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I have not watched Channel 4's upcoming documentary The Great ADHD Myth? yet. In fact, that's partly the point of this article. Before a single frame has aired, the title alone has already achieved its purpose: it has provoked a reaction. It is difficult to see it as anything other than a deliberate piece of rage bait designed to draw in viewers who either feel strongly about ADHD or who are sceptical of it. My immediate reaction to the title was disgust. Not because I think

Andy Burnham’s proposal to reform education by placing greater emphasis on technical skills, vocational pathways and employment opportunities deserves serious consideration. At its core, the idea is difficult to disagree with. For years, the education system has often been criticised for treating university as the gold standard while apprenticeships, technical qualifications and skilled trades have been viewed as second-best options. Burnham wants to change that by creating n

There’s a lot of noise at the moment about white working‑class children being “failed” by the UK education system. And while there is some truth in that, the reality is a bit more complex than the headlines suggest. Yes, the data shows that disadvantaged white pupils — often measured by eligibility for free school meals — tend to have some of the lowest academic outcomes. For instance, only around 36% achieve expected GCSE passes in English and Maths, compared to about 72% of

Its that time of year again - How many SEND leads are manically trying to stay compliant to bulk consultation drops, whilst only getting 15 days to do those 20/30 and that's if you only work with 1 LA, all whilst trying to do all the other bits the role necessitates. The LA(s) seem to stick so rigid to those 15 days, ironically had they been so rigid in sticking to all other statutory bits like those 20weeks, or getting plans back to education settings in a timely manner or t

The Mental Capacity Act - the young person has the loudest voice Something we sometimes overlook: The Mental Capacity Act doesn’t just apply to adults. It takes effect from age 16. That means from that moment, the young person’s voice takes centre stage - not the parent’s, not ours. Theirs. Secondary and upper schools are you preparing families for this? Are you telling them about this? And with your year 11s are you applying this? The shift is real as they move into post-16

Attendance has become yet another data stream placed under the microscope. In my time working in mainstream education, it was constantly pushed as an area to improve – and rightly so. But what always struck me was the limited time, if any, dedicated to understanding why attendance was an issue in the first place. I’ve also seen mainstream settings quietly lower their “minimum expected attendance” figures just to meet criteria. And let’s be honest: how is that helping anyone?

I want to address all the noise about the SEND white paper as I feel like I've been leaving pretty much the same comment on posts and writing might cover how some of us are feeling. I’m so angry - I’m angry that parent/carers, SEND leads were seemingly (if leaks are to be believed) sold a dream with the national voice tour on this reform. I’m angry that I can’t imagine how much money that tour cost - for what to blow smoke up people, maybe I’m naïve as the principle seemed to

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