I'm genuinely sad that I campaigned as a member for Labour to be elected, and alongside the mess in schools, we get this. I knew there would be things I disagree with - including on immigration - but I didn't realise I was campaigning for a party with very different values to mine.

Terrific piece by @bennewmark.bsky.social on SEND and inclusion in England

This is so important. The same words we use don’t mean the same thing to everyone. This is even the case within schools. Ask your Sendco what it means and then ask your AHT for T&L.

There's a whole army of parents and 'experts' who would battle to defend the value of movement breaks, fidget toys, and other 'adaptations' - it's hard for any school to counter that alone, and harder still when we're being told we must put *something* on paper for each individual

SENCO and AP for T&L are basically the same job. Or should be at least.

New. Things Can Get Worse. On why the SEND crisis is worse than ever because nobody is facing the philosophical contradictions. bennewmark.wordpress.com/2026/03/26/t...

This bit is exactly what I thought when I saw the latest 'inclusion strategy' task for schools.

This is sad and Jonathan is not the only one.

I agree with everything Ben’s saying here and I think it’s so important for these things to be said. The direction of travel is worrying me a lot.

Absolutely spot on. Also, inclusion needs funding, a serious amount of funding that I’m pretty sure isn’t going to happen.

Very intelligent from @bennewmark.bsky.social on the proposed SEND reforms. Would be great if the government are listening: bennewmark.wordpress.com/2026/03/26/t...

I am coming to the conclusion that the proposed SEND reforms are a mess, and while there are things I welcome, on the whole I think they make things worse for: - pupils with SEND - families - other pupils - schools - (probably) the public finances - the government.

Donald Trump is partway through single-handedly rescuing Starmer’s premiership.

Too many speeches clearly structured by chatGPT and I’m realising quite late that this is why the content of so many speeches or contributions is vague and feels truthy but in substance is boring.

They made big versions of the toddler road signs in my kids’ set.

I feel more than a little panicky about the US seemingly completely lifting sanctions on Russian oil.

I think we should be asking "what research backs this up?" as often as people make claims about teaching and schools. And we should equally as often be asking "can you show your receipts?" when people make claims about what schools should do.

There’s nothing about my boy’s autism that has been destigmatised When people say “I’m a little bit on the spectrum” they don’t mean they’re non-verbal, not able to wash or dress, or that they regularly injure themselves and others The concept of a spectrum diminishes him & his autism

I have arrived to the same view through our family's own experience, as a few people who read posts already know. Interesting to see it isn't just me because you rarely see this view expressed publicly - as it is often seen as an attack on "high functioning" group.

You only need a quick glance at some of the replies here to understand why spectrum marginalises profoundly autistic people like my son None of which is to denigrate the struggles of others but ASD has become so broad as to cease being a useful diagnostic criteria

www.tes.com/magazine/tea... “One thing I would say is that teachers often intuitively know what a child needs, even without a diagnosis. Together with parents, they can work out what the needs are and act on them straight away, rather than waiting for an assessment.”

‘I’ve been swept up by the autism spectrum idea, and it’s only in the past 10 years that I have felt things have gone too far. Very slowly, I have come to say, “No, this is not right”’: Autism expert professor Uta Frith talks to @helen-amass.bsky.social

"We’re all neurodiverse; we can accept this because all our brains are different. But it makes a medical diagnosis completely meaningless." Blockbuster interview with Professor Frith, and hugely significant in the context of the DfE's proposed SEND 'evidence base' for interventions.

I am sure this interview will make a lot of people angry but given Frith's bona fides it's probably incumbent on folks to engage with her constructively.

One of the world’s leading authorities on autism - very important read: www.tes.com/magazine/tea...

Imposing the wrong inclusion model makes it a dreadful mistake regardless of the ambition and good intentions.

Need to digest but the WP balances a lot of bold, necessary ideas to move the system forward that I've long called for (eg on place based collaboration)... ... With gutting rights for my child, imposing an inclusion model I fundamentally disagree with, and what looks like very weak accountability.

Yes. It's because of how repellent many people find the idea of being "not clever." People then reach for explanations for why some people find learning hard that means they can avoid facing reality. The ableism is in not being able to see value in people beyond their ability.

👇

I came back from lunch and went into the AS communal office because a colleague had borrowed mine and my stuff was in there. It was then clear that two colleagues were in mid conversation, and then I walked in, and colleague 1 pretty much stopped what she was saying.

Either humans learn in the same way or they don’t. If we are going to have a coherent perspective on SEND then those deciding need to decide which position they are taking. It can’t be both.

My (Y11) daughter is going to the library to study today and she doesn’t need and hence has taken no devices. I’m surprised but also pleased.

New Beano day. No ceremony.

This is my GP surgery. Things don’t seem better at all.

Oh jeez, 'they wanted to abandon these local elections but it was illegal so they're going ahead with them' is one hell of a message leading into May.

Thought I’d buy some “classics” for my son for Christmas. They’re the worst bunch of AI produced nonsense I’ve ever owned, so I have a dilemma.

Caught these two in what appears to be a mutually beneficial deal between them at lunchtime.

“Resigns” - they’ve even got the wrong narrative here in trying to shore up any support whatsoever.

There’s obviously no way back and so it is when, not if he goes. Maybe it was already when, not if. Being self-centred, what does this mean for legislation like the schools bill? Could the CAR not be implemented? What about the white paper we are expecting?

This whole debate prompted a re-read of @stulock.bsky.social’s superb blog, ‘Kevin’ mrlock.wordpress.com/2018/07/14/k... There are consequences to reducing consequences. And we do need to recognise them.

Hey Bridget, Get back to me when you've dealt with a group of 16 year old boys shouting in your face, trying to intimidate you, & refusing to follow any instructions. Try talking to some actual teachers. Also, try talking to the parents of kids having their learning hampered by disruptive kids.

Some really important points to consider here. A must read thread. 👏 You don't improve behaviour by reducing suspensions. You reduce suspensions by improving behaviour. One of these things is really easy to do. The other requires far more widely reaching change.

Ben articulates this far better than I ever could

Super thread here. Labour continuing to disappoint. Bridget Phillipson really needs to spend a few weeks in a primary school and a few weeks in a secondary school to understand the consequences of her brilliant ideas.

This thread is better thought through than my rant at work this morning. Agree with every word 👇

This is exactly the conversation we had at work today. This is utter nonsense.

I find it wild that if you’re verbally abusive to a police officer or a nurse you can be prosecuted, but we are saying that when it happens to teachers it’s not even appropriate to send a child home.

Thoughts on this mess. 🧵👇 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Imagine being @bennewmark.bsky.social and starting the banter about your win before the game.