Just because we give it another name it doesn't change what it actually is.

There are a growing number of children within our education system who are being left behind. They are the children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) whose needs affect their everyday life and every aspect of their education, but who are not ‘severe’ enough to access specialist provision. They are the children whose parents are told by SENCOs “oh they muddle along just fine!” Or “Oh I didn’t know about them, they weren’t on my radar” (yes, both of th

Trigger Warning! This contains terms you may find offensive I know that in writing this particular blog I am glazing over the whole topic of ‘Labels,’ but I think that is one for another day. In writing this I consulted with young people awaiting autism assessments. I asked if there were any terms associated with autism which bothered them. The answer was a resounding, no. I find that quite interesting in itself as there is a fantastic amount of literature available to the

I think one of the biggest problems in modern life, and I don’t just mean in education, is that far to often we are listened to but not heard. It’s very true in classrooms. As teachers we are taught to teach to the neuro-diverse students in the room. It is meticulously explained that by making our lessons accessible to the autistics in the room or engaging for the ADHD brigade, as a teacher you will have built a lesson (at least in theory) which will benefit every student y

So, it’s the time of year when we parents may find ourselves summoned into new educational environments; high schools, primary schools, colleges… I was deployed to a High School. I have opinions but I kept them in check. I don’t want to be that parent. Also, I’m generally happy with the school my son got in the joyous draw, so I don’t really want to make waves. And I don’t want to be THAT parent. The head gave her little speech. Then another member of officer cadre steppe

In case you missed the news, the weather, the actual conditions outside… It is HOT! Now I don’t mind the heat, even as a natural ginger. Maybe it is because I spent a summer working the kitchens of Sydney. I love it. I can work in the coolest room with all the fans if I wish to. This is not always the case in schools. Once upon a time, I was asked to observe an English literature class for year 11s. It was September and it was very warm. The windows which filled one wall

I posted this blog a little while ago. It reflects some of my opinions about AI and Teaching. Somehow, between me writing the anecdote and it being published the whole texted was replaced by generic AI generated filler. Back in your box, Skynet. Once upon a time, a few years ago, a national recruitment company with a well-respected educational division approached me about providing online tuition. We scheduled an interview. As always in these conversations, I have at leas

I can’t help but think that when this government came up with the idea of revoking charitable status for fee-paying schools that they envisioned something similar to my expectations. I doubt they built a carefully modelled simulation which I would like to think I would have done in their position, though I admit I probably would have just gone with my assumptions. My assumption was that these schools turned a decent profit and that the tax burden would eat slightly into said

Have you ever heard of The Dunning Kruger Effect? If you’ve not you should look it up. It’s a bit like “The Game*,” because once you know about it you see it EVERYWHERE. In a nutshell it is the idea that ignorance can equate to certainty. I find it distressing when I am confronted by it. It’s frustrating to discuss something with someone who is so adamant and unshakeable in their belief. “Rape seed oil is bad for you,” I was told. It’s not. I explained that it contains natura

"Did you used to teach in Bury St Edmunds? "Your food tech lessons were great! They really inspired me" Well, thank you, I said to the young man who had accosted me as I walked my daughter to the bus. I asked what brought him to Yorkshire. I didn't ask why he was carrying a chicken costume. That seemed obvious to me. "University." Yes indeed, and one of The Russel Group to boot! Are you studying food, I asked. "Nah, history." Ah well, can't claim much credit there, but it's n

"I was pulled out of mainstream education and into an online school. This was possibly the best decision that could’ve been made."

What get's you out of bed in the morning? For me it's the students I get to work with. I don't think there are many teachers who get to enjoy such positive students interactions. I know I didn't when I taught in Mainstream schools. I feel like I've traded up. These days I get told, by students, that I'm good at what I do. I like that! I much prefer it to some of the things I've been called in schools! I won't post them here but feel to drop me a line and I shall share my pers

In the seventies and eighties, being physically impaired automatically served as license for teachers, and pupils alike; to brand a child as stupid. The best way to avoid being the target of this behaviour: to pretend that I wasn’t disabled. But it was a continuous, exhausting task of cat and mouse. Whilst I have always considered myself lucky, my cerebral palsy only affects my right-hand-side, concealing half an awkward flinching body, and gait became a constant additional t

I have a real passion for words and one of the best things about teaching English in the age of the internet is being able to work with students and say, "I wonder if there is a specific term for that..." Through one of these discussions I discovered the word "Chremamorphism." Chremamorphism is a literary technique where human beings are portrayed with characteristics of inanimate objects or machines. As the opposite of personification, it often serves to dehumanize, objectif

I've just finished reading an article in the Guardian Online by Amanda Ulrich about Mars College. I would encourage you to do the same. It details an alternative form of education delivered in at a desolate dessert campus miles from anywhere. The reason this article resonated with me however was not the hippy isolationism (that being said I live in a farm house miles from anywhere) but the attitude to learning and education. The idea that everyone is a student and everyone is

A Short, True Story When I was doing my teacher training I was on a placement in a school. I was in the prep room in the science department discussing a lesson I had just delivered. I was speaking to the host teacher. I said that Student A had had a particularly good lesson and that she was making great progress. The host teacher paused, looked at me and asked who I was talking about. I described the young lady and the more experienced teacher who was supposed to be guiding a

I suppose I would describe myself as an outspoken critic of the education system. I myself have chosen not to work in mainstream education believing that I can help students more effectively on a one-to-one and small group basis. Additionally, I have chosen for two of my own children to follow the home education route. But is home education the best route for the thousands of parents opting for that route? There have been recent policy changes which empower local authorities

So, it's April Fool's day. I thought you might appreciate these humorous test and exam answers. To be honest some of them are very clever, others a exploiting poorly worded questions. A couple took me a while to see what other answer could possibly have been given. I've put an amuse bouche below; click it to go through to Dave Stopera's curated collection on Buzz Feed

I get asked this question almost everyday but what's more I ask MYSELF this question everyday. I work with students who are effected by the current provision and will be effected by any proposed changes. But it's personal to me as well; whether the term is in or out of fashion, I would describe my family as 'neuro-spicy' with a sprinkling of extra chilli flakes. How will my younger kids integrate into secondary school with their individual peculiarities? Will they maintain fr

It's a hot topic isn't it? I know a lot of parents who read these brain burps of mine will be immediately thinking about how hard it was to get an EHCP in place; the hoops we jump through, the glacial pace of diagnostics and, (oh my word) Local Authorities. And now, you have one in place and the rules are changing. Reading the proposals it seems that an EHCP is no longer a permanent protocol but requires reviewing. I mean that makes sense to me, but I can see why it will enra