C.E. Jottings

"Walking against the odds" - tripping down memory lane again

Recently, I posted about an article "Standing on their own feet" published in The Times on 1st October 1987: "In Budapest conductive education is successfully training handicapped children. Now its ideas are coming here". In the box in which I had kept that cutting, there was also a copy of The Sunday Times Magazine. Incredibly, it seems now, just a couple of weeks later, on Sunday 18th October 1987, a huge feature appeared entitled "Walking against the odds: crippled British... Read more →

Schooling: when enough is enough

Much of my thinking time yesterday was spent pondering Paces' adult services and conductive education. Prompted by a meeting in the morning, the subject whirled around my head all the rest of the day and into the evening. Partly my pondering is about conductive education. We know something about "conductive pedagogy"; but what do we know of "conductive andragogy"? We know something about "conductive upbringing"; but what do we know about "conductive living?" Coincidentally, I yesterday, too, happened to re-read... Read more →

Joint Committee on Human Rights inquires into independent living for disabled adults

On 11th February 2011, the Joint Committee on Human Rights, chaired by Dr Hywel Francis MP, launched an inquiry into the implementation of the right of disabled people to independent living. Joint Committees consist of MPs and Lords and conduct an ongoing examination of a particular area (such as human rights). The Joint Committee on Human Rights is a permanent committee. I had not heard of this particular enquiry until today and have not yet satisfactorily tracked down a written... Read more →

Sheffield endorses Paces' Special Free School application

"Thank you for your letter of 29th September 2011. I am happy to confirm formally our support for the application for Paces to become a Free School." Dated 17 October 2011, the letter is signed personally by Dr Sonia Sharp, Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families. Every parent everywhere, everyone everywhere who has battled for conductive education, will understand the the sense of joy, excitement and, yes, gratitude at the opening words of that second sentence: "I am happy... Read more →

Taking the long view, for a moment more

Responding in a Comment to my post Taking the long view, for the moment, Andrew Sutton wrote: I too wish every success to everybody trying 'to work out how, sustainably, to create "a place for ​conductive pedagogy that can accommodate children up to age 18" .... and beyond, no doubt, to independent citizenship apart from their parents.' In brutal reality, I wonder how many people/institutions this might add up to world wide. Tsad Kadima have shown the way, the Perrin... Read more →

Words and phrases we are just going to have to get used to

Phrases we are just going to have to get used to: Employment Support Allowance Work Capability Assessment Personal Independent Payment But behind the phrases are real stories. Pat Onions, for instance, on Carer Watch's Blog. Read more →

"Standing on their own feet" .... tripping down memory lane

The title of this post is taken from a Times article published on Thursday 1st October 1987. The original was found browning in a box as we sorted papers after redecorating a bedroom. With it was a Sunday Times Magazine from the same time (of which more in another post). Here is the article and, at the end, an inset panel. In so many ways, reading it brings back a different world. (In passing, I note - with no surprise... Read more →

Taking the long view, for the moment

Just heard Sarah's going to be home late. Hasn't yet left Paces. Don't know what time she'll be in for tea. Transport company being evasive about where her taxi is and likely time to pick her up. Funny same thing happened last Friday. Next week she's joining her two friends - and soon to be housemates - for afternoon tea, to see their new bungalow. All refurbished and newly painted and kitted out by AbbeyCare. Sarah has chosen lilac for... Read more →

Paces at NASS Annual Conference

I'm about to head off to the Annual Conference of NASS at South Normanton, near Derby; looking forward to taking part in the Panel Discussion that rounds off the first day. My brief is to talk about our experience of applying to become a Free School. "Panel Discussion: Survival of the Fittest - Surviving and Thriving in Difficult Times Tracy De Bernhardt Dunkin, West of England School & College - The Future Remodelled Olga Sullivan, Buckinghamshire CC - Working with... Read more →

Physical contact between pupils and conductors

Physical contact between pupils and conductors is inevitable in conductive education settings. Equally inevitable are the difficulties likely to arise from the perceptions of 'safeguarding' vigilantes. If such persons are Ofsted Inspectors, then the consequences can potentially be severe. Such attitudes encourage schools to adopt, in practice, informally or formally, policies of no contact. A moment or so ago, I came across by chance a debate on this very matter in the House of Lords on 11 July 2011 during... Read more →