Stories + Views: Special Needs Education

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Roger Titcombe: The dangers of common sense

It is ‘common sense’ that grouping children of similar ability will result in better teaching and learning. Similarly, that boys will learn better without the distraction of girls, and that girls will also benefit from single sex groups because this will free them from competition for the esteem of boys and allow them to learn without the disruption caused by ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Tubby Isaacs: "Dear O Lord, just read that Oldham Chronicle article. Burkard should not be allowed anywhere near a school. Quote: he is confident that the school promising discipline — all “teachers” will be armed-forces veterans — and grammar-school standards will get the go-ahead ......"

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Janet Downs: LAs can’t direct academies to accept pupils: this could have negative effect on hard-to-place pupils, Academies Commission warns

The Academies Commission reported that several researchers had found that when market forces enter education systems this “provides incentives for schools to avoid particular, vulnerable pupils who might be seen as detrimental to the school’s attainment profile.” Academies are their own admissions authority. Some Local Authorities (LAs) s told the Commission that they feared an increased number of academies could lead ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by John Mountford: "At no time has it been so abundantly clear that the direction of reform of our education service is so dangerously poised to consign a generation of the most needy youngsters to a lower than second-class status. If we fail ......"

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Stephen Smith: It’s that man again – Michael Gove on Chaotic Homes and another push for more academies

Sometime I'm flabbergasted when I read the latest pronouncements from Michael Gove in the news Try this one : Gove warns over children growing up in 'chaotic homes'. It starts off relatively promising, Michael Gove responding to a question from a Labour MP, highlighting the issues of some children coming to school in reception, already way behind their peers, due to the ... read more and comment →

28 comments

Latest comment by Rebecca Hanson: "Thank you Janet. Please could my post where I refer to it be removed too as it's now confusing?..."

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Fiona Millar: Academies diminish the rights of SEN children

One reason why I have always opposed the idea of "independent" state schools is because the rights of pupils , parents and teachers are not the same as those enjoyed by the same groups in the maintained sector ( parents and governors in converting schools take note). This story in today's Guardian points to how that is starting to effect some ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Rosie Fergusson: "Recent answer from Nick gibb re sen appeals....I haven't noticed the clause he claims to exist in post 2010 Academy Funding agreements....and I believe the Admissions code allows the Academy the right to refuse being named so he's wrong in ......"

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Vicky Mackenzie: Why is the government ignoring complaints about academies?

Our son was mistreated at his school and we were lied to by the headteacher, (who was also SENCO) for a number of years, she told us for 3 years he was not special needs and needed no support, even bringing in an outside party, not connected to the school to enforce this opinion. In fact, she was claiming him as ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Vicky Mackenzie: "We just feel that our son has suffered because of the actions of the governors and head of this school and they should be held accountable, no matter what kind of establishment they were or are now. It seems as ......"

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Adrian Elliott: WERE THE 2011 RIOTS CAUSED BY POOR SCHOOLS ?

Both Boris Johnston and the recent report by the Riots Communities and Victims Panel have placed a large measure of blame for last year’s riots on poor schooling. But how far is this a fair or accurate analysis of the causes of the worst civil disturbances for decades. First, the emphasis on schools seems to have led to ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Leonard James: "I'm by no means an expert on this but I'll try and justify my methods as best I can. Being as the school data is expressed as a percentage I don't think parametric tests are suitable - I think we ......"

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Allan Beavis: How effective can Gove’s school reforms be if the government fails to tackle child poverty?

There has been much fighting talk from Education Secretary Michael Gove in recent weeks, perhaps to quash increasing criticism of his education policies and to give some much needed spin to the ideologies that he is convinced will raise standards in our schools. According to him, anyone who opposes his reforms are happy with failure and this attitude is typical ... read more and comment →

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Latest comment by Janet Downs: "Even minor differences between children’s home lives can have a significant impact on pre-school development, says a report from the Resolution Foundation which featured in TES (13 Jan 2012). The analysts rated households by their before-tax household income* as follows: low ......"

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audrey hesse: Setting up a school for autism in North West London

I am a parent who is convinced in starting an independent school for autistic children in North West London. My son is 14 and has been denied appropriate education suitable for his needs. read more and comment →

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