Square Peg
@teamsquarepeg.bsky.social
Because one size doesn't fit all in education | EBE led, grassroots, strategic specialists in persistent absence + barriers to school attendance | #squarepegs book
Campaign | Collaborate | Innovate
www.teamsquarepeg.org
Campaign | Collaborate | Innovate
www.teamsquarepeg.org
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Square Peg
@teamsquarepeg.bsky.social
· Nov 3
One of the most important themes we’re exploring and have been formulating for the last 5 years is what can be learned from other sectors getting things right.
It lies at the heart of our book #SquarePegs, drawing on one of our most talked about chapters Lessons from a 999 Call.
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It lies at the heart of our book #SquarePegs, drawing on one of our most talked about chapters Lessons from a 999 Call.
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Reposted by Square Peg
We’re so pleased to be sponsoring 'Everybody Thriving: How can we promote wellbeing and a love of learning?' - a one-day event from Rethinking Ed, @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social and @edpolalliance.bsky.social.
📅 Saturday 11 October
📍 St Ambrose Barlow RC High School, Swinton
🎫 buff.ly/XP5WYQv
📅 Saturday 11 October
📍 St Ambrose Barlow RC High School, Swinton
🎫 buff.ly/XP5WYQv
September 24, 2025 at 2:29 PM
We’re so pleased to be sponsoring 'Everybody Thriving: How can we promote wellbeing and a love of learning?' - a one-day event from Rethinking Ed, @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social and @edpolalliance.bsky.social.
📅 Saturday 11 October
📍 St Ambrose Barlow RC High School, Swinton
🎫 buff.ly/XP5WYQv
📅 Saturday 11 October
📍 St Ambrose Barlow RC High School, Swinton
🎫 buff.ly/XP5WYQv
Reposted by Square Peg
This amazing event is both online and face-to-face, so wherever you are in the world, you will be most welcome! It's an 'unconference' designed to crowd-source ideas for how we might increase wellbeing within the constraints of the current system #wearethesystem
Link 👇
Link 👇
September 22, 2025 at 7:21 PM
This amazing event is both online and face-to-face, so wherever you are in the world, you will be most welcome! It's an 'unconference' designed to crowd-source ideas for how we might increase wellbeing within the constraints of the current system #wearethesystem
Link 👇
Link 👇
Reposted by Square Peg
🎧 When we design for the most marginalised, everyone benefits. Too many children feel like square pegs in round holes, explains Ellie Costello of @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social. Listen to episode 8 of Talking Inclusion... with @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social now!
open.spotify.com/episode/64dD...
open.spotify.com/episode/64dD...
“Square pegs, round holes” with Ellie Costello
Talking Inclusion… With Geoff Barton · Episode
open.spotify.com
September 12, 2025 at 11:26 AM
🎧 When we design for the most marginalised, everyone benefits. Too many children feel like square pegs in round holes, explains Ellie Costello of @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social. Listen to episode 8 of Talking Inclusion... with @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social now!
open.spotify.com/episode/64dD...
open.spotify.com/episode/64dD...
Reposted by Square Peg
I love hearing about schools that offer some curriculum flex. Carr Manor in Leeds timetables interest-based learning 1 day/wk for KS3
- described in this @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social book. Promotes inclusion & engagement.
www.crownhouse.co.uk/square-pegs
- described in this @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social book. Promotes inclusion & engagement.
www.crownhouse.co.uk/square-pegs
Square Pegs
Square Pegs by Fran Morgan with Ellie Costello
www.crownhouse.co.uk
August 29, 2025 at 1:45 PM
I love hearing about schools that offer some curriculum flex. Carr Manor in Leeds timetables interest-based learning 1 day/wk for KS3
- described in this @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social book. Promotes inclusion & engagement.
www.crownhouse.co.uk/square-pegs
- described in this @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social book. Promotes inclusion & engagement.
www.crownhouse.co.uk/square-pegs
Reposted by Square Peg
Hearing @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social talking to #jamesobrien was so refreshing.
I couldn’t agree more.
I couldn’t agree more.
September 1, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Hearing @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social talking to #jamesobrien was so refreshing.
I couldn’t agree more.
I couldn’t agree more.
Reposted by Square Peg
And they say you shouldn't meet your heroes...
Wonderful afternoon setting the world to rights with @audreyt.org and Gisele Chou, co-authors (among many others) of the uber-fascinating and inspiring Plurality
Geeking out at the Ashmolean with @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social & the amazing Finn!
Wonderful afternoon setting the world to rights with @audreyt.org and Gisele Chou, co-authors (among many others) of the uber-fascinating and inspiring Plurality
Geeking out at the Ashmolean with @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social & the amazing Finn!
September 2, 2025 at 9:42 PM
And they say you shouldn't meet your heroes...
Wonderful afternoon setting the world to rights with @audreyt.org and Gisele Chou, co-authors (among many others) of the uber-fascinating and inspiring Plurality
Geeking out at the Ashmolean with @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social & the amazing Finn!
Wonderful afternoon setting the world to rights with @audreyt.org and Gisele Chou, co-authors (among many others) of the uber-fascinating and inspiring Plurality
Geeking out at the Ashmolean with @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social & the amazing Finn!
The introduction of short-shrift command & conquer / reward & sanction behaviour management policies in my kids’ school from 2011 started a cascade of consequences we as a family continue to face today.
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rescueourschools.co.uk/2025/02/25/c...
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rescueourschools.co.uk/2025/02/25/c...
The ultra-disciplined approach sails quite close to common sense, but it absolutely isn’t working
In 2021 our school switched from a nurturing style to one with an ultra-strict behaviour policy. The idea is to create a ‘calm environment’, but the means to get that environment is by creating a c…
rescueourschools.co.uk
June 12, 2025 at 10:16 AM
The introduction of short-shrift command & conquer / reward & sanction behaviour management policies in my kids’ school from 2011 started a cascade of consequences we as a family continue to face today.
1/
rescueourschools.co.uk/2025/02/25/c...
1/
rescueourschools.co.uk/2025/02/25/c...
Reposted by Square Peg
I ❤️ Carr Manor’s KS3 curriculum as described in Square Pegs: Inclusivity, compassion and fitting in by @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social, esp the Y9 pupils’ choice of specialised ‘study school’ learning every Monday ✨
How would you describe the quality of the KS3 curriculum in your setting?
This is a question I ask when I'm working with colleagues developing their provision.
With a handful of exceptions, the responses are not exactly buzzing, brimming or bubbling with enthusiasm...
/1
This is a question I ask when I'm working with colleagues developing their provision.
With a handful of exceptions, the responses are not exactly buzzing, brimming or bubbling with enthusiasm...
/1
March 24, 2025 at 7:03 AM
I ❤️ Carr Manor’s KS3 curriculum as described in Square Pegs: Inclusivity, compassion and fitting in by @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social, esp the Y9 pupils’ choice of specialised ‘study school’ learning every Monday ✨
Reposted by Square Peg
Read no.3 of 2025 - It took me a long while to get through this one, but as a parent to 2 square pegs, it was an important one. I recommend that every head teacher in the UK read this @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social
February 13, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Read no.3 of 2025 - It took me a long while to get through this one, but as a parent to 2 square pegs, it was an important one. I recommend that every head teacher in the UK read this @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social
Reposted by Square Peg
There's an interview with Ellie Costello of @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social in my new book that you might find interesting.
March 14, 2025 at 7:19 AM
There's an interview with Ellie Costello of @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social in my new book that you might find interesting.
Reposted by Square Peg
I guess maybe something like the ‘consistent commitment to include every family, to give every child every chance’ approach outlined by Lucie Larkin of Carr Manor in Square Pegs: Inclusivity, compassion and fitting in, by @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social. Their ‘staff circles’ idea is awesome 💕
March 14, 2025 at 10:27 AM
I guess maybe something like the ‘consistent commitment to include every family, to give every child every chance’ approach outlined by Lucie Larkin of Carr Manor in Square Pegs: Inclusivity, compassion and fitting in, by @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social. Their ‘staff circles’ idea is awesome 💕
Reposted by Square Peg
Cliched explanations for the attendance crisis – such as shifting attitudes and the prevalence of working from home – ignore the real issues facing children across the country, says Ellie Costello from @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social
Attendance crisis: cliched explanations help no one
Attendance was a growing concern before the pandemic, so let’s not resort to simple answers to explain what’s going on now, says Ellie Costello from Square Peg
www.tes.com
March 5, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Cliched explanations for the attendance crisis – such as shifting attitudes and the prevalence of working from home – ignore the real issues facing children across the country, says Ellie Costello from @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social
Well, truly humbled to have been asked to write about attendance for @tesmagazine.bsky.social by @jonsevers.bsky.social.
Grateful to be given the opportunity to add some context re. narratives around what’s ‘motivating’ families. Often, the reasons are heartbreaking.
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
Grateful to be given the opportunity to add some context re. narratives around what’s ‘motivating’ families. Often, the reasons are heartbreaking.
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
Attendance crisis: cliched explanations help no one
Attendance was a growing concern before the pandemic, so let’s not resort to simple answers to explain what’s going on now, says Ellie Costello from Square Peg
www.tes.com
March 5, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Well, truly humbled to have been asked to write about attendance for @tesmagazine.bsky.social by @jonsevers.bsky.social.
Grateful to be given the opportunity to add some context re. narratives around what’s ‘motivating’ families. Often, the reasons are heartbreaking.
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
Grateful to be given the opportunity to add some context re. narratives around what’s ‘motivating’ families. Often, the reasons are heartbreaking.
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
Reposted by Square Peg
The opposite of 'inclusive design's is not 'normal design' - it's 'exclusionary design'. Or if, like me, you are feeling spicy 'hostile design'.
March 2, 2025 at 11:30 AM
The opposite of 'inclusive design's is not 'normal design' - it's 'exclusionary design'. Or if, like me, you are feeling spicy 'hostile design'.
Reposted by Square Peg
‘While physical punishment is no longer allowed, mental punishment is’ - Dan Rosenberg, writing in Square Pegs: Inclusivity, compassion and fitting in (2023) 😔 @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social
‘Pupils are in fear every day’: parents raise concerns about new schools run by top UK academy
‘Pupils are in fear every day’: parents raise concerns about new schools run by top UK academy
Emergency meeting called over strictness of discipline at Essex schools run by Mossbourne Federation
Parents and teachers have voiced alarm about the treatment of children at three Essex schools after they were taken over by a high-profile academy trust…
www.theguardian.com
March 2, 2025 at 9:19 AM
‘While physical punishment is no longer allowed, mental punishment is’ - Dan Rosenberg, writing in Square Pegs: Inclusivity, compassion and fitting in (2023) 😔 @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social
Made it into a pretty awesome starter pack! How lovely is that? 🥰
Thank you @beckycarlzon.bsky.social
Thank you @beckycarlzon.bsky.social
I've created an "Inspiring Educators" starter pack for top educational follows.
Check it out, "follow all", let me know who I've missed.
What a brilliant feature of @bsky.app !
#edusky
go.bsky.app/VMVq6Zd
Check it out, "follow all", let me know who I've missed.
What a brilliant feature of @bsky.app !
#edusky
go.bsky.app/VMVq6Zd
February 26, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Made it into a pretty awesome starter pack! How lovely is that? 🥰
Thank you @beckycarlzon.bsky.social
Thank you @beckycarlzon.bsky.social
Wow! Feeling the BlueSkyLove! Thank you @kezzasett.bsky.social 🥰
Read no.3 of 2025 - It took me a long while to get through this one, but as a parent to 2 square pegs, it was an important one. I recommend that every head teacher in the UK read this @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social
February 26, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Wow! Feeling the BlueSkyLove! Thank you @kezzasett.bsky.social 🥰
Heart is brimming & brain buzzing after time w a courageous, determined HT who wants to work w SP after reading our book, buying 70 copies for staff, kids, parents to read & share, which has led to more collaborative convos & insights in last 6 mths than ever before for this HT & sch community.
February 22, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Heart is brimming & brain buzzing after time w a courageous, determined HT who wants to work w SP after reading our book, buying 70 copies for staff, kids, parents to read & share, which has led to more collaborative convos & insights in last 6 mths than ever before for this HT & sch community.
Yesterday was just wonderful.
ASCL Pastoral Leadership conference is a pretty special space.
Excellent to listen to @pepediiasio.bsky.social on ChWB Schs Bill; Tom Shaw Carr Manor; Soofia Amin Ken Primary Sch & join panel @nicoleponsford.bsky.social & fabulous colleagues chaired by Phil NAPCE.
ASCL Pastoral Leadership conference is a pretty special space.
Excellent to listen to @pepediiasio.bsky.social on ChWB Schs Bill; Tom Shaw Carr Manor; Soofia Amin Ken Primary Sch & join panel @nicoleponsford.bsky.social & fabulous colleagues chaired by Phil NAPCE.
January 29, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Yesterday was just wonderful.
ASCL Pastoral Leadership conference is a pretty special space.
Excellent to listen to @pepediiasio.bsky.social on ChWB Schs Bill; Tom Shaw Carr Manor; Soofia Amin Ken Primary Sch & join panel @nicoleponsford.bsky.social & fabulous colleagues chaired by Phil NAPCE.
ASCL Pastoral Leadership conference is a pretty special space.
Excellent to listen to @pepediiasio.bsky.social on ChWB Schs Bill; Tom Shaw Carr Manor; Soofia Amin Ken Primary Sch & join panel @nicoleponsford.bsky.social & fabulous colleagues chaired by Phil NAPCE.
Reposted by Square Peg
We're expanding our GEC Platform with a Parent & Carer module to build inclusive, equitable & supportive school communities 💗 but we need your help...
To be part of this groundbreaking work, simply add your details here: share.hsforms.com/1BtUPMOhITV-...
#EdTech #EduSky #EduSkyPrimary
To be part of this groundbreaking work, simply add your details here: share.hsforms.com/1BtUPMOhITV-...
#EdTech #EduSky #EduSkyPrimary
January 21, 2025 at 5:04 PM
We're expanding our GEC Platform with a Parent & Carer module to build inclusive, equitable & supportive school communities 💗 but we need your help...
To be part of this groundbreaking work, simply add your details here: share.hsforms.com/1BtUPMOhITV-...
#EdTech #EduSky #EduSkyPrimary
To be part of this groundbreaking work, simply add your details here: share.hsforms.com/1BtUPMOhITV-...
#EdTech #EduSky #EduSkyPrimary
Reposted by Square Peg
Also, thanks to @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social and @nataliepacker.bsky.social for their helpful contributions.
This isn't about criticism of schools - none are named.
But it does ask "Surely we can do better?"
This isn't about criticism of schools - none are named.
But it does ask "Surely we can do better?"
November 25, 2024 at 12:38 PM
Also, thanks to @teamsquarepeg.bsky.social and @nataliepacker.bsky.social for their helpful contributions.
This isn't about criticism of schools - none are named.
But it does ask "Surely we can do better?"
This isn't about criticism of schools - none are named.
But it does ask "Surely we can do better?"
Topics on the other place that have been hard to navigate this week:
Isolating kids
Restraining kids
Vexatious parents
Institutional harm
In no other sector are these themes dismissed, denied, misunderstood quite so much as in schools and education.
Isolating kids
Restraining kids
Vexatious parents
Institutional harm
In no other sector are these themes dismissed, denied, misunderstood quite so much as in schools and education.
November 30, 2024 at 12:09 PM
Topics on the other place that have been hard to navigate this week:
Isolating kids
Restraining kids
Vexatious parents
Institutional harm
In no other sector are these themes dismissed, denied, misunderstood quite so much as in schools and education.
Isolating kids
Restraining kids
Vexatious parents
Institutional harm
In no other sector are these themes dismissed, denied, misunderstood quite so much as in schools and education.
Reposted by Square Peg
The sector needs to stop, listen, and engage… forcing chn into schools that cannot support their needs, or worse, place them in a constant state of stress, is immoral. We are punishing chn and families for struggling within a system that was not built for them.
www.linkedin.com/posts/adam-v...
www.linkedin.com/posts/adam-v...
Adam Vasco on LinkedIn: Primary school pupil suspensions in England double in a decade
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…
www.linkedin.com
November 21, 2024 at 7:26 AM
The sector needs to stop, listen, and engage… forcing chn into schools that cannot support their needs, or worse, place them in a constant state of stress, is immoral. We are punishing chn and families for struggling within a system that was not built for them.
www.linkedin.com/posts/adam-v...
www.linkedin.com/posts/adam-v...
Reposted by Square Peg
90% of excluded primary school kids have additional needs.
We are failing them.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We are failing them.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Primary school pupil suspensions in England double in a decade
Mum Jo says Jacob is very caring but sensory issues led to him being excluded for disruptive behaviour.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 21, 2024 at 7:47 AM
90% of excluded primary school kids have additional needs.
We are failing them.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We are failing them.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Good Golly Miss Molly!
An absolute privilege to spk at today’s ARC conference. How do you follow the incredible @pauldixbehaviour.bsky.social & the utterly wonderful @floellabenjamin.bsky.social? By taking a deep breath, following their lead, sharing authentically & courageously.
What an honour.
An absolute privilege to spk at today’s ARC conference. How do you follow the incredible @pauldixbehaviour.bsky.social & the utterly wonderful @floellabenjamin.bsky.social? By taking a deep breath, following their lead, sharing authentically & courageously.
What an honour.
November 19, 2024 at 5:39 PM
Good Golly Miss Molly!
An absolute privilege to spk at today’s ARC conference. How do you follow the incredible @pauldixbehaviour.bsky.social & the utterly wonderful @floellabenjamin.bsky.social? By taking a deep breath, following their lead, sharing authentically & courageously.
What an honour.
An absolute privilege to spk at today’s ARC conference. How do you follow the incredible @pauldixbehaviour.bsky.social & the utterly wonderful @floellabenjamin.bsky.social? By taking a deep breath, following their lead, sharing authentically & courageously.
What an honour.