C.E. Jottings

On the difference between therapy and conductive education

Don't take me too seriously, but there's some truth in it and, anyway, it made me smile. Question: What's the difference between physical therapy and conductive education? Answer: Therapy gets you walking; conductive education helps you work out why you'd want to in the first place. Read more →

Creative collaboration for innovation and survival

" Innovation comes from our capacity to collaborate creatively." (Charles Leadbetter. "State of Loneliness" The Guardian.) I was in two important meetings this (long) morning which essentially might be said to have turned on whether each of those present believed that creatively collaborating was or was not the way forward to the innovation we seek to bring about at Paces Campus. Observing that "Giving people a right to more services might not be the right starting point", Charles Leadbetter then... Read more →

Dear Readers ....

One of these days, I'll get round to redesigning the look and functionality of my blog. For the moment, the world map of visitors is perhaps the most interesting feature. Interests me, anyway. Have you ever wondered about the little dots? Well this is where they originated a few moments ago today: Kettering, United Kingdom Grantham, United Kingdom , France Budapest, Hungary Sheffield, United Kingdom Erlangen, Germany Arroyo Grande, CA, United States London, United Kingdom Waterlooville, United Kingdom Birmingham, United... Read more →

Deputy-Editor Ian Birrell leaves The Independent

I see Ian Birrell is to leave The Independent. I was wondering where Ian is moving on to? Ian combined being deputy-editor of a national newspaper with being Dad to a profoundly disabled daughter. He wrote of his daughter in his column, speaking for all parents of all disabled children, not least, in 2005, of David Cameron, whose son Ivan has sadly since died. ("How a disabled child changed my politics - and those of David Cameron") In person, Ian... Read more →

Trespassing on common sense

The story is in the Daily Mail, so it's unlikely to be true, I know, I know. But let me tell you anyway. It's a good story - so, like a good journalist, why let facts get in the way of the telling? Here goes: It couldn't happen, could it? A passer-by reported to the police for helping down a small boy stuck up a tree and taking him back into school? Nah ... The 5-year old boy sitting in... Read more →

Holding my breath

Do you ever get those moments when you hold your breath in anticipation? And everything seems silently paused 'on hold', waiting? Seems a bit like that at Paces at the moment. Big decisions pending in several key areas over the next couple of months which, if any break right for us, will bring step change. Or if not, just carry on, putting one foot in front of the other. Sorry for being cryptic. Shouldn't say too much. Just wanted to... Read more →

Motivation and talent

Mike Chitty has been reading Richard Sennett’s The Craftsman‘ and written about it in his blog post "Craft, Motivation and Wasted Talent" saying Sennett's book "is well worth the considerable effort it has taken me to read it. Although very well written many of the ideas it tackles are not easy!" Mike quotes Sennett as saying “Motivation is a more important issue than talent in consummating craftsmanship”. I am reminded of the importance of motivation in conductive education, of enhancing... Read more →

By indirections find directions out

Managing a conductive education enterprise is not always a straightforward matter. Literally, it seems. Over the years, I've often been accused (if that isn't too strong a word) of 'losing the plot',of 'having my head in the clouds', of "not focusing" on what matters. Our concern with developing the whole Campus, for instance, is seen as "a diversion", a "waste of resources", or a "drain on my time" as Paces CEO. Only the other day, I was told very firmly... Read more →

Why I might wish we'd never set up a School

If you agree there is a difference between education and schooling, you might agree that broadly speaking we might say that "education" is the teaching and learning, structured and unstructured, that goes towards upbringing; while "schooling" is the institutional arrangements we make in whatever society we might find ourselves at any point in history. Conductive education, properly understood, is, of course, about "education". Were we free to choose, parents and conductors might well choose to work week-in, week-out, the whole... Read more →

Who cares?

Looking back, it seems I spent most of the weekend worrying and sleeping. Whenever Sarah, our daughter, has a weekend short break, I fondly imagine myself bursting with energy to do all the jobs not done in the ordinary way - starting out in the garden, maybe - or all those fun activities there's just no time for - like getting on the road again on my bike. The reality, most often, is exhausted sleep and, in between, a brain... Read more →