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

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Interesting memoir by a guy who grew up in the 80's and 90's with severe ADHD. He dropped out of high school after failing too many classes to graduate, but did get his GED, go on to college, and eventually grad school...ending up teaching at Harvard. I am at the midpoint in the book where he is starting to get his act together. Up to this point I think he is a sociopath who is coddled by his mother. His father seems a distant and strict character who does not try to make any attachment with him and does not try a more personal approach to modifying his behavior. As a child he is totally self-involved with no desire to control his behavior (and, again, not much real help in getting it corrected). He proved that he could have changed his behavior any time it benefited him when he reinvented himself at the new school ... and again when his girlfriend got pregnant and he decided that it behooved him to become responsible. At both of these times he was, again, self-serving and it continued to be 'all about' him. At this point, also, I don't see how he gave any indication of being an innovator, visionary or out-of-the-box thinker; he was just a stinker. For the good of every child and, indeed, of educators themselves (most of whom want to provide the best possible learning experiences and strive to do so in spite of our one-size-fits-all model for education), it’s time to listen to the canaries in the cages – the children who simply cannot cope, let alone thrive, within our restrictive, reductive system. Change made for those who suffer most will benefit the whole school community. 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.

This book offers a wealth of practical examples of how collaboration between schools and families, alongside the will to make a culture shift, can lead to successful inclusion practices. It is very readable and contains practical advice and solutions, framed within the current educational context, that leaders, teachers and support staff can use to create the right systems and support to ensure that every child and young person really is more than just ‘fine in school’. 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.We should all be grateful to Square Peg for all they do to advocate for children who need most help, and for showing how schools and parents can work together with children to provide a positive environment to learn. Every child deserves the best start in life, and positive outcomes for all children must be at the heart of a successful education system. The story of the Square Peg is a book every parent who has a troubled child should read. There are so many parents out there who have forgotten what it means to be a kid, especially being a kid in today's times. I'm not sure when it happens, but it seems that as soon as adults turn into parents, they lose all sense of reality and common sense. They like to believe that what they are doing is best for their kids, when sometimes it is not. This book explains the trouble the author had growing up because of all the trouble he got himself into. His impulsivity always made him look like a kid with no future and no chance of doing anything good with his life. Boy, did he prove them wrong. In recent years, many schools in England have started to implement strict policies around behaviour, curriculum and attendance. As the screws tighten, more and more square pegs (read ‘deeply distressed young people’) have started voting with their feet. When you stop going to school, it creates all kinds of problems: home visits, financial penalties and, incredibly, the threat of custodial sentences for the parents and carers of persistent ‘offenders'. The fact that so many young people should choose such strife over attending school should tell us something very important about their lived experience of our one-size-fits-all education system. It seems likely that increasing numbers of square pegs will continue voting with their feet until we reach crisis point. But this crisis can be averted if we listen to the voices of those affected now. This brilliantly curated book is an absolute must-read for anyone interested in creating a more diverse, empathic, responsive educational ecosystem that works for all young people. Key features of the compelling, insightful and at times challenging book is that it encourages practitioners at the coal face, in a wide range of roles, to discuss what works for them by offering positive and practical strategies for teachers at all levels. But while the variety of voices and stories is one of the book’s strengths, it is also one of its key limitations. With 53 different perspectives, some of which offer contradictory views and others that repeat what has already been covered, the book at times left me feeling a bit muddled, wondering which viewpoint was the most valid or credible and whether repetition lent certain arguments more weight.

This book should be required reading for all SENCOs and headteachers in the UK, and even beyond. This book explains why the current school system fails certain children specifically and all children in a broader context. 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. If all you want is facts and research results so you can find their flaws, read research journals, and leave this one alone. One last thing, don't read this book hoping to copy everything the author did, read this book so you can understand what to look for in your child's environment that is hurting them and helping them so you know what you need to do. Overall, "Square Pegs" is a valuable resource for those working in schools. The book provides insightful and empowering perspectives on the experiences and challenges faced by individuals who do not fit ordinary school criteria. It is a thought-provoking read that challenges readers to reconsider their views on inclusivity, compassion, and fitting in. This book is a must-read for educators and school leaders seeking to create a better future for our students.Autism is a spectrum condition and affects people in different ways. Like all people, autistic people have their own strengths and weaknesses. Social interaction and communication can be difficult for some autistic people but others may enjoy it. Intense interests and repetitive behaviour are often seen along with differing sensory experiences'. One of the ways to reach struggling students is to use digital technology in the classroom. Currently I am teaching with digital media (Ipads in the classroom) and am rethinking and relearning a new way to teach my curriculum. I am trying to create a paperless classroom (the wave of the future) as well as being creative with lessons on the Ipads. I love it and I believe my students do too. I plan to teach the staff in my building some of the techniques I am trying digitally in my classroom. I love to be an innovator! Did I mention I have ADD?

To be generous to it, this scattergun approach does get you thinking and encourages you to form your own opinions. But while showcasing so many voices lends the book some weight, I can’t help but feel that it’s lost without a clear sense of where and how to apply it. A more coherent and aligned set of views would have allowed for a clearer and more impactful message.I've been reading a lot about education lately. I got this book because of this NPR article, "Standards, Grades And Tests Are Wildly Outdated, Argues 'End Of Average,'" Feb. 16, 2016 ( http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/0...). I also watched his TED talk, https://youtu.be/4eBmyttcfU4. If you want your child to end up just like the author did, read this book and pray, but don't rely on the first option. Making schools more inclusive is essential to ensuring the well-being and ability to thrive of every young person. Creating a sense of belonging and using trauma-informed strategies to help the system welcome the square pegs, rather than continuing to force them into round holes, is clearly the way forward. The current government one-size-fits-all approach, particularly to SEND and behaviour, needs a rethink.

Although the author says that there is not one factor in his growth beyond being a challenging child with misbehaviors, the one thing that comes through over and over again is that his mother stood in the gap for her child and believed in him. The other beliefs about himself he discovered on his own. The book challenges readers to think deeply about the experiences of children who are labeled as "square pegs" in their education. It highlights the need for a supportive and inclusive environment in schools, where every student is given the opportunity to reach their full potential. The contributors to the book show us that by providing such an environment, square pegs are given the chance to thrive and be proud of who they are. This not only benefits the individual pupil but also enriches the entire school community, creating a diverse and accepting atmosphere where everyone is valued for their unique contributions.In an engaging, thought provoking and practically realistic analysis, Fran Morgan, Ellie Costello and their wide range of associates have unravelled the implications for learners of all ages who fail to ‘fit in’ or ‘conform’ within certain schools and colleges. They highlight the continuing inadequate responses to promote effective access, inclusion and strategies for engagement and progress for a growing number of learners. Despite this limitation, the book offers valuable insights and inspiration for those working in education. It reinforces how it is essential that we prioritise supporting our square pegs in schools and work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable education system for all. Equipping teachers with the skills and knowledge to support these pupils can have a lifelong impact on their academic, personal, and professional development. The book is set out in five parts, covering insights into individual cases, legal issues, relationships, mental health and alternative options. assisted with a BBC news story and secured national coverage ( BBC Breakfast, regional TV, local radio) in September 2019