C.E. Jottings

Potential has the potential for a great deal of potential confusion in education

Andrew Sutton distinguishes "ability" and "potential" saying "The two should never be confused." Personally I would not confuse them as I have no use (and especially see no use in Conductive Education) for the term when thinking about the education or upbringing of children. I added a Comment to Andrew's post to this effect. "Whether fulfilling, reaching or unlocking, I am at a loss to understand how the notion of potential, however defined, contributes anything to my understanding of pedagogy.... Read more →

Shadow Education team being assembled. What's yet to say?

Previously, I noted the appointment of Lucy Powell as Shadow Education Secretary. There isn't much else to say. Schools Week has made the best of it. She's "passionate" about education, apparently, with kids in school. She's committed to "state education". Doesn't tell us a lot - who would not be, if you can work out what it means? There's a hint that she is not entirely persuaded of Party Leader Jeremy Corbyn's opposition to the "principles of free schools and... Read more →

A bit (but not much) about Lucy Powell MP for Manchester Central, the new Shadow Education Secretary

Lucy Powell has been picked by Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn as Shadow Education Secretary. You might well say "Who?" Apart from a brief spell (less holidays) from October 2013 to November 2014 when she was a Shadow Education Minister with responsibility for 'Early Years', she is not noted for any significant interest in Education - certainly not special education. She did visit the Bridge College (FE college for students with learning difficulties and disabilities) in her constituency back in March... Read more →

"The Tale of Laughing Boy". Watch it. Or, as I have just done, watch it again!

I have just been watching again, "The Tale of Laughing Boy". I don't want to get between you and this powerful film, so add no comment of my own. Except to urge you to give it the whole 15 minutes. "On 4th July 2013 Connor Sparrowhawk (AKA Laughing Boy), an 18 year old man with learning disabilities died of preventable causes whilst under the care of Southern Health at Slade House in Oxford. The Trust initially attributed his death to... Read more →

Jan Tippett on Radio Sheffield, conductive education and Paces School

Hurry and you might just catch it for the next 29 days: Jan Tippett one of the earlier travellers to Budapest with her daughter Sophie being interviewed by the incomparable Rony Robinson on Radio Sheffield about those early inspiring days, authentic conductive education and Paces School today. The interview can be heard at 1hr 07 mins into the programme, just after the 11.00am News. A fine interview; well done, Jan. All the right words in all the right places -... Read more →