C.E. Jottings

When less may simply mean less. Who speaks for the special education and upbringing of children with cerebral palsy? Not Scope, evidently

Consider this: “At the seminar, during a break, I asked one of the speakers when she had most recently heard that the education of children with cerebral palsy was a 'problem', a matter for public debate? As she appeared not to comprehend the question, I suggested she substitute autism, or dyslexia or emotional and behavioural difficulties for cerebral palsy. She then agreed that she was indeed aware of the continuing public discussion about the education of children with autism or... Read more →

Outstanding Conductor posts at Paces 'Outstanding' School

Paces long association with the Peto Institute is a matter of pride. As is our part in the very first UK-wide summer schools, here in Sheffield, from 1992-94. As is the help received from Prof Kozma and Anikó Salga in setting up our own centre from 1996. As is our part in introducing conductive education to the English mainstream in 2009, when the Department for Education recognised Paces School as a Non-Maintained Special School; as is the formal opening of... Read more →

Conductive Serendipity – or why conductive education is more than the physical

Judit Szathmary set the thought flowing. “A masterpiece is still a masterpiece when the lights are out and the room is empty” she wrote on Facebook. But is it? That put me in mind of the old philosophy conundrum: “If a tree falls in the forest, and there’s nobody around to hear, does it make a sound?” Does it? In turn, that led me to Hui-neng's Flag. Hui-neng, founder of the Zen school of Buddhism, one day happened to pass... Read more →

Does anyone truly think this mess of responsibility and accountability actually makes any sense whatsoever?

Anyone aiming to promote change in the upbringing and education (including schooling) of children in England (as I assume all conductors are) will be doing so within an endlessly shifting public policy environment. Today the Education Select Committee released a report about the role of the Regional Schools Commissioners (RSCs). I suppose if you need to know what a Regional Schools Commissioner is then you will do so. If that's you, well and good. But as a reasonably intelligent person... Read more →

Changing work of Educational Psychologists

I've been reading an interesting account of the transformation in the work of Educational Psychologists that makes me wonder why they and Conductors are not more often seen as natural allies. I do not suggest that their interests or assumptions are identical, just that there might perhaps be more scope for dialogue and finding common ground. In their earliest practice (1913-40), EPs in the UK worked at the behest of doctors who identified children, to test and diagnose and make... 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 →

Schools Minister announces review of assessment of pupils "with lower abilities"

A Department for Education press release yesterday (13th July) reported a "new review into how to assess accurately pupils with lower attainment". The purpose of the review is so that parents better know how their children are progressing at school and schools "can be given appropriate credit for the work they do to support their pupils". According to the press release, only heads and teachers are mentioned as being consulted by the review body. In passing, I notice that under... Read more →

Finding the language to communicate conductive education as a system of teaching and learning

In its assertion that it is a system of teaching and learning, Conductive Education sets out its distinctiveness. This simple assertion, however, finds difficulty in escaping the medical discourse and “interventions” in which motor dysfunctions, typically cerebral palsy, are first diagnosed and then “treatments” recommended. A recent article "Lively Minds" by Lilian G Katz, Professor of Early Childhood Education may offer some help in the language we use to talk about conductive education with other education colleagues and to re-assure... Read more →

Ex-Rotherham & Sheffield Children's Director Sonia Sharp quits role in Australia

The BBC is reporting that Sonia Sharp has quite her job in Australia. As head of children's services in Rotherham from 2005-2008, she preceded Joyce Thacker, who resigned in September after weeks of pressure following the publication of the Jay Report that revealed the level of abuse of mainly young girls in Rotherham and the failure of the 'safeguarding' services to prevent it. From Rotherham, Sonia Sharp came to Sheffield, leaving for the post in Victoria, Australia in 2012. See... Read more →