C.E. Jottings

In defence of the amateur tradition on charity boards

When did the word "amateur" acquire such strong negative connotation? In The Times a week or so ago, the headline to a Philip Collins' opinion piece states "These amateurish charities aren't fit for purpose". And in The Guardian the day before an Editorial headline ran "The Guardian view on charity trustees: no role for amateurs". These confident assertions arise from the Kids Company débâcle. Yet if there was one thing that the Board of Kids Company was not, it was... Read more →

Special Education reforms: opportunities for conductive education in the UK

Andrew Sutton left a Comment on my recent blog posting "Some SEN Statementing questions answered by Special Needs Jungle" in the form of a link to a posting on his own blog where, after leading in with a clip from Tania Tirraoro in the SNJ posting, Andrew ponders the coming "tsunami" of change, how real the change might be, what it might mean for conductive education in the UK and our readiness for it. For everyone in conductive education, Andrew... Read more →

Now can we all please grow up? Paces - the invisible School

16 years ago, in 1997, Sheffield City Council took the brave and remarkably foresighted decision to grant to Paces Sheffield a Licence to Occupy the former High Green Comprehensive School premises and to fund four children to attend what was to become the new Paces School. Four years ago, in 2009, we applied for and were granted Non-Maintained Special School status, which brought much needed Government funding in addition to fees charged to local authorities. Paces School at the last... Read more →

Education, Health and Care Plan for SEN: an impossible challenge?

An impossible challenge? I don't know.But if Baroness Murphy's assessment is correct, then it very well might be. Whilst the SEN draft legislation is intent on a unified education, health and care assessment to be set out in a unitary individual plan, how this might be achieved is anyone's guess. Word is that the planned legislation is to be delayed until Pathfinders have had chance to report. Legislation on the statute book in 2014 is looking optimistic and 2015 is... Read more →

Getting Together in November

It's long been my contention that getting together and collaborating can only be a force for good. With that in mind, Paces is hosting two events on consecutive days in November, with the aim of bringing people together. The venue is the prestigious and de-stressing setting of the Yorkshire Sculture Park (YSP). (By having the events on consecutive days, we gained a generous discount from YSP - but these are two distinct and separate events, so please do not confuse... Read more →

On sharing data. Lessons for conductive education centres maybe?

Just a link, really. The article speaks for itself. "Data for Promotion. Engagement and Reporting" source Stanford Social Innovation Review. "Many organizations use selected statistics, data, or other information in press releases and calls to action, but we may not look at those numbers or statistics as stories that compel us to share, respond, and take action." Read more →

Why Eton fives and Westminster School matter to Conductive Education

If I were to tell you that Giles Coren, the Sunday Times columnist and food critic, may no longer be able to play Eton fives at Westminster School, you might well wonder what the sporting pastime of a former pupil of one of the UK's top private schools has to do with conductive education. If I suggested that you should be concerned, you might well suspect that I had, as has often been rumoured, finally flipped. But you would be... Read more →

"Appreciating Assets"

"Contributors to this publication share a ‘people-centred’ approach that insists that everyone is unique, and has a unique contribution to make to their organisation or community: an appreciative approach that recognises the intrinsic worth in people and places." Appreciating Assets, Carnegie UK Trust Fascinating read if you are into working with communities. Stuff here underpinned foundation of Paces Campus in 1997. We are still on the journey, not having yet arrived! Read more →

Has The Time Come For Holistic Business Strategy in Conductive Education?

Some people I know (you don't need names) don't like "holistic" as a applied to conductive education. Indulge me a moment. SAHK have sought to apply conductive education to and embed it within their business model holistically, one might say, if by that we mean, the whole. "The Time Has Come For Holistic Business Strategy" says Brian Solis - now what could that possibly mean? You'll have to check the link yourself, as I'm not quite sure. I quite like... Read more →

DfE: More flexibility & freedom - and the 'duty to cooperate'

You can read the full report on the Department for Education news website. An extract: "All evidence and experience suggests stronger partnerships, greater integration of services and a shared purpose for all those working with and for children and families lead to better services for children, young people and families – especially the most vulnerable. The core principle of a shared commitment to improve the lives of children, young people and families – enshrined in the ‘duty to cooperate’ on... Read more →