Transatlantic calls
I’ve just returned from a very informative half-term trip to New York, looking at the education system there and how support for children with special needs differs from here.
The US is facing the same challenges as us when it comes to education: an increase in the number of students needing specialist support, the lasting impact of the pandemic on learning and behaviour, the growing awareness of the need for early intervention, recruitment and retention challenges, increased financial pressures and challenges in meeting demand.
However, unlike us, IEPs (Individual Education Plans or Programs) are still mandatory there. The approach is to give students all the support they need to succeed without fighting parents/carers to do so.
The New York department of education do not even contemplate tribunals. Instead, they are committed to increasing the use of technology and prioritising the needs of students with disabilities, particularly those from marginalised groups. I was very impressed.
Dial down internet
Like us, the US is also struggling with the influence of smartphones on teaching and learning. There too, there is talk of implementing a mobile phone ban across all schools. In fact, half of all states have already passed legislation restricting or banning mobile phones using innovative approaches.
While I was out there, I found myself reading an article on the various ways schools and districts have gone about implementing these bans. The solutions in this article include the use of signal-blocking pouches just like those made by the company former schools minister Nick Gibb is strategically advising.
I wonder if he’ll manage to move the dial here.
Don’t stand by
While in New York, I also had the chance to catch up with Right to Be, who partner with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust in the UK to deliver bystander intervention training.
From 1 August 2025, our universities will see a new condition of registration requiring them to set out how they will implement policies and procedures for tackling harassment and sexual misconduct.
This action is long overdue, and this article outlines how three universities are adapting. Let’s hope the rest are too – and schools hear the call.
Find my phone
I left some things behind in New York. Literally. My trainers in a cab. My water bottle in Times Square. And my hearing aids in a bath house. (Thankfully I got these back).
Having ADHD can make it challenging to keep track of belongings, especially in a fast-paced environment like New York (or a school). My experiences as an adult with identified needs are a reminder of how hard and frustrating it can be for neurodivergent adults and children to navigate the system without support.
Thankfully, I have that now and there is a lot more openness about neurodiversity and what the everyday challenges look like. And if you have ADHD yourself – or work with someone who does – then this article offers six expert tips to manage this unhelpful trait.
Network disconnection
Ben Hobbis recently shared his intention to resign as chair and CEO of the Step Up network, which he set up to support new and aspiring leaders in education.
His blog post, entitled ‘Stepping back rather than stepping up’ caught my attention due to its title. His sentiment echoes that of many educators who battle with the decision of whether to ‘walk away or try harder’, and I admire Ben for prioritising his own well-being.
Page refresh
Finally, I’ve been hearing more and more that Substack is the place to be for informed conversation, and I have to say I like what I’ve seen so far. To get you started, they even have a handy guide to the top 25 education newsletters and podcasts on their site. But be warned, it contains some adult themes and content.
Sarah Johnson’s Substack page claims ‘I generally have nothing to bring except for random musings’ but I have always found Sarah’s social media posts to be extremely helpful. Take, for example, her recent blog on the DFE’s behaviour and attendance ambassador roles. Perhaps there is a real opportunity for fresh ideas.
Your thoughts