Square Peg

Square Pegs….The Rising Tide of Suspensions The doubling of primary school pupil suspensions in England over the last decade is shocking but, sadly, not surprising. The increasing reliance on behaviouristic approaches, often framed as ‘firm but fair,’ has not worked—by any conceivable measure. If anything, the figures highlight a system that is not meeting the needs of the children it serves. Let me be clear: this is not a simplistic dichotomy of trauma-informed versus behaviourist approaches. Schools need rules; some children thrive on some boundaries. But rigid, one-size-fits-all strategies do not address the complex realities of today’s classrooms. Teachers need a diverse toolkit, one that allows them to adapt to the myriad of needs they encounter daily. What we see now is a punitive system that isolates the very children it should nurture. Suspensions and exclusions are catastrophic. They often mark the start of a downward spiral for children and families, a spiral that entrenches disadvantage and alienation. This is why the work of Square Peg is so important and why I am passionate about being an Associate with them. Their work and initiatives like #NotFineInSchool resonate more each day as we witness the devastating impact of exclusionary practices. It is also reasonable to draw comparisons between this alarming rise in suspensions and exclusions and the relentless drive for unrealistic attendance targets, which is compounded by the fining and criminalisation of parents. The sector needs to stop, listen, and engage with parents. The system needs to flex. Of course, school attendance is important—no one is saying it isn’t—but forcing children into schools that cannot support their needs, or worse, place them in a constant state of stress, is immoral at best. We are punishing children and families for struggling within a system that was not built for them. Tomorrow, I’ll join Ellie Costello and Dr Chris Bagley at the #EducationSummit, where no doubt these figures will spark part of our vital conversations and calls to action. We need to move beyond short-term fixes and behaviourist dogma. There is another way—one that centres authentic engagement with parents and young people, that listens to and acts upon their lived experiences. My work centres around cultural competence and cultural humility, working with Square Peg we have created a bespoke Cultural Competence Continuum that relates to these very issues. The journey towards cultural humility requires a commitment to authentically engage with and collaborate with families to better understand the issues and co-create bespoke systems. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results. These rising suspension rates demand not more of the same but a fundamental rethinking of how we support children in education. It’s time to act. Primary school pupil suspensions in England double in a decade https://lnkd.in/ejvbNdDD

Huge week this week as Square Peg hits the road. First, on Tuesday, I’m utterly thrilled to be delivering a keynote at Attachment Research Community conference. I’ve followed their work since 2014 when my eldest became too unwell to attend school. Andy Wright OBE and everyone at ARC are brilliant people doing incredible work to promote evidence based research and practice on the importance of safe, secure relationships in schools. I’ll be speaking on our journey and the lessons learned and insights drawn from becoming That Family in need of statutory support. Hayley Smith will be on hand to run our stand too. https://the-arc.org.uk/ Next is The Schools & Academies Show - cannot wait! Shamelessly borrowing from Nic Ponsford FRSA FIESE 🥊 text as we’re both speaking on the same TWO panels! #SAAS2024 Twins! 10:00am - 10:45am ‘There’s No Other Way? Doing What You Know is Right' And then, at 13:55- 14:40pm for the brilliantly titled panel for 'Bums on Seats: What Can You Do to Improve School Attendance?' Have a lot to say on both panels, naturally. Will be at pre-conference event the night before, and will be milling about on the day too. Hope to see you and have a chat! Register your free place at the NEC, Birmingham https://lnkd.in/e9JnWE9S https://lnkd.in/e5ejpBnf And finally, the brilliant Jo Symes and Alex O'Neill are hosting the inaugural Inspire Education Summit. A free online conference bringing together some brilliant people to chew the fat on finding Another Way. Together. Dr Chris Bagley Adam Vasco and I will be discussing #SchoolDifferently Cultural Competency, the Myth of Three and Finding Another Way. Looking forward to seeing and chatting to lots of friends of Square Peg and meeting new #InnovatorsinEducation too! What a week! Crown House Publishing Ian Gilbert John Hassall Dr Margaret Casely-Hayford CBE Margaret Mulholland Pepe DiIasio Oliver Conway Jim Knight Jonny Uttley julia cleverdon Jo Malone, FRSA Alastair Falk Michelle Storer Marianne Betts Dr Rebecca Johnson

Research has shown when schools are trained in the use of restraint, incidence of restraints goes up. We hear from parents whose primary aged child is placed in a hold for being unable to sit still, follow instructions, or perceived disobedience. The deskilling of teachers in terms of humane, child-centred, relational, attachment aware tools in favour of a narrow, prescriptive set of expectations and standards has, in my view, ruined education and children’s experiences in it. https://lnkd.in/eNsV85TG

I remain beyond thrilled to have been asked to contribute to this amazing book. #BeMoreTim Square Peg Crown House Publishing https://lnkd.in/er-S_C2d

Feet have not touched the ground since Tuesday’s brilliant The Foundation for Education Development 4th Education Summit. Golly it was a good one. Spoilt for choice with thought provoking keynotes, workshops, panels and networking to do. Honoured to be on the programme twice, alongside Joy Madeiros (the wonderful Steve Chalke came to listen following his inspiring keynote) and then on the main stage with Viv Grant FRSA Ashraf Ali MBE FRSA Patrick McGrath Peter Gaul King's Leadership Academy Wavertree. Powerful to listen to reflections from Jim Knight Liz Robinson Dame Alison Peacock DL, DLitt Rae Snape Les Walton CBE Valerie Hannon Carl Ward Dame Julia Cleverdon DCVO, CBE Rachel Tomlinson FRSA This was a summit of energy, intentionality, participation and inspiration. Thank you FED Team Jo Malone, FRSA Kerri Hall Rania Marandos Matt Walker and FED Learners Council. Lovely to glimpse you Kate Longworth Jane Mann Michelle Storer Madeleine Holt John Rees MEd. FCCT, FRSA, FRSPH ! Square Peg 🥰

NEW REPORT: Disabled children and their families have been overlooked by policy makers for too long and the impact is clear. Our new report with the Disabled Children's Partnership demonstrates why well-resourced and properly coordinated services must be a priority. We want to see urgent action to: 1. Commit to an ambitious cross-Government strategy and outcomes framework to drive improvements for babies, children and young people. 2. A new approach to decision-making that places disabled children’s needs, wishes and outcomes at its heart, involving children and young people every step of the way. 3. Investing more of our national wealth in improving the lives of disabled children and young people and spending strategically on early intervention and prevention. You can read the full report here: https://buff.ly/3Zvk56z #SEND #Disability Amanda Allard