I have such gratitude for what you are sharing. As a family we have suffered greatly due to the attainment and behaviour approach of school. I think you and many others ‘outside’ the system have a valuable contribution to make. I’m a midwife and there are a number of wonderful psychologists and psychiatrists using their nuanced, balanced and knowledgeable voices to make birth better. You are doing the same for education. Many of those working inside the system will know its problems and will be doing what they can to make a difference. There are many who believe it’s time for a radical overhaul. It will be too late for my son but I am sure it will come.
You speak the truth, you are the voice for so many who have not been heard. You have every right to speak of the damage the education system has on too many children. Sadly, as a family, we have lived experience of the systematic failings and I would love someone to tell me I can’t have a view because I’m not a teacher.
Teachers say it’s failing, parent’s say it’s failing, professionals say it’s failing and most importantly the children are telling us it’s failing. Speak loud, be proud!
Please keep speaking out so parents like us can understand what is hidden behind our children’s struggles! My youngest (now age 9) didn’t attend school for 8 months before we decided to homeschool this year and, despite being very bright and articulate is only now beginning to express the difficulties he had with the pressure being put on him at school. As a retired teacher myself, I didn’t realise the stress I was putting on my youngsters with the best intentions - learned by being taught from more experienced teachers and trying to accommodate the ‘next big thing’ and trends that made me jump through hoops and not see the reasons behind the ‘challenging’ behaviour. As a parent of 2 autistic children, I have seen first hand how the high expectations pushed both kids over the edge into mental health problems with the demands placed on them to behave ‘appropriately’ despite their physical and sensory needs. I don’t know what the answer is but I’d love for there to be more emphasis in teacher training and with Ofsted to enable teachers to recognise and respond to the individual needs of students. Could do with more funding in schools though... :-)
Just so good. Thank you, Naomi. We need you, we need your voice.
I have such gratitude for what you are sharing. As a family we have suffered greatly due to the attainment and behaviour approach of school. I think you and many others ‘outside’ the system have a valuable contribution to make. I’m a midwife and there are a number of wonderful psychologists and psychiatrists using their nuanced, balanced and knowledgeable voices to make birth better. You are doing the same for education. Many of those working inside the system will know its problems and will be doing what they can to make a difference. There are many who believe it’s time for a radical overhaul. It will be too late for my son but I am sure it will come.
You speak the truth, you are the voice for so many who have not been heard. You have every right to speak of the damage the education system has on too many children. Sadly, as a family, we have lived experience of the systematic failings and I would love someone to tell me I can’t have a view because I’m not a teacher.
Teachers say it’s failing, parent’s say it’s failing, professionals say it’s failing and most importantly the children are telling us it’s failing. Speak loud, be proud!
Please keep speaking out so parents like us can understand what is hidden behind our children’s struggles! My youngest (now age 9) didn’t attend school for 8 months before we decided to homeschool this year and, despite being very bright and articulate is only now beginning to express the difficulties he had with the pressure being put on him at school. As a retired teacher myself, I didn’t realise the stress I was putting on my youngsters with the best intentions - learned by being taught from more experienced teachers and trying to accommodate the ‘next big thing’ and trends that made me jump through hoops and not see the reasons behind the ‘challenging’ behaviour. As a parent of 2 autistic children, I have seen first hand how the high expectations pushed both kids over the edge into mental health problems with the demands placed on them to behave ‘appropriately’ despite their physical and sensory needs. I don’t know what the answer is but I’d love for there to be more emphasis in teacher training and with Ofsted to enable teachers to recognise and respond to the individual needs of students. Could do with more funding in schools though... :-)