An article in the Times by Headteacher, K. Birbalsingh (Feb 2025) suggests that parental guidance by middle-class authors is ruining child rearing among the working classes. Birbalsingh, often described as Britain’s strictest headteacher, has also criticised parents for not teaching their children how to read and count. She also suggests that parents who want their…

My last blog was all about Reading, and my latest educational book, ‘Becoming a Reader’ explores this fascinating set of skills at its many levels. A recent home tutoring session reminded me how much reading there actually is in the subject of maths: and why many children, especially with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)…

24th January 2025: International day of Education  So what, you may ask? What are we meant to do on this day – except to think about how education might  be improved? I have been thinking (seriously) about education for about 53 years – ever since I entered teacher training. Have my thoughts changed anything, or…

Friday 24th Jan is the International Day of Education and the theme this year is “AI and education: Preserving human agency in a world of automation”. International Day of Education promotes the power of education to equip individuals and communities to understand technological advancement. My latest series of Parental Guide Books covers practically every aspect…

Whether you are new to your role as a school SENCo (Special Education Needs Coordinator), or you’re an experienced SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) professional, catering for the diverse needs of the young people you work with every day is extremely demanding… even at the best of times. It doesn’t matter if you’re coordinating…