taken some time to reflect on what I’ve built (literally).
To be honest, web design has always been a passion project. No matter how I ended up in the depths of web development, it’s something I turn to when I need a break. That’s how this whole website came together over Easter!
But now, looking back - not just at web design but at my life in general - I realize there are commitments, and people, that I need to let go of. Some relationships have naturally run their course, while others were never meant to take the path they did in the first place. Keeping certain people around has only drained my energy, and in some cases, they’ve been outright toxic to have in my life. It’s time to make the conscious choice to step away - just because I'm done giving my time and energy to people who have never deserved it in the first place. Normally, this kind of reflection might signal a midlife crisis for a man my age, but that’s not the case here. I’m not writing this to announce that I’m about to jump into every harebrained scheme or viral trend, nor am I declaring an intent to become a social recluse. This post is about something better - something I need to get off my chest once and for all.
I started getting into web design around sixteen years ago. At one point, I was juggling up to six websites at once - not including my own sites, my portfolio, Anything But IE (my blog site), or anything I created at a hackathon. Today, I still maintain two core websites for other people, but I’ve felt locked into them - and not in a good way.
Starting July 1st, all ongoing web design projects will enter their “Sunsetting Phase”. This means that in their next big phase, I will slowly and eventually withdraw my involvement. While I’ll still be available for consulting, that’s not something I’m willing or offering to everyone I’ve worked with. Alongside stepping back from web projects, I also intend to distance myself from certain friendships - especially those that have become one-sided, draining, or outright damaging. Whether it’s the feeling of having to force a conversation, being treated like an afterthought, or only being contacted when someone wants something, I’ve recognized that some relationships aren’t worth holding onto. This isn’t about resentment - it’s about finally prioritizing my own well-being.
Now, I’m not saying I’m done with web design. Far from it! This current website was hastily thrown together, and now I’m paying the price for it. Seriously, what in the ADHD possessed me to pay for a Squarespace website? Given all my financial commitments, it was a reckless expense. My new site will be built using HTML, Bootstrap, and a few old friends along the way (JavaScript being one of them). It’ll have similar - if not identical - features, but at a fraction of the cost. The new site launches on July 1st: new website, new me, and all that.
Well, my existing partners will be informed today - whether directly or simply by reading this blog post (inconsiderate, I know!). Given the sacrifices that this decision requires, I hope those who receive this blog post instead of a personal message understand. I’d like to say it’s nothing personal - but if I’m being honest, it probably is.
After my birthday, I’ll be working toward my July 1st goal. Anything hosted on my servers - or servers I pay for - will be permanently taken offline. My personal sites will move to my private servers to cut costs. Any projects that were mid-redesign may need to reset and restart without me. I know the church website will remain on my plate for another nine months - it’s a huge job, and migrating everything won’t be quick or easy. There’s one site I haven’t publicly mentioned; that website will be redesigned and relaunched on a new web host as a static HTML site with little to no updates required (I might be nice and update the copyright date once a year).
It’s strange to say, but I can’t wait to get this burden off me - once and for all…
After a year of big changes: marriage, a name change, and the end of my NPQLT. I’ve started migrating every part of my digital life. From leaving the Apple ecosystem to rebuilding my online presence under mrlyall.co.uk, this post dives into what’s changing, what’s staying, and why it’s time for the Davis identity to be gracefully relegated. Same me, just a little more Lyall-logical.
Note to self: I really need to post here more often! It’s been a whirlwind since my last update. Between chasing rapid grade improvements for our Year 11s, general OFSTED prep, onboarding a new team member, and—yes—rewriting the Key Stage 3 curriculum (again), I’ve completely lost track of time.
A lot has changed since my last ramble on here. First off, I have finally rid myself of that dark and questionnable realm that is Twittter (I will call it that until Elon finally gives up his X fettish). I left mainly because I planned to do it years back but never fully committed.
I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a few years now, and this finally seems like the right time to take action.
I’ve always been deeply passionate about web design and building modern, dynamic websites for people. I’ve always found it fun - even in those moments when I wanted to tear my hair out over it. Now that my 30th birthday is this week, I’ve taken some time to reflect on what I’ve built (literally).
To be honest, web design has always been a passion project. No matter how I ended up in the depths of web development, it’s something I turn to when I need a break. That’s how this whole website came together over Easter!
But now, looking back - not just at web design but at my life in general - I realize there are commitments, and people, that I need to let go of. Some relationships have naturally run their course, while others were never meant to take the path they did in the first place. Keeping certain people around has only drained my energy, and in some cases, they’ve been outright toxic to have in my life. It’s time to make the conscious choice to step away - just because I'm done giving my time and energy to people who have never deserved it in the first place. Normally, this kind of reflection might signal a midlife crisis for a man my age, but that’s not the case here. I’m not writing this to announce that I’m about to jump into every harebrained scheme or viral trend, nor am I declaring an intent to become a social recluse. This post is about something better - something I need to get off my chest once and for all.
I started getting into web design around sixteen years ago. At one point, I was juggling up to six websites at once - not including my own sites, my portfolio, Anything But IE (my blog site), or anything I created at a hackathon. Today, I still maintain two core websites for other people, but I’ve felt locked into them - and not in a good way.
Starting July 1st, all ongoing web design projects will enter their “Sunsetting Phase”. This means that in their next big phase, I will slowly and eventually withdraw my involvement. While I’ll still be available for consulting, that’s not something I’m willing or offering to everyone I’ve worked with. Alongside stepping back from web projects, I also intend to distance myself from certain friendships - especially those that have become one-sided, draining, or outright damaging. Whether it’s the feeling of having to force a conversation, being treated like an afterthought, or only being contacted when someone wants something, I’ve recognized that some relationships aren’t worth holding onto. This isn’t about resentment - it’s about finally prioritizing my own well-being.
Now, I’m not saying I’m done with web design. Far from it! This current website was hastily thrown together, and now I’m paying the price for it. Seriously, what in the ADHD possessed me to pay for a Squarespace website? Given all my financial commitments, it was a reckless expense. My new site will be built using HTML, Bootstrap, and a few old friends along the way (JavaScript being one of them). It’ll have similar - if not identical - features, but at a fraction of the cost. The new site launches on July 1st: new website, new me, and all that.
Well, my existing partners will be informed today - whether directly or simply by reading this blog post (inconsiderate, I know!). Given the sacrifices that this decision requires, I hope those who receive this blog post instead of a personal message understand. I’d like to say it’s nothing personal - but if I’m being honest, it probably is.
After my birthday, I’ll be working toward my July 1st goal. Anything hosted on my servers - or servers I pay for - will be permanently taken offline. My personal sites will move to my private servers to cut costs. Any projects that were mid-redesign may need to reset and restart without me. I know the church website will remain on my plate for another nine months - it’s a huge job, and migrating everything won’t be quick or easy. There’s one site I haven’t publicly mentioned; that website will be redesigned and relaunched on a new web host as a static HTML site with little to no updates required (I might be nice and update the copyright date once a year).
It’s strange to say, but I can’t wait to get this burden off me - once and for all…
After a year of big changes: marriage, a name change, and the end of my NPQLT. I’ve started migrating every part of my digital life. From leaving the Apple ecosystem to rebuilding my online presence under mrlyall.co.uk, this post dives into what’s changing, what’s staying, and why it’s time for the Davis identity to be gracefully relegated. Same me, just a little more Lyall-logical.
I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a few years now, and this finally seems like the right time to take action.
Note to self: I really need to post here more often! It’s been a whirlwind since my last update. Between chasing rapid grade improvements for our Year 11s, general OFSTED prep, onboarding a new team member, and—yes—rewriting the Key Stage 3 curriculum (again), I’ve completely lost track of time.
A major investment in technology can have big benefits for staff and students alike – but you need to know how to test and implement it to ensure bang for your IT buck, as this former IT professional turned teacher explains.
After a year of big changes: marriage, a name change, and the end of my NPQLT. I’ve started migrating every part of my digital life. From leaving the Apple ecosystem to rebuilding my online presence under mrlyall.co.uk, this post dives into what’s changing, what’s staying, and why it’s time for the Davis identity to be gracefully relegated. Same me, just a little more Lyall-logical.
I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a few years now, and this finally seems like the right time to take action.
Note to self: I really need to post here more often! It’s been a whirlwind since my last update. Between chasing rapid grade improvements for our Year 11s, general OFSTED prep, onboarding a new team member, and—yes—rewriting the Key Stage 3 curriculum (again), I’ve completely lost track of time.
I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a few years now, and this finally seems like the right time to take action.
I’ve always been deeply passionate about web design and building modern, dynamic websites for people. I’ve always found it fun - even in those moments when I wanted to tear my hair out over it. Now that my 30th birthday is this week, I’ve taken some time to reflect on what I’ve built (literally).
To be honest, web design has always been a passion project. No matter how I ended up in the depths of web development, it’s something I turn to when I need a break. That’s how this whole website came together over Easter!
But now, looking back - not just at web design but at my life in general - I realize there are commitments, and people, that I need to let go of. Some relationships have naturally run their course, while others were never meant to take the path they did in the first place. Keeping certain people around has only drained my energy, and in some cases, they’ve been outright toxic to have in my life. It’s time to make the conscious choice to step away - just because I'm done giving my time and energy to people who have never deserved it in the first place. Normally, this kind of reflection might signal a midlife crisis for a man my age, but that’s not the case here. I’m not writing this to announce that I’m about to jump into every harebrained scheme or viral trend, nor am I declaring an intent to become a social recluse. This post is about something better - something I need to get off my chest once and for all.
I started getting into web design around sixteen years ago. At one point, I was juggling up to six websites at once - not including my own sites, my portfolio, Anything But IE (my blog site), or anything I created at a hackathon. Today, I still maintain two core websites for other people, but I’ve felt locked into them - and not in a good way.
Starting July 1st, all ongoing web design projects will enter their “Sunsetting Phase”. This means that in their next big phase, I will slowly and eventually withdraw my involvement. While I’ll still be available for consulting, that’s not something I’m willing or offering to everyone I’ve worked with. Alongside stepping back from web projects, I also intend to distance myself from certain friendships - especially those that have become one-sided, draining, or outright damaging. Whether it’s the feeling of having to force a conversation, being treated like an afterthought, or only being contacted when someone wants something, I’ve recognized that some relationships aren’t worth holding onto. This isn’t about resentment - it’s about finally prioritizing my own well-being.
Now, I’m not saying I’m done with web design. Far from it! This current website was hastily thrown together, and now I’m paying the price for it. Seriously, what in the ADHD possessed me to pay for a Squarespace website? Given all my financial commitments, it was a reckless expense. My new site will be built using HTML, Bootstrap, and a few old friends along the way (JavaScript being one of them). It’ll have similar - if not identical - features, but at a fraction of the cost. The new site launches on July 1st: new website, new me, and all that.
Well, my existing partners will be informed today - whether directly or simply by reading this blog post (inconsiderate, I know!). Given the sacrifices that this decision requires, I hope those who receive this blog post instead of a personal message understand. I’d like to say it’s nothing personal - but if I’m being honest, it probably is.
After my birthday, I’ll be working toward my July 1st goal. Anything hosted on my servers - or servers I pay for - will be permanently taken offline. My personal sites will move to my private servers to cut costs. Any projects that were mid-redesign may need to reset and restart without me. I know the church website will remain on my plate for another nine months - it’s a huge job, and migrating everything won’t be quick or easy. There’s one site I haven’t publicly mentioned; that website will be redesigned and relaunched on a new web host as a static HTML site with little to no updates required (I might be nice and update the copyright date once a year).
It’s strange to say, but I can’t wait to get this burden off me - once and for all…
After a year of big changes: marriage, a name change, and the end of my NPQLT. I’ve started migrating every part of my digital life. From leaving the Apple ecosystem to rebuilding my online presence under mrlyall.co.uk, this post dives into what’s changing, what’s staying, and why it’s time for the Davis identity to be gracefully relegated. Same me, just a little more Lyall-logical.
I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a few years now, and this finally seems like the right time to take action.
Note to self: I really need to post here more often! It’s been a whirlwind since my last update. Between chasing rapid grade improvements for our Year 11s, general OFSTED prep, onboarding a new team member, and—yes—rewriting the Key Stage 3 curriculum (again), I’ve completely lost track of time.
The title says it all...
A lot has changed since my last ramble on here. First off, I have finally rid myself of that dark and questionable realm that is Twittter (I will call it that until Elon finally gives up his X fetish). I left mainly because I planned to do it years back but never fully committed. You can find me elsewhere on the web here.
I suppose the next change that I should acknowledge is the extended step back from the internet in general. In January, I had a pretty tough time with things and made the decision that it would be best if I locked everything down for a month while I focus on myself. That did a lot of good, but I don't plan to share what actually happened; and even if I wanted to, I don't think I would be allowed to discuss it. Let's just say, I was unwell and now I am better.
I also started my new ADHD treatment in September, essentially the same treatment but with a few more people watching in. This stuff is the good stuff! It means I can focus on working for a whole day now instead of just a few hours. I'm going onto my final test plan before going back into Shared Care, where my GP does most of the admin for my medication. Finding the right balance between focusing on work and relaxing is still something I am working on, but I am getting there!
I should probably mention what is going on with work, school. etc. Yes, I am still head of Computing at a secondary school but I am starting to think about my next stage of my career. This will be my 7th year of qualified teaching and as much as I love what I do, there are still things that cancel out the good.
This structure of performance managment and performance related pay, even though it is no longer compulsory, teaching staff are still feeling the effects of it today. My team and I have had to work damn hard these past few weeks and yet still, we have a million and one things left to do! One of my big concerns is that even though we are spending all hours of the day working to try and improve grades, we still get set up to fail by the sheer amount of students who want us to "just give out the pass", or by students who outright do not care about education, school or even employment. I still remember to this day a student telling me in my first year of teaching "I don't give a fuck about this, I'm waiting till 16 to go on the dole!". The student did give a fuck in the end, and they came out to be one of our big wins that academic year...
Even with the changes to my lifestyle, social life and the fact I am older and apparently more mature, the one thing that still makes me think of quitting teaching is the expectation that even though a student hands work in late, or even doesn't do it outright, they are expected to get the highest grades possible. And if they don't? All the blame lands on the teacher, not the student for being lazy.
That's enough of my rant for now, I guess I should prepare dinner and do some more planning.
Hopefully I won't leave it another year before I post...
After a year of big changes: marriage, a name change, and the end of my NPQLT. I’ve started migrating every part of my digital life. From leaving the Apple ecosystem to rebuilding my online presence under mrlyall.co.uk, this post dives into what’s changing, what’s staying, and why it’s time for the Davis identity to be gracefully relegated. Same me, just a little more Lyall-logical.
I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a few years now, and this finally seems like the right time to take action.
Note to self: I really need to post here more often! It’s been a whirlwind since my last update. Between chasing rapid grade improvements for our Year 11s, general OFSTED prep, onboarding a new team member, and—yes—rewriting the Key Stage 3 curriculum (again), I’ve completely lost track of time.
Note to self: I really need to post here more often! It’s been a whirlwind since my last update. Between chasing rapid grade improvements for our Year 11s, general OFSTED prep, onboarding a new team member, and—yes—rewriting the Key Stage 3 curriculum (again), I’ve completely lost track of time.
As ever, there's been a lot going on. That said, I’m seeing some encouraging signs: staff morale in the department is slowly but steadily on the rise. There’s still work to do, but we’re heading in the right direction. Our ongoing review of the Key Stage 4 curriculum is showing promising results too—early predictions for Year 10 outcomes suggest we’re building on the progress made with our outgoing Year 11s.
Behaviour-wise, the picture hasn’t been so rosy. Like many schools, we’ve seen an increase in challenges across both year groups. That said, we did get a bit of unexpected recognition—we were featured in a Channel 5 News story for "bucking the trend" on student behaviour. Nice to have some good news, even if it came from a surprising source.
But here’s the big one—the department achieved something huge recently: we’ve been awarded the Computing Quality Mark! 🎉
That makes us the second secondary school in the West Midlands to achieve it. It’s an external acknowledgment that what we do for our students—our curriculum design, our delivery, our intent—is aligned with what OFSTED would classify as at least Good. It’s a massive win for the team.
And yet… not a word from the headteacher. Not in a briefing, not in a staff bulletin—nothing. Meanwhile, at the end-of-term lunch, there was a whole speech about how OFSTED are “likely” to visit in the first few weeks back. That got all the airtime, while a nationally recognised mark of curriculum quality earned by the department? Radio silence. It’s frustrating, to say the least. I’ll leave it alone for now, but I do wonder how long it'll be before someone outside the department brings it up to SLT or the wider staff body.
Coming up next: we hit the ground running straight after Easter. Year 11s have their first exam the Thursday we return, so we’re hosting Easter revision sessions to give them the best shot at success in a supportive environment. I’m also planning pre-exam intervention sessions (two hours before the exam), and working out how we staff the Paper 2 exam in late May.
That last bit’s a delicate one—there’s often an assumption that staff are in the room to "support the students," but that’s not quite the case. I’ll need to have some tactful conversations to make sure expectations are clear without anyone feeling undermined.
And finally—I've been out visiting one of our feeder schools. Wow. That was a challenge. I'm tempted to write a separate post about it. But the short version? Digital literacy is clearly not a priority in many primary settings. Some of what I saw and heard made it crystal clear that we’re likely to face growing gaps in e-safety knowledge and digital skills among incoming Year 7s. Something to keep an eye on…
After a year of big changes: marriage, a name change, and the end of my NPQLT. I’ve started migrating every part of my digital life. From leaving the Apple ecosystem to rebuilding my online presence under mrlyall.co.uk, this post dives into what’s changing, what’s staying, and why it’s time for the Davis identity to be gracefully relegated. Same me, just a little more Lyall-logical.
I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a few years now, and this finally seems like the right time to take action.
A lot has changed since my last ramble on here. First off, I have finally rid myself of that dark and questionnable realm that is Twittter (I will call it that until Elon finally gives up his X fettish). I left mainly because I planned to do it years back but never fully committed.
I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a few years now, and this finally seems like the right time to take action.
I’ve always been deeply passionate about web design and building modern, dynamic websites for people. I’ve always found it fun - even in those moments when I wanted to tear my hair out over it. Now that my 30th birthday is this week, I’ve taken some time to reflect on what I’ve built (literally).
To be honest, web design has always been a passion project. No matter how I ended up in the depths of web development, it’s something I turn to when I need a break. That’s how this whole website came together over Easter!
But now, looking back - not just at web design but at my life in general - I realize there are commitments, and people, that I need to let go of. Some relationships have naturally run their course, while others were never meant to take the path they did in the first place. Keeping certain people around has only drained my energy, and in some cases, they’ve been outright toxic to have in my life. It’s time to make the conscious choice to step away - just because I'm done giving my time and energy to people who have never deserved it in the first place. Normally, this kind of reflection might signal a midlife crisis for a man my age, but that’s not the case here. I’m not writing this to announce that I’m about to jump into every harebrained scheme or viral trend, nor am I declaring an intent to become a social recluse. This post is about something better - something I need to get off my chest once and for all.
I started getting into web design around sixteen years ago. At one point, I was juggling up to six websites at once - not including my own sites, my portfolio, Anything But IE (my blog site), or anything I created at a hackathon. Today, I still maintain two core websites for other people, but I’ve felt locked into them - and not in a good way.
Starting July 1st, all ongoing web design projects will enter their “Sunsetting Phase”. This means that in their next big phase, I will slowly and eventually withdraw my involvement. While I’ll still be available for consulting, that’s not something I’m willing or offering to everyone I’ve worked with. Alongside stepping back from web projects, I also intend to distance myself from certain friendships - especially those that have become one-sided, draining, or outright damaging. Whether it’s the feeling of having to force a conversation, being treated like an afterthought, or only being contacted when someone wants something, I’ve recognized that some relationships aren’t worth holding onto. This isn’t about resentment - it’s about finally prioritizing my own well-being.
Now, I’m not saying I’m done with web design. Far from it! This current website was hastily thrown together, and now I’m paying the price for it. Seriously, what in the ADHD possessed me to pay for a Squarespace website? Given all my financial commitments, it was a reckless expense. My new site will be built using HTML, Bootstrap, and a few old friends along the way (JavaScript being one of them). It’ll have similar - if not identical - features, but at a fraction of the cost. The new site launches on July 1st: new website, new me, and all that.
Well, my existing partners will be informed today - whether directly or simply by reading this blog post (inconsiderate, I know!). Given the sacrifices that this decision requires, I hope those who receive this blog post instead of a personal message understand. I’d like to say it’s nothing personal - but if I’m being honest, it probably is.
After my birthday, I’ll be working toward my July 1st goal. Anything hosted on my servers - or servers I pay for - will be permanently taken offline. My personal sites will move to my private servers to cut costs. Any projects that were mid-redesign may need to reset and restart without me. I know the church website will remain on my plate for another nine months - it’s a huge job, and migrating everything won’t be quick or easy. There’s one site I haven’t publicly mentioned; that website will be redesigned and relaunched on a new web host as a static HTML site with little to no updates required (I might be nice and update the copyright date once a year).
It’s strange to say, but I can’t wait to get this burden off me - once and for all…
After a year of big changes: marriage, a name change, and the end of my NPQLT. I’ve started migrating every part of my digital life. From leaving the Apple ecosystem to rebuilding my online presence under mrlyall.co.uk, this post dives into what’s changing, what’s staying, and why it’s time for the Davis identity to be gracefully relegated. Same me, just a little more Lyall-logical.
I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a few years now, and this finally seems like the right time to take action.
Note to self: I really need to post here more often! It’s been a whirlwind since my last update. Between chasing rapid grade improvements for our Year 11s, general OFSTED prep, onboarding a new team member, and—yes—rewriting the Key Stage 3 curriculum (again), I’ve completely lost track of time.
I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a few years now, and this finally seems like the right time to take action.
I’ve always been deeply passionate about web design and building modern, dynamic websites for people. I’ve always found it fun - even in those moments when I wanted to tear my hair out over it. Now that my 30th birthday is this week, I’ve taken some time to reflect on what I’ve built (literally).
To be honest, web design has always been a passion project. No matter how I ended up in the depths of web development, it’s something I turn to when I need a break. That’s how this whole website came together over Easter!
But now, looking back - not just at web design but at my life in general - I realize there are commitments, and people, that I need to let go of. Some relationships have naturally run their course, while others were never meant to take the path they did in the first place. Keeping certain people around has only drained my energy, and in some cases, they’ve been outright toxic to have in my life. It’s time to make the conscious choice to step away - just because I'm done giving my time and energy to people who have never deserved it in the first place. Normally, this kind of reflection might signal a midlife crisis for a man my age, but that’s not the case here. I’m not writing this to announce that I’m about to jump into every harebrained scheme or viral trend, nor am I declaring an intent to become a social recluse. This post is about something better - something I need to get off my chest once and for all.
I started getting into web design around sixteen years ago. At one point, I was juggling up to six websites at once - not including my own sites, my portfolio, Anything But IE (my blog site), or anything I created at a hackathon. Today, I still maintain two core websites for other people, but I’ve felt locked into them - and not in a good way.
Starting July 1st, all ongoing web design projects will enter their “Sunsetting Phase”. This means that in their next big phase, I will slowly and eventually withdraw my involvement. While I’ll still be available for consulting, that’s not something I’m willing or offering to everyone I’ve worked with. Alongside stepping back from web projects, I also intend to distance myself from certain friendships - especially those that have become one-sided, draining, or outright damaging. Whether it’s the feeling of having to force a conversation, being treated like an afterthought, or only being contacted when someone wants something, I’ve recognized that some relationships aren’t worth holding onto. This isn’t about resentment - it’s about finally prioritizing my own well-being.
Now, I’m not saying I’m done with web design. Far from it! This current website was hastily thrown together, and now I’m paying the price for it. Seriously, what in the ADHD possessed me to pay for a Squarespace website? Given all my financial commitments, it was a reckless expense. My new site will be built using HTML, Bootstrap, and a few old friends along the way (JavaScript being one of them). It’ll have similar - if not identical - features, but at a fraction of the cost. The new site launches on July 1st: new website, new me, and all that.
Well, my existing partners will be informed today - whether directly or simply by reading this blog post (inconsiderate, I know!). Given the sacrifices that this decision requires, I hope those who receive this blog post instead of a personal message understand. I’d like to say it’s nothing personal - but if I’m being honest, it probably is.
After my birthday, I’ll be working toward my July 1st goal. Anything hosted on my servers - or servers I pay for - will be permanently taken offline. My personal sites will move to my private servers to cut costs. Any projects that were mid-redesign may need to reset and restart without me. I know the church website will remain on my plate for another nine months - it’s a huge job, and migrating everything won’t be quick or easy. There’s one site I haven’t publicly mentioned; that website will be redesigned and relaunched on a new web host as a static HTML site with little to no updates required (I might be nice and update the copyright date once a year).
It’s strange to say, but I can’t wait to get this burden off me - once and for all…
After a year of big changes: marriage, a name change, and the end of my NPQLT. I’ve started migrating every part of my digital life. From leaving the Apple ecosystem to rebuilding my online presence under mrlyall.co.uk, this post dives into what’s changing, what’s staying, and why it’s time for the Davis identity to be gracefully relegated. Same me, just a little more Lyall-logical.
I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a few years now, and this finally seems like the right time to take action.
Note to self: I really need to post here more often! It’s been a whirlwind since my last update. Between chasing rapid grade improvements for our Year 11s, general OFSTED prep, onboarding a new team member, and—yes—rewriting the Key Stage 3 curriculum (again), I’ve completely lost track of time.
Before I sucker punch my laptop for being slower than a three-toed Sloth as I hurriedly write the cover sheets for the rest of my lessons. I thought about what I need to do to thrive in my career.
Last night, I received a message on LinkedIn; usually these are just adverts asking my to buy their premium account but this one was had a subject that rang a bell, "Neurodiverse teacher - advice and support"
My brain immediately went, "they probably read my article in the TES" so I immediately dropped everything to read what they had to say. I am a rather vain person so was expecting them to be congratulating me on the article and ask me something trivial like "could you send me a link about Access to Work" or "have you heard of this awesome organisation that works with teachers", both of which are things I have received in the past. This message however made my heart sink...
As I'm not the sort of person to gossip or tell the world all the things I know about someone, I have removed all identifiable information about this person from this post. All you need to know is that they are an ECT (Early Career Teacher) and have only been a qualified teacher for just under a year. They had been struggling with a recent diagnosis and trying to make things work around it. They resorted to coming to me of all people for advice and support.
I immediately knew I was slightly out of my depth with what they needed so turned to Twitter to get some ideas. Again, my heart sank when even my own headteacher told me some home truths. There's NOTHING out there for you!
If you want something done, do it yourself
So that leave me with a tricky dilemma: do I ignore the issue at hand and hope someone else picks it up, or do I try and do something about supporting neurodiverse teachers and try to create a network that provides support?
This is something that obviously can't be done overnight however it would be essentially a massive overhaul of my career and could end up with me leaving teaching in a classroom, something I really don't want to leave behind.
I love teaching more than any other job I’ve had, but I’ve found the journey a lonely one.
This teacher who contacted me feels that their journey into teaching and their career is a lonely one. I wish I could do more to support neurodiverse teachers in making them aware they are not alone in this at all. I know I cannot do this on my own so through about what I could do now in the meantime. So I came up with a plan:
Obviously, the eagle-eyed among you will have noticed I have done steps 1 & 2 already. The aim of this blog is to look at how neurodiversity affects the education system, from a teachers perspective. It may even give some insight into what goes on in the head of someone who identifies that way. I must start writing more in this to allow me to consider my next step in a very complex industry.
My cover work is set, I hope my team can cope while I go home and rest. I feel rough!
After a year of big changes: marriage, a name change, and the end of my NPQLT. I’ve started migrating every part of my digital life. From leaving the Apple ecosystem to rebuilding my online presence under mrlyall.co.uk, this post dives into what’s changing, what’s staying, and why it’s time for the Davis identity to be gracefully relegated. Same me, just a little more Lyall-logical.
I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a few years now, and this finally seems like the right time to take action.
Note to self: I really need to post here more often! It’s been a whirlwind since my last update. Between chasing rapid grade improvements for our Year 11s, general OFSTED prep, onboarding a new team member, and—yes—rewriting the Key Stage 3 curriculum (again), I’ve completely lost track of time.
A lot has happened since my last update back in May; and that might be the understatement of the year.
First things first: I got married over the summer! What a relief that is. After years of planning (and a few spreadsheet-induced headaches), the big day finally arrived — on the exact date we got engaged seven years earlier. It was surreal, emotional, and everything we’d hoped for. There’s still a mountain of post-wedding admin to sort through, but the biggest event on our 2025 calendar is finally done and dusted.
In other news, I’ve officially begun migrating away from the Apple ecosystem starting with my phone and watch. Over the next 6–12 months (basically until the end of the 2025–26 academic year), I’ll be gradually removing Apple devices from my workflow.
My iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirTags have already gone. I’m currently living tagless, though I’ve been eyeing up Pebblebee as a replacement system. The only issue is cost; £200 worth of tags isn’t cheap, so that upgrade may need to wait a month or two.
I’m still clinging onto my AirPods and AirPods Pro for now, but I’m hoping to unwrap a pair of Fairphone Buds at Christmas (hint, hint).
This month I also completed my National Professional Qualification in Leading Teaching (NPQLT) — and honestly, I couldn’t be happier to see it finished.
If I’m being completely truthful, I didn’t enjoy it at all. The course felt like a relentless tick-box exercise, full of recycled jargon and theoretical frameworks that rarely translate into the realities of the classroom. What was supposed to be a programme about leadership and improving teaching too often turned into an exercise in writing essays that satisfied a rubric rather than genuinely developing practice.
It reminded me quite starkly that the education and CPD system is broken. There’s so much focus on formality, templates, and “evidence of impact,” yet so little room for professional curiosity, creativity, or reflection that actually changes what happens for students day to day.
That said, I poured a huge amount of time and effort into it. My final assessment went in at the start of October, and now it’s just a waiting game until results arrive (probably February). Whether I pass or not, I’m just relieved it’s over, and even more convinced that the profession deserves a better model of professional growth than this.
Before we even got together, I always knew I wanted to change my surname. The number of times educated professionals managed to misspell it, even when it was right there in the email address, was infuriating.
So, from 1st September 2025, the start of this academic year, my original surname has been relegated to middle-name status, and Lyall has taken its rightful place as my surname. It feels right, it looks right, and when people inevitably misspell it, at least I won’t sound quite so pretentious correcting them.
As part of my wider migration, I’ve also changed my phone number for the first time in over 15 years. My old number ending in 8000 has officially been retired (RIP; it was short, snappy, and easy to remember).
I’ve also switched networks: goodbye EE, hello Co-op Mobile. Ironically, Co-op still runs on EE’s infrastructure, so nothing’s changed except the monthly bill which, honestly, is fine by me.
The name change sparked a full-blown administrative marathon. Updating my government ID was chaotic as it took over two months and featured yet another spelling error (proof my old surname was cursed).
Thankfully, everything’s now corrected, and I finally have official ID that spells my name consistently across all records.
That delay, however, caused a domino effect with a few side projects, particularly my application to formally join the Air Cadets at school. Now that my paperwork is in order, I’ve completed the application and had my interview.
It was intense! They grilled me about my background, experience, motivations, and even quizzed me on RAF and RAFAC knowledge. I can’t say much about the outcome just yet, but it was positive. Let’s just say there’s a good chance you’ll be hearing from Acting Sergeant Lyall before long.
A little backstory for those who’ve not known me long…
When I first started building websites, and especially during university, I became something of a domain-name hoarder. At one point, I owned so many domains that I needed a spreadsheet just to keep track. When I became a teacher, I did a massive clear-out. But, over time, the collection has crept back up again (old habits die hard).
Now that my name change is official, it feels like the right time to consolidate and rebuild my online presence.
I’ve recently registered two new domains:
I intentionally registered both to avoid any confusion over whether the site was .co.uk or .uk. Going forward, I’ll be using mrlyall.co.uk as my primary domain, with the .uk version redirecting to it. It keeps things neat, consistent, and avoids any “which one do I type?” moments.
That brings me up to seven active domains overall, so an audit is definitely due to decide what stays, what goes, and what gets redirected.
Of course, a few of those domains will never be mentioned publicly. Some are reserved for internal use within my homelab and digital infrastructure, and others for future personal projects.
My current flagship site, mrdaviscsit.uk, is already renewed until October 2027, but over time it will gradually hand over duties to mrlyall.co.uk as my primary domain. By that point, the Davis identity will be formally relegated in favour of Lyall.
This blog will move too, separating my personal site, professional portfolio, and web services properly at last.
One thing that won’t be changing is ADCM.
I can’t bring myself to rename it to ALCM, it just doesn’t look right. Besides, migrating every email address and service again would be a logistical nightmare.
The last big switch (back in 2020) took months, and some systems still haven’t caught up. So ADCM and ADCM Networks will remain proudly untouched throughout this migration.
The main delay now is simply time and planning. I need to map out which domains go where, what gets archived, and how the new structure will fit together. You’ll likely notice gradual changes across my portfolio, websites, and digital footprint over the coming months as I transition everything to Lyall.
This isn’t just about changing devices or domain names. It’s about simplifying my digital life aligning my online identity with who I am today and who I’m becoming.
So yes: a new surname, a new setup, and a new direction.
Same me, just a little more Lyall-logical.
I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a few years now, and this finally seems like the right time to take action.
Note to self: I really need to post here more often! It’s been a whirlwind since my last update. Between chasing rapid grade improvements for our Year 11s, general OFSTED prep, onboarding a new team member, and—yes—rewriting the Key Stage 3 curriculum (again), I’ve completely lost track of time.
A lot has changed since my last ramble on here. First off, I have finally rid myself of that dark and questionnable realm that is Twittter (I will call it that until Elon finally gives up his X fettish). I left mainly because I planned to do it years back but never fully committed.
One neurodiverse teacher explains the challenges they have faced in the job application and interview process – and shares advice for schools to make their recruitment as inclusive as possible.
After a year of big changes: marriage, a name change, and the end of my NPQLT. I’ve started migrating every part of my digital life. From leaving the Apple ecosystem to rebuilding my online presence under mrlyall.co.uk, this post dives into what’s changing, what’s staying, and why it’s time for the Davis identity to be gracefully relegated. Same me, just a little more Lyall-logical.
I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a few years now, and this finally seems like the right time to take action.
Note to self: I really need to post here more often! It’s been a whirlwind since my last update. Between chasing rapid grade improvements for our Year 11s, general OFSTED prep, onboarding a new team member, and—yes—rewriting the Key Stage 3 curriculum (again), I’ve completely lost track of time.
![Terminal-style logo for Sort.AI. A green monospaced font reads [$~] sort on a black background, resembling a command-line interface.](../assets/img/projects/extracurricular/sort.ai/sort.ai_logo.webp?h=a198ffe5f200f284ee778dd6f7b1d741){kind=logo}
![Terminal-style logo for Sort.AI. A green monospaced font reads [$~] sort on a black background, resembling a command-line interface.](assets/img/projects/extracurricular/sort.ai/sort.ai_logo.webp?h=a198ffe5f200f284ee778dd6f7b1d741){kind=logo}
