Sue Gerrard
@suzyg.bsky.social
Neuroscience, autism, child development, education, conceptual modeling. Still channeling Fullmetal Alchemist's Mei Chang.
Every government wants the trappings of power.
December 1, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Every government wants the trappings of power.
How can you be so sure? A minority government can still manage to do a lot of damage. Lib Dems aren't blameless by any means, but it seems unfair to blame them for Conservative policies and a direction of travel that Labour had subscribed to as well.
December 1, 2025 at 4:41 AM
How can you be so sure? A minority government can still manage to do a lot of damage. Lib Dems aren't blameless by any means, but it seems unfair to blame them for Conservative policies and a direction of travel that Labour had subscribed to as well.
IIRC, the SEND part of the Children & Families Act was drafted by Sarah Teather & Norman Lamb, neither of whom, I’d venture, would have played much part in the ‘enabling’. Cameron et al would have been quite able to do worse without them.
November 29, 2025 at 8:37 PM
IIRC, the SEND part of the Children & Families Act was drafted by Sarah Teather & Norman Lamb, neither of whom, I’d venture, would have played much part in the ‘enabling’. Cameron et al would have been quite able to do worse without them.
The Lib Dems in the 2010 coalition government did try, via 2014 Children and Families Act, to make the system workable for children with SEND, but not enough resources were allocated for the changes, and we've been in a downward chaotic spiral ever since. 3/3
November 29, 2025 at 6:01 AM
The Lib Dems in the 2010 coalition government did try, via 2014 Children and Families Act, to make the system workable for children with SEND, but not enough resources were allocated for the changes, and we've been in a downward chaotic spiral ever since. 3/3
Improvements were made over the decades, and the Warnock recommendations (1978) could have transformed the system sustainably, were it not for Mrs T's budget cuts and 1989 Education Reform Act that re-introduced the principles of the Revised Code. 2/
November 29, 2025 at 5:58 AM
Improvements were made over the decades, and the Warnock recommendations (1978) could have transformed the system sustainably, were it not for Mrs T's budget cuts and 1989 Education Reform Act that re-introduced the principles of the Revised Code. 2/
The SEND crisis goes back to the 1862 Revised Code which set 'standards' for pupil attainment & paid schools accordingly. It was gradually abandoned after education became compulsory because it didn't take account of the diverse category of 'feebleminded' children. 1/
November 29, 2025 at 5:56 AM
The SEND crisis goes back to the 1862 Revised Code which set 'standards' for pupil attainment & paid schools accordingly. It was gradually abandoned after education became compulsory because it didn't take account of the diverse category of 'feebleminded' children. 1/
Communication difficulties vary across the whole population.
November 29, 2025 at 5:50 AM
Communication difficulties vary across the whole population.
But past performance is an indicator of likely future performance so…
November 18, 2025 at 12:01 PM
But past performance is an indicator of likely future performance so…
Whole language reading was based on the way children acquired spoken language. It wasn’t an effective way of learning to read because exposure to written language was too infrequent. Theory wasn’t about new=better.
November 11, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Whole language reading was based on the way children acquired spoken language. It wasn’t an effective way of learning to read because exposure to written language was too infrequent. Theory wasn’t about new=better.
Not even a sorcerer’s apprentice logicalincrementalism.wordpress.com/2020/02/09/a...
apprentice without a sorcerer
Cummings’ essay Some Thoughts on Education and Political Priorities highlights his admiration for experts, notably scientists, but this doesn’t prevent him making several classic novice errors. The…
logicalincrementalism.wordpress.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Not even a sorcerer’s apprentice logicalincrementalism.wordpress.com/2020/02/09/a...
Seems to be all anybody talks about. I was looking for stats on changes in under 25s UK population yesterday and all I could find was analysis by ethnicity. And the AI response claimed exactly the same figures for the 2011 & 2021 censuses. Algorithms are hiding reality.
October 31, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Seems to be all anybody talks about. I was looking for stats on changes in under 25s UK population yesterday and all I could find was analysis by ethnicity. And the AI response claimed exactly the same figures for the 2011 & 2021 censuses. Algorithms are hiding reality.
*Who* taught the robot how to fold shirts?
October 30, 2025 at 6:06 AM
*Who* taught the robot how to fold shirts?
Indeed. Diagnoses are only being used to raise the eligibility threshold, which has no impact on children's actual needs.
October 29, 2025 at 5:15 AM
Indeed. Diagnoses are only being used to raise the eligibility threshold, which has no impact on children's actual needs.
The system has *always* been underfunded and understaffed. Governments since the mid 19thc have wanted a one-size-fits-all education system and have been perplexed when it doesn't fit 20% of students.
October 28, 2025 at 5:00 AM
The system has *always* been underfunded and understaffed. Governments since the mid 19thc have wanted a one-size-fits-all education system and have been perplexed when it doesn't fit 20% of students.
Perhaps they should move away from 'diagnosis' and towards 'needs' which is how the system' statutory duties are framed.
October 28, 2025 at 4:57 AM
Perhaps they should move away from 'diagnosis' and towards 'needs' which is how the system' statutory duties are framed.
Is 'hepatitas' a Mexican snack?
October 27, 2025 at 4:10 AM
Is 'hepatitas' a Mexican snack?
With the emphasis being on *properly* rather than adequately. Far too much central control of arbitrary budgets.
October 24, 2025 at 3:57 AM
With the emphasis being on *properly* rather than adequately. Far too much central control of arbitrary budgets.
Once sat in a ward watching this happen to another patient. Dreadful. Sending hopeful vibes.
October 15, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Once sat in a ward watching this happen to another patient. Dreadful. Sending hopeful vibes.
We used to just turn up and get a same day appointment, no phone call required. Thatcher’s appointment time targets put paid to that.
October 8, 2025 at 11:53 AM
We used to just turn up and get a same day appointment, no phone call required. Thatcher’s appointment time targets put paid to that.
Isn’t it a gap she already has powers to bridge? If she’s advised protests are likely to lead to serious disorder?
October 5, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Isn’t it a gap she already has powers to bridge? If she’s advised protests are likely to lead to serious disorder?