Comments for Guerrillamum's Blog

Comment on SEN and Disability Green Paper – a few thoughts… by Criminal Defense

Criminal Defense — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 09:27:27 +0000

Powerful. I agree.

Comment on GCSE Results by guerrillamum

guerrillamum — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 12:45:29 +0000

Same here, Catherine, little brother is about to begin his GCSEs as Peter begins sixth form. Bottom line is, I am so glad we didnt’ ‘stop making a fuss’, I am glad we didn’t ‘wait and see’, and I am overjoyed that we didn’t ‘stop pestering the authorities because there are plenty of other children worse off than mine’ – yes, all of these things were said to me by teachers and doctors. Once more into the breach…

Comment on GCSE Results by Catherine

Catherine — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 19:27:10 +0000

It worked for us too. My son spent the first few weeks of reception laying by the classroom door waiting to go home. He had limited language and by the time he was 7 I was told he was low IQ and needed to be in a school for moderate learning difficulties. He has just gained 1A*, 2A, 2B, 1C and 3 Ds at GCSE. He is preparing to go to 6th form for A levels and has ambitions to go on to University. He still has difficulties associated with his language disorder but his creative talents and technical expertese more than compensate. No time to relax though, now fighting for his brother!

Comment on The Special Educational Needs Review – a statement is not enough by guerrillamum

guerrillamum — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 14:52:21 +0000

Thank you for your comment. In answer to your question as to why not home educate, my children actively wanted to go to school, and we all agreed that they were entitled to be able to go and to be able to access the curriculum safely to meet their potential. We did consider home education but felt that although it would have the effect of temporarily eliminating the adversity they might face at school in terms of bullying and difficulty with friendships etc, to simply ‘rescue’ them from these things would not necessarily enable them to cope when they encountered them in later life. We felt that the very good school we chose for our children offered excellent facilities, resources and a better opportunity for an all round education than we might be able to provide ourselves. Also, with the best will in the world, parents of disabled children can find life parenting their girls and boys really difficult. School enables everyone to have a bit of a break and the children have been able to benefit from positive input from a number of supportive adults and teachers in addition to their own parents. There are plenty of good reasons for parents to choose to home educate, and I can already hear dissension on all the above points from home educating parents, but believe me, parenting disabled children is very different from parenting children without disabilities. A good school has been a vital part of our plan to get our children to where they are today.

Comment on Last GCSE exam… by Janet O'Keefe

Janet O'Keefe — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 15:56:51 +0000

Well done you. I understand that your journey will not have been easy but all parents want for all their children is for them to leave school and have the chance of an independent adult life. There is more help and information on the transition to college or university and to adult life now. Do follow our Towards a Positive Future conferences and come next year if you can (19th June).

Comment on The Special Educational Needs Review – a statement is not enough by liveotherwise

liveotherwise — Tue, 22 May 2012 09:28:23 +0000

Reblogged this on Living otherwise and commented: I don't know any family with SEN who has got what their child needed without a fight. I know lots who home educate instead, deeming it a better use of their time and energy.

Comment on GuerrillaMum – Missing in Action by guerrillamum

guerrillamum — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 22:43:30 +0000

Hi Roger

Nice to get a nice comment. Haven’t blogged for a bit, as one of my boys is doing GCSEs and the other is choosing options – and frankly blogging can be a bit like shouting into the void. We work so hard to make sure our boys get a good education and it angers me to see these deconstructionists in the coalition wade in and wreak havoc. Thank you Ellen

Comment on GuerrillaMum – Missing in Action by Roger Saunders

Roger Saunders — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 21:05:12 +0000

Hey Ellen
You left a response to my post on the Guardian page about Gove (Democracy81) I have bookmarked your blog and shall read with interest. I work in education (university) and my wife home schooled both our children up to GCSE so I’m very interested.
Best wishes
Roger

Comment on GuerrillaMum – Missing in Action by guerrillamum

guerrillamum — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 08:38:29 +0000

Hello there

We are from the UK, so all points regarding the law and code of practices etc would not be relevant to Australia, but I hope everyone can get something from these pages! All the best, Ellen

Comment on GuerrillaMum – Missing in Action by allison

allison — Wed, 25 May 2011 22:26:56 +0000

Just wondering what country you are from . We are in Australia and wonder if the information would be valid here