Joint Headteacher of a Special School with an interest in all things SEND and BWFC.
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I have a copy of this in my kitchen. I use it to explain whenever I hear anyone who obviously doesn’t understand or has never thought about it. The reception is varied. Some, shocked to realise they have unwittingly used one or more of these words, want to learn more. A few ignore it or joke.
That is a Google summary for ease, but my understanding is that is correct. But happy to call it a day in the knowledge we don’t agree. I suspect I’m not going to be persuasive enough to change your view. 2/2
It don’t think it does. “The English word "cretin" comes from the 18th-century Swiss French word crétin (from the dialectal crestin), meaning "Christian". The term was used for people in the Alps suffering from cretinism (a condition of dwarfism and mental impairment due to iodine deficiency)” 1/2
Unfortunately the social connotations of its use, like Cretin, are not anachronistic. They associate negative characteristics and behaviours with those who find learning harder. That in turn perpetuates negative views of those who find learning harder, which have real world consequences.
He certainly thinks so.
How is a new consensus built if not by challenging current orthodoxy? The shift away from the use of other forms of discriminatory language probably wasn’t an act of shared spontaneity but built out of a growing recognition that its use was offensive. Ableist language has lagged behind sadly.
And those working in education.
Absolutely. And they won’t undeservedly associate negative characteristics and behaviours with people who find learning hard.
Oh dear. It’s sadly fascinating trying to understand why Learning Disability trails behind the social reform experienced by other defined groups who are discriminated against.
This blog is really interesting and worth reading, might make you think next time you go to use the word ‘idiot’ as an insult.
Leighton Moss is a favourite of my Dad’s. He goes fairly regularly, which is a fair commitment when we live in Oxfordshire.
English has so many wonderful insults, it’s a shame that a large number of progressives still use ableist slurs when describing the other side.
Brilliant. We have an extra wardrobe in the spare room, but at least it is a shared overflow.
Oh very good……
Wow. You could wear a different one every school day until 2026. That is an extraordinary collection. How do you hang them, please let it be a rainbow!!
And whilst we may disagree, I do appreciate the thoughtful engagement.
This got me blocked by the original poster. No engagement. 🤷♂️
We seemed to have managed to avoid using discriminatory language rooted in history in relation to other social groups. I guess it just comes down to what you consider important. At least now, if you continue to use it, then it is a conscious choice rather than a lack of awareness.
James Milner is now the 2nd youngest goal scorer in League history and the 2nd oldest goal scorer in League history. From prodigy to icon.
Why thank you!
Agreed. It’s something we shouldn’t gloss over.
I started teaching just after 7/7 in a mainly Muslim school. At the time, Islamaphobia was running high. I remember asking a Yr8 girl how it affected her and the nonchalantly delivered answer still chills: “*shrugs* We get spat on more now, I guess” MORE. That’s what racism does. To young girls.
Given that, as ever, there are plenty of examples of the virtuous using ableist slurs to critique the unvirtuous, now might be a good time to encourage people to read Beautiful Lives by @stephenunwin.bsky.social www.waterstones.com/book/beautif...
I’m guessing you haven’t read the linked blog, but maybe don’t call anyone ‘Moronic’. There are lots of other word with less problematic ableist connotations.
I think that is a good choice.
In regard to the specific example used, probably hateful racist vandals.
Whilst I agree with your sentiment, why is it that people often use ableist language to convey messages of this type? It’s an area where progressive society seemingly struggles. You might find this of interest in regard to why words like ‘moron’ should be avoided. www.stephenunwin.uk/thoughts-and...
I’ve just finished Beautiful Lives by @stephenunwin.bsky.social It is a phenomenal book It takes in the history of people with learning disabilities, the author’s own experience as a parent, and present provision It is by turns horrifying and inspiring Highest possible recommendation
Yes. Self-defeating to have great edu/health support for social communication, for e.g., when nowhere in community is accessible to have fun, meet new potential friends and practise skills. Many reasons why not accessible e.g. poverty, no social care, no suitable places/activities, etc.
Or indeed actively challenging other parts of the system when they act as a barrier to achieving this.
Yes. That’s also why we need a broader social mission, not just a focus on improving statutory service delivery & the relationship between them. If we improve the journey, but outcomes in their broadest sense are still ultimately poor that that is not a sufficient consequence of much needed change.
That’s spot on Zoe. An educational response is necessary, but not sufficient, because the broader challenge is inherently social. Particularly for those identified as SEND with learning disabilities, who have been repeatedly failed by policy and society.
Still recruiting for any SEND teachers or TAs who are interested in taking part in my research study! 🤩 Please help in any way if you can! 😄 #bskySPEECHIES #slpeeps #slt #SEND #SENDfamily #paediatrics #education #PECS #communication #AAC
Two points worth noting on the Farage stuff today. 1. The Tories have completely ceded the August opportunity to get publicity when govt slows down to Reform. Nothing to suggest they're not headed fast towards oblivion. 2. Labour look even more lost than before. Paralysed with indecision and fear.
This what Summer holidays are all about. Trying new things, sharing new experiences, or for my youngest, taking an Alpaca for a walk on a lead.
Agreed- that would be great. I think there is something like this being developed in Scotland- lead by Prof Brianna Kennedy. www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/...
I think this could be particularly helpful for the specialist sector where the EEF approach doesn’t really work, and yet where innovation could be harnessed for the benefit of the wider system.
I completely agree with Ben’s summation. They’ve appeared throughout my town since last week and it’s horrible. The ignorance being shown by their defenders is maddening.
Zia Yusuf on R4 says the Reform plan is to remove Human Rights laws. “So no judge, no activist will be able to stop…” He ends with ‘deportations’. But, to be clear, it will also mean many other words could be put there too.
I agree with Ben’s analysis. Driving up the M6 the bridges are littered with them, generally hung without care, but clearly with intent.
Managed to dodge Smiler. We hadn’t finished our tea!!!
Legoland was a big favourite when the boys were younger. Enjoy!
I resisted last year, but it has been mentioned. 😬
I hope so too. I know that girl’s participation is growing significantly locally and that is hugely important for both our club and the community.
We go to Alton Towers pretty regularly, thanks to the power of Tesco Clubcard vouchers paying our way. Hopefully tomorrow is as much fun as it usually is, apparently you can’t use Merlin Passes on a bank holiday. Anyway, wish me luck, the boys will want me on everything. 😬
That’s good to hear, and yes, they do!!
god I hate this I hate this I hate it I hate it, I hate that the mainstream right has gone this mad and racist and radicalised, I hate that no one seems to know how to stop it from getting worse, it worries me so much and I hate it all
Farage is content with allowing people to be murdered and tortured. I'm not on that side and never will be.
I get that Andy. My Dad has recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and within that one of the priorities was let’s get to a game as three generations.
Cheers Rachel. It’s such a huge part of who we are as a family. And the boys’ football ability comes from Leanne not me. She was a hell of a Netball player! Whatever level they play, we just love watching, supporting, guiding. Not looking forward to the 7:30 get up though 😬
As a football family the summer gives a bit of respite from four training sessions a week and four games a weekend for our two, but tomorrow see the start of the new season with the 12yo at home to MK Dons. I can’t wait!! Such an important part of being a Dad and a big part of our socialising.
Late to the party, but just discovered Tiny Desk Concerts and oh my this is wonderful. Doechii and Fred Again are just incredible. youtube.com/@nprmusic?fe...
Big up the Bolton. #BWFC
UCL are fab. Their @ioe.bsky.social & other branches are covering a lot of interrelated issues. Including the very precise identification & measurement of stressors which disproportionately impact autistic & ADHD children’s wellbeing. www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/ju...
Being curious is valuable. But if/when we find glaring instances of practice which is introducing or maintaining barriers to learning etc, we shouldn’t need to go all round the houses with international comparisons etc before making changes. We should act in a timely way in child’s interests.
Very true!!!
You can find out more here - www.nuffieldfoundation.org/project/an-i...
I’d be keen to look internationally, and not just on the process of being educated, but also on outcomes, both of education and following education. UCL are doing some work currently on comparative analysis of SEND policy across different countries, so perhaps something similar to that .
Here is one example. www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/1...
Banbury. Period property often seems to be cheaper than the modern new builds 🤷♂️
All the more reason to comparatively analyse our education system’s impact/influence. Then we may have a better understanding of what changes are necessary / desirable in order to ensure the best educational experience and greatest impact for those within it. IMO we need to be far more curious.
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And the consequences of this at a human level and a system level are things that need urgently addressing, by focussing on what the causal factors may be. I’m not sure that enough time is being spent looking at this ahead of policy changes at institutional, local and national al levels.
Completely agree. It’s hit and miss whether the child meets the right teachers/experiences the right environment that would facilitate learning, participation& other aspects of healthy development. Systemic issues mean that this doesn’t happen by default atm.
Certainly as a binary,but if 40% of children are identified as SEND at some point during their education, that would suggest something(s) about our system are creating the conditions where some children are identified as SEND.It would be of value to compare this with elsewhere when looking at change
Absolutely. And which children’s SEND only emerge as an issue because of the disabling aspects of school (eg a lack of vocational, creative and hands-on pathways, rigid behaviour codes etc).
One of the big questions that needs answering currently is which children identified as SEND would be identified as SEND in any system, & which are only likely to be identified as SEND in our system. The environment is one factor that needs thoughtful consideration as part of answering that question
There are some fascinating views of not living in a city. I walk 10 minutes to work, 15 minutes to open countryside, 25 minutes to the train station (55 minutes to London, 20 to Oxford) & live in a 3 storey 4 bedroom Victorian property in a nice quiet area you could buy for £400k. What’s not to love
Families at home also learnt a lot. Some neurodivergent children learnt that they get on better out of the classroom. Hard to put the genie back in the bottle. Going back to traditional school-based learning has been impossible for many. researchfeatures.com/wp-content/u...
The video was shared on Robinson's X account. The far right is using X to destabilise our society and the govt is doing nothing about it. [And lots of you are helping support the site by continuing to post there].
Obviously the smears against this man are incredibly libellous - and it says a lot about access to the law that he wouldn't be able to afford to Lord McAlpine these fuckers - but at what point does the government clock that it needs to get a grip on this raging online fire of fascist hate?
needs around pupil and staff safety with insufficient guidance and protections. I learned a lot about myself, those around me and those in broader decision making positions, which has had a significant influence on how I work now and what my thresholds are in all sorts of ways. 3/3
the tone for the way special schools were treated. A continual absence of acting on sector advice and a systemic lack of consideration of how we work, the needs of our pupils and their families. It felt incredibly lonely at times, holding high levels of risk whilst trying to balance competing 2/3
Absolutely. I remember key moments with absolute clarity, often having to present as a calm, assured leader, whilst internally thinking, “What the f***.” It started with Gavin Williamson’s announcement that all children with an EHCP would be entitled to face to face provision which set 1/3
Anyone still on X is helping make this shit viable.
A former education secretary and the chief executive of the sector body for MATs are among members announced in the line-up of a new inclusion body chaired by @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social
Sorry Sam, fingers crossed that they can get it under control, and that the number of people expressing either ‘shit’ or ‘crap’ in their sympathetic responses made you smile given the circumstances. Reminded me of when people responded ‘Oh Bollocks’ when I told them I had testicular cancer.
We have a Full Time HLTA (Literacy / EAL focus) role available in my department at our lovely inclusive school in Bath. Closing date 1st week of September so we can get someone in place ASAP into term 1. Please Repost for a wide audience in the West. www.ralphallenschool.com/1148/job-vac...
Well that sucks Sam. Hope that it is resolved without the need for anything invasive. Go steady.
Nine months ago I quit my job with no plan. I hit 108kg, felt broken, and could barely shuffle through Couch to 5k. Today I weigh 90kg, run parkrun in 26 mins, have a book coming out, two novels drafted, and a half marathon ahead. Rock bottom was the launchpad. open.substack.com/pub/daviddid...
Is sibling rivalry getting you down? Find out ways to tackle arguments between your sibling child and their disabled or autistic brother/sister here. www.sibs.org.uk/supporting-y...
I think there is also a presumption from some dog owners (I’m very aware it is not all) that members of the public both understand and like dogs, and therefore there is not always an awareness of the fear they create.
Couldn’t agree more. When my youngest was 3 or 4 a Blood hound off the lead bowled him over. Cue, “Oh he’s only being playful.” Took him years to be comfortable around dogs after that. Must have seemed like a Bear to him at that age. The dismissiveness you sometimes encounter is so frustrating.
Framing like this doesn't help because it is based on an assumption there's a line between "real" and "not real' diagnosis. This doesn't work because it all depends on your criteria and where you put your personal marker down on the difference between "normal" and "special."
We used to use PECS, although not in the commercial product sense. Moved to PODD books a few years back & have found them communicatively & behaviourally really impactful. Much more spontaneous interaction & less transactional. Happy to share details with our staff if responses can wait until Sept.
Looking for SEND teachers and / or TAs to take part in my dissertation research study about the use of PECS! 📣 Please share if you can. Thank you! 😊 #bskySPEECHIES #slpeeps #slt #SEND #SENDfamily #paediatrics #education #PECS
if your teenager loses their shit and “recoils in disgust” because somebody who looks different to them interacts with them in public that’s a hell of an indictment against your parenting
50% of people with a learning disability experience chronic loneliness, a pretty extreme example of being isolated. And yet I wonder how much of this investment is to enable children with learning disabilities to access the same social experiences as their mainstream peers in their own communities.
There's a new, free, online training course helping non-specialist education staff to understand and meet the needs of blind and partially sighted students. The course, from charity, the @pocklington.bsky.social aims to build understanding, confidence, and skills. www.pocklington.org.uk/educa...
Abu Dhabi owned provider of special schools and children's homes sees profits rise by 28% to £44 million due to strong demand. That's all taxpayer money that could be spent on improving state provision. schoolsweek.co.uk/abu-dhabi-ow...
A dear friend of mine has recently taken up a role heading up SEND provision in a mainstream secondary. The first thing she did was order Stephen’s book. I agree that school leaders should be reading it.
I think that’s why it is so upsetting to read that section Even though it’s describing views expressed a hundred years ago, they’re still as believable today and that is chilling
I’m not sure that those views are too far from the surface in contemporary society sadly. It’s why nobody is taking the knee for the learning disabled in the way it has been taken for other groups who are discriminated against.
What a kind and thoughtful thread…
Simon, thank you so much for this lovely thread (absolutely point taken about more on species schools). Do put this on Foyles / Amazon or whatever if you could. And, also, if there’s an opportunity for me to talk about it in your sector, do get in touch. THANK YOU!
It’s a fantastic book I’m working my way through it but am having to pace myself Just doing the section on eugenics and it’s heartbreaking - not least how widespread the cheerleading of it was amongst the great and the good
You’re most welcome. And I’ll copy it across in due course. It would be great to catch up at some point, there is so much to think about in terms of how our sector exists in a conflicted position & how that tension can be magnified or mitigated depending on how our responsibilities are discharged.
about that it should be in the staff library of every special school and read by everyone leading our type of provision or thinking about how to improve the SEND education system. We have, in some ways come quite far, but we still have a long way to go as a sector, but also as a society. 4/4