Square Pegs: Inclusivity, compassion and fitting in – a guide for schools - Softcover

Fran Morgan; Ellie Costello

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1781354103 ISBN 13: 9781781354100

Publisher: Independent Thinking Press, 2023

Synopsis

Written by Fran Morgan with Ellie Costello and edited by Ian Gilbert, Square Pegs: Inclusivity, compassion and fitting in – a guide for schools is a book for educators who find themselves torn between a government/Ofsted narrative around behaviour, attendance and attainment, and their own passion for supporting square pegs and their families.

Over the last few years, changes in education have made it increasingly hard for those children who don’t ‘fit’ the system – the square pegs in a rigid system of round holes.

Budget cuts, the loss of support staff, an overly academic curriculum, problems in the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system and difficulties accessing mental health support have all compounded pre-existing problems with behaviour and attendance. The ‘attendance = attainment’ and zero-tolerance narrative is often at odds with the way schools want to work with their communities, and many school leaders don't know which approach to take.

This book will be invaluable in guiding leaders and teaching staff through the most effective ways to address this challenge. It covers a broad spectrum of opportunity, from proven psychological approaches to technological innovations. It tests the boundaries of the current system in terms of curriculum, pedagogy and statutory Department for Education guidance. And it also presents a clear, legalese-free view of education, SEND and human rights law, where leaders have been given responsibility for its implementation but may not always fully understand the legal ramifications of their decisions or may be pressured into unlawful behaviour.

Bringing different perspectives and expertise together in one place, Square Pegs aims to help school leaders and staff support children (and their families) more effectively. The authors cover a wide variety of topics – including school attendance, building relationships, trauma-informed practice, and behaviour management. Featuring contributions from more than 50 individual authors, this is an accessible, dip-in, dip-out book – perfect for busy school leaders.

Suitable for all professionals working in education and the related issues surrounding children and young people’s mental health, as well as policymakers, academics and government ministers.

About this title

About the Author

Fran Morgan

Fran Morgan founded Square Peg in 2019, following her own daughter’s struggles in the education system, and with clear evidence that there were (and still are) a growing number of square pegs. Square Peg has always been about effecting change, and works closely with another organisation – Not Fine In School – which supports the same children and families.

Ellie Costello

Ellie Costello joined Square Peg as Director in 2020, having experienced life as the parent of two children with hidden disabilities and chronic illness, which impacted their ability to access and ‘fit’ the education system. She now runs the organisation, as well as working as an Expert By Experience with local authority and health teams in her home county of Warwickshire.

Edition details

• Publisher: Independent Thinking Press
• Publication date: 2023
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1781354103
• ISBN 13: 9781781354100
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 350
• Editor: Ian Gilbert