Sara AlstonApr 66 minThe SEND Review: Too much what and very little howMy first thoughts as I read the description of the broken SEND system in the SEND Review: Right support, right place, right time was a...
Sara AlstonDec 26, 20213 minIs the call for volunteers in schools just a paper towel? In many ways, I have severe reservations about Nadhim Zahawi and the DfE’s plan to ask a volunteer army of retired teachers to return to...
Sara AlstonOct 15, 20215 minDyslexia: A personal storyEven though it underlies all my work and my approach to education, I have written little about my personal experience of dyslexia. I was...
Sara AlstonJul 11, 202116 minKCSIE 2021: What you need to know and possible actions for schoolsKeeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2021 was released on 6th July. It is a weighty tone (168 pages). Not surprisingly, there are...
Sara AlstonJun 13, 20216 minThoughts on the OFSTED Review on Sexual Abuse in schools In December 2017, the DfE released their guidance on Sexual violence and sexual harassment between children (updated May 2018). This was...
Sara AlstonJan 24, 20215 minOnline learning: Caught between a rock and a hard placeThis lockdown is different for schools. It is very hard on teachers, parents and children. We are managing constant government policy and...
Sara AlstonDec 29, 20203 minLife with dyspraxia: A Guest blog from Sam AlstonWhen I try to explain dyspraxia, I often explain it as a wiring problem. My brain is connected slightly differently to many other people....
Sara AlstonDec 29, 20208 minConsultation for KCSIE 2021After the aborted consultation on Keeping Children Safe in Education 2020, the government have released a consultation on Keeping...
Sara AlstonDec 14, 20205 minWTSC 2018: More than a few changesOn 9th December 2020, the government issued an updated version of Working Together to Safeguard Children. It is still branded as Working...
Sara AlstonOct 24, 20206 minWhen bubbles become boxes- Schools in the world of CovidAs we struggle to half term, I find myself reflecting on the impact of Covid and the lockdown on schools. We started this term with a...
Sara AlstonJun 23, 20209 minKeeping Children Safe in Education 2020: summary and possible actions for schools Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2020: summary and possible actions for schools
Sara AlstonMay 25, 20206 minA Sense of Dissonance and the Return to SchoolThe current policy about the return school is not promoting children's education or welfare.
Sara AlstonMay 21, 20206 minCoronavirus (Covid-19): Safeguarding in schools, colleges and other providers- updated May 20th. A summary and possible actions from the Safeguarding Guidance for schools published on May 20th 2020
Sara AlstonApr 28, 202012 minY problemau niferus o ddychwelyd i'r ysgol: My blog on the full re-opening of school in Welsh.Yn ôl i'r ysgol Mae dychwelyd i ysgolion pan y byddan nhw’n gwbl agored ar ôl y cyfyngiadau (‘lockdown’) Covid-19 yn mynd i fod yn anodd....
Sara AlstonApr 17, 202011 minThe many problems of returning to schoolMy thoughts about the issues schools will face when they re-open fully after the lockdown, including some ideas to help prepare for this.
Sara AlstonMar 28, 20207 minSafeguarding during Covid-19: summary and actions for schools.This is a summary of the DfE guidance of March 27th 2020 with suggested actions schools need to take.
Sara AlstonMar 8, 20203 minCoronavirus- Thoughts and Resources for schoolsThoughts and resources to support schools to cope with Coronavirus
Sara AlstonMar 4, 20209 minDraft KCSIE 2020 and the role of the DSLThe update of Keeping Safe in Education for 2020 has been released for consultation. This is a substantial rewrite.
Sara AlstonDec 10, 20198 minMORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS: THE DFE SEN DATA MAY 2019 June 4, 2019 At the end of May the DfE released two sets of data relating to Special Educational Needs (SEN): Special needs: An analysis...
Sara AlstonDec 10, 20191 minSEPTEMBER 2019 UPDATESFor the new school year, the government has produced a finalised version of Keeping Children Safe in Education 2019. There are not...