Excuse my break from politics while I give a plug to some of my research. ://www.psypost.org/slow-processing-speed-linked-to-school-difficulties-even-in-bright-children/

Looking for practical, evidence-based ways to boost inclusion and improve attendance in your school? barrierstoeducation.co.uk is a goldmine of insight and support. It's well worth a look!

Another fantastic piece of research on parent's experiences with school refusing.

This is an emotional post. Please scroll through is you don't have the strength to watch. I'm posting because this is going on right now and we must challenge those in authority who are staying silent and allowing it to continue.

Time and time again, the Prime Minister says the situation in Gaza is intolerable… but he keeps on tolerating it. Palestinian statehood was literally in his own manifesto, so why won’t he recognise it now? I wonder if Donald Trump is stopping him.

On SNJ Today: Back in 2021, SNJ's @captaink77.bsky.social was the first to bring the last government’s #SENDSafetyValve scheme to light. The Safety Valve evaluation report proves it's been a failure, no matter how hard the report's authors try to pretend otherwise www.specialneedsjungle.com/s...

Bridget Phillipson, the image may look playful, but the message is serious. You’re being ill-advised on early learning. Play isn’t soft. It is learning. Children show writing, maths & thinking skills through play. So don’t take play away. Come & observe it. #PlayMatters

Rise in school exclusions in England including among YR & Y1 pupils “We are also concerned that stripping away #EHCPs will leave more children at risk of exclusion and disengagement from school.“ (see chart in today’s SNJ post too) #SaveOurChildrensRights www.theguardian.com/educatio...#EHCPs

Labour must keep EHCPs in Send system, says education committee chair - Education select Committee Chair, @helenhayes.bsky.social is on the case: www.theguardian.com/educatio... #SaveOurChildrensRights

Here is the campaign website—find out how to Protect the law for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities - www.saveourchildrensrights.o... www.saveourchildrensrights.o... Download the right poster, fill it in, take the pic and upload #SaveOurChildrensRights

In the year 2022/23 educational tribunals found that only 2% of Local Authorities adequately supported SEND children. We must keep parents’ legal right to challenge Local Authorities. #SaveOurChildrensRights www.saveourchildrensrights.org.uk

Early Years Educators, We Need You! We’re exploring how play is used, valued & supported in practice across the UK. Your voice matters in our new research: #PLAY2025 📝 🕐 10 mins 📍 For all EY professionals in the UK 🔗 Take part now: app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/northampto... #EarlyYears

2 places left Book here forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/Respon...

I've just discovered these useful surveys to help measure pupil wellbeing. www.corc.uk.net/for-schools/...

If you could retweet my tweet below linking to my Etsy shop (2025 half calendars, July-Dec) it would put my shop in front of more eyes and would help more than you know. I'd appreciate it so much. Thankyou 🌿

Bit nervous to share but, it’s here! Available to pre-order. If you use MINCHIN35 you should get 35% (if you fancied!) A huge thank you to everyone who has supported, inspired & challenged me over the past however many years l've been posting playful activities online 🙌 #playinupperprimary

Currently around a quarter of all autistic learners are persistently absent from school. Spectrum Gaming have teamed up with a wide range of professionals to help change this. Click below for brilliant, free training and resources: padlet.com/spectrumgami...

It’s 2025, yet teaching assistants are relying on benefits, food banks and juggling multiple jobs to make ends meet an NEU survey of support staff in independent schools reveals It’s time for change Read: www.twinkl.co.uk/l/15slwc

I have so much respect for Jamie. Wouldn’t it be amazing if he could raise the profile of our neurodiverse learners in the same way as he championed healthy school dinners? www.jamieoliver.com/we-need-to-t...

New, fully funded PhD studentship opportunity exploring physical activity in neurodivergent young people Come join us at the Physical Activity Exchange, LJMU! UK students only. Deadline: 30th March bit.ly/41GLy64

My sons school support him beautifully. Even when he was really really struggling he always wanted to go in. What came across consistently was the staff got him, they cared about him as an individual and they wanted to learn to support him. The rest is noise and detail. #Edchatie

Another whole day of staff training, this time at a school in Horsham. Super discussions all day and great feedback #NoOutsiders #Belonging

Sorted. 😉😎

Oh my. It's here. The book cover! How beautiful is this? It took some time to develop but we got there and I think you'll agree, it's stunning! Out in May! Pre-order your copy here: www.amazon.co.uk/Weaving-Web-...

Belonging has to be intentional...

In January, on the anniversary of Ruth Perry’s death, Julia (Ruth’s sister) and I met with the heads of all teaching unions. It’s both distressing and reassuring that EVERY union has raised concerns about the proposed inspection framework changes since Monday…

I finally submitted my evidence to the Education Committee. The 62 submissions have many common themes. If you have time, they are well worth reading. Here's hoping they bring positive change🫰 committees.parliament.uk/work/8684/so...

A report out today reveals the NHS can only support around 40% of the 1 in 5 children and young people with mental health needs Waiting times of 2 years + branded ‘totally unacceptable’ in the House of Lords this week, many TAs now bridge the SEMH support gap Read: www.twinkl.co.uk/l/duv38

Today I asked Bridget Phillipson when will all school staff receive Autism training? I hope the Neurodivergence Task & Finish Group brings about the changes needed to make schools a place where autistic learners thrive and feel safe.

It's very frustrating to see Bridget Phillipson doing the same old nonsense about 'low expectations' and 'stuck schools' rather than exploring the structural and societal issues causing these features in the system.

It was sooo lovely to see blue skies today. Spring is coming!

Up early for a long walk and a hearty breakfast, before delivering some online training. Today's masterclass is called, 'Boys Do Cry' and it looks at practical steps that classroom teachers and pastoral leads can take to improve boys' emotional wellbeing.

Want to improve neurodivergent learners sense of belonging in school? The Neurodivergent peer Support Toolkit is a brilliant resource (NEST). salvesen-research.ed.ac.uk/our-projects...

I realise I now need to leave X. My reason for staying is financial: I get a lot of job enquiries through here. Leaving will mean losing roughly 25 thousand contacts. Any self-employed people got advice for leaving X and making up for the loss of potential clients?