C.E. Jottings

Mzee, Mwalimu, Mentor, Conductors and Conductive Education

On Conductive World, Andrew Sutton introduced the notion of mentors and mentoring in conductive education. This in turn led to some interesting comments from others. I was thinking about this when I heard on the news of the visit to Zimbabwe by a group apparently known as "The Elders". (See, for instance "Elders Carter, Annan, Machel Headed to Zimbabwe to Assess Crisis") I presumed this usage of 'Elder' was linked to the Swahili word 'Mzee', meaning 'Elder' or 'Old Man'.... Read more →

Reflections on conductive education or whatever

Michael Marks, a Russian born Polish refugee, set up a penny-stall selling nails and soap and spoons and such in Kirkgate market in Leeds in 1884. Not until 10 years later did he open his first shop, in Manchester in 1894. What did he think he was doing in those 10 years? Just trading on his stall from one day to the next? Or did he have any notion at all that one day there would be an international chain... Read more →

Statements Past?

The extract below is taken from a report distributed by the "No Voice" campaign of parents of children with special needs in Sheffield. The reference is to a meeting of members of the campaign with Sonia Sharp, Director, Children and Young People Directorate and Clive Betts MP, who also brokered the meeting. [Other matters discussed at the meeting can be read in the full report.] In a posting here on 7 November, I was wondering if others had noticed a... Read more →

Me or Humpty Dumpty?

"When I use a word" Humpty Dumpty famously said "it means just what I choose it to mean". Does language matter? Do words matter? Is it just me or is anyone else noticing a shift in the language that we have become accustomed to, the words used by the education industry, of "special educational needs" and "special needs" and "special schools"? One has only learnt to get the better of words For the thing one no longer has to say,... Read more →

If cerebral palsy is a physical disability, why is it so important not to walk on the cracks?

The boy, he couldn't have been more than 4, head down, intent, totally focused, nearly collided, head-on,bang into Sarah's wheelchair. Just at the last moment, he swerved sharply left, and, still stepping carefully to avoid the cracks between the floor tiles, he was off after his Mum, shopping in Meadowhall. (Shopping centre. Mall. In Sheffield.) We were amused at the lad's total concentration on the task that he'd set himself. Utterly oblivious to all else. His brain buzzing with the... Read more →