Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Simon Knight

DamsonEd @damsoned.bsky.social · 1d

I know how hard it was for all. The Government showed a breathtaking level of incompetence and lack of insight into the sector and how it actually functions.

For many of us, there will be life long lasting effects.

And after spending a year in the care of the NHS - I know it is the same.

1 2

Simon Knight @simonknight100.bsky.social · 1d

we’re badly let down during that period, and not because Government didn’t know what the implications for us were, but because they chose not to act. The decisions we were forced to make and the conversations we were forced to have as a result, have left a lasting impression. 2/2

1 1 2

Simon Knight @simonknight100.bsky.social · 1d

I still remember the intake of breath caused by Gavin Williamson’s announcement that everyone with an EHCP would be entitled to face to face education, and the realisation that it would be impossible to deliver under the wider guidance because of staff being directed to shield. Special schools 1/2

1 1 2

Simon Knight @simonknight100.bsky.social · 1d

It’s bonkers, and even when you get it on prescription it comes in a monthly block allocation from the pharmacy rather than weekly allocation via the supermarket. Wales have got a much better solution.

www.gov.wales/wales-rolls-...

Wales rolls out subsidy card for gluten-free food | GOV.WALES

A new pre-paid card will be rolled out across Wales to give people who receive gluten-free food on prescription greater choice and freedom.

www.gov.wales

3

Reposted by Simon Knight

Jonny H @poppop.studio · 3d

There's also this
www.parentfriendlyschools.org/p/framework

Parent-Friendly Schools

Powering parent participation at UK schools to raise attendance, attainment and wellbeing for children by bringing schools and homes closer together.

www.parentfriendlyschools.org

1 2

Simon Knight @simonknight100.bsky.social · 3d

If you don’t have one already you will need to create an account, buy it is free.

1

Simon Knight @simonknight100.bsky.social · 3d

This might be a helpful resource to share, with the intention schools can answer the questions and share the leaflet with families.

asset.nasen.org.uk/a_guide_to_m...

asset.nasen.org.uk

2 3

Reposted by Simon Knight

ianVisits @ianvisits.co.uk · 5d

In memoriam...

59 1.6K 5.5K

Reposted by Simon Knight

National Association of Special Schools (NASS) @nasschools.bsky.social · 6d

“There remains a crucial role for special schools in supporting children with the most complex needs.”
– Claire Burton (DfE) opens #NASSConf2025, highlighting the vital place of specialist provision in a more inclusive system #SpecialEducation #Inclusion #Collaboration

1 2 2

Reposted by Simon Knight

National Association of Special Schools (NASS) @nasschools.bsky.social · 6d

“Special schools are more than policy and regulation — they’re about Purpose, People & Passion.”
– Claire Dorer OBE, #NASSConf2025
Focus on the human, embrace collaboration, and reduce division. #SEND #SpecialEducation #Inclusion

1 1 2

Simon Knight @simonknight100.bsky.social · 6d

Agree or disagree, it's always nice when Roy pops up with his thoughts on an educational topic. Few people have caused me to think harder about education than Roy Blatchford, and this piece in @tesmagazine.bsky.social certainly helps stimulate debate.
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...

7 bold SEND reform ideas the system needs

Fairer funding, more local provision and no spending on for-profit independent schools - these are some of the ways the SEND support system can be improved, says Roy Blatchford

www.tes.com

1

Reposted by Simon Knight

Jim Lauder @mrjlauder.bsky.social · 8d

Yes, although in the longer term better relationships will decrease workload, I would hope, as attendance and behaviour improves.

1 4

Simon Knight @simonknight100.bsky.social · 8d

And working out how to achieve that without massively increasing workload is complicated.

2 3

Simon Knight @simonknight100.bsky.social · 8d

Yes. One of the greatest shifts we experienced as parents was moving from the relational experience of primary, to a highly transactional experience in secondary. COVID probably didn’t help, but despite being highly engaged in our children’s education we don’t have a relationship with their school.

1 5

Simon Knight @simonknight100.bsky.social · 8d

This is a really important piece from @escservices.bsky.social

schoolsweek.co.uk/labours-send...

Labour’s SEND reforms must re-balance education and health

Misuse of the SEN and SEND terms started with 2014 reforms and have since skewed the landscape

schoolsweek.co.uk

1 5

Reposted by Simon Knight

Chris Chivers @chrischivers.bsky.social · 11d

There are multiple dynamics at play in any classroom, not least the "director" of learning; the teacher's career experience will determine the direction, speed, quality assurance (assessment) and subsequent decisions. In house mentoring, supporting assessment reflection is key in early career.

1 2

Simon Knight @simonknight100.bsky.social · 12d

The relationship feels quite consumerist at the moment and what we need is a more consistently intellectual relationship with the evidence bases we use, we build and we critique. This is particularly important in supporting children who find learning harder.

1 3

Simon Knight @simonknight100.bsky.social · 12d

These are the sorts of things I mean when I say I’m worried about OfSTED making comments about schools relying‘explicitly on the best available evidence”, when we often have to build the evidence ourselves. What we do need is a better way of validating and sharing the evidence we create.

2 2 3

Simon Knight @simonknight100.bsky.social · 12d

framework necessary for phonics to be understood and functionally applied. It meant that when phonics was introduced we were far more confident that it would be a successful introduction. The impact on children moving from our in house pre-reading scheme to a formal reading scheme was notable. 2/2

1 2

Simon Knight @simonknight100.bsky.social · 12d

It started as an investigation into the effectiveness of phonics in the context of children with SLD, most of whom were KS2/3 in age. What it turned in to was a detailed breakdown of prerequisites for phonics that when taught specifically and often in conceptual isolation, built the conceptual 1/2

1 2

Simon Knight @simonknight100.bsky.social · 12d

but also the why of developmental delays or gaps in knowledge is vital if future progress is to be secure. A good example of this was when we wrote a deconstruction of the conceptual prerequisites for phonemic fluency. The ‘what’ was struggling with phonics, the possible ‘why’ was pages long. 2/2

1 3

Simon Knight @simonknight100.bsky.social · 12d

There is lots of important points in this from @didau.bsky.social One of the areas that I believe is given too little thought when discussing the value of partnership between mainstream and special schools is assessment, particularly of foundational concepts. Understanding not just the what, 1/2

David Didau @didau.bsky.social · 12d

NEW If assessment is the bridge between teaching & learning, what happens when the bridge is raised? Too often poor assessment leads to labelling, misplaced intervention & children stranded on the far bank. Thanks to @rlrossi64.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/daviddid...

When the bridge is down: how poor assessment creates needless struggle

Why mistaking noise for rigour and silence for low ability leaves the most vulnerable students stranded

open.substack.com

1 2 6

Simon Knight @simonknight100.bsky.social · 12d

Football/Football/Takeaway

Reposted by Simon Knight

Aaron King @9000lives.org · 12d

#BIGQuestions are a regular dose of reflection.

So, on autumn days, how do great governors show appreciation to school leaders and staff?

@danigov.bsky.social @rachelj47127149.bsky.social
@hoylerosemary.bsky.social @sallyfarsley.bsky.social
@simonknight100.bsky.social @forrishilier.bsky.social

1 3 3

Reposted by Simon Knight

Charlotte Santry @charlottesantry.bsky.social · 13d

Is Ofsted’s inclusion measure fair to over-capacity special schools directed to take pupils whose needs they’re not equipped to meet?

Lots of concern from the specialist sector here inc from @simonknight100.bsky.social and @warrencarratt.bsky.social

Great reporting by @johngroberts.bsky.social

Special schools fear ‘subjective’ Ofsted judgements

Inclusion focus risks ‘danger’ for schools directed to take on pupils whose needs they cannot meet, warns leader

www.tes.com

2 4 3