Well, if ever there was an admission of the failure of the Govt's policy on Education then surely this is it... As Education Secretary Kelly was responsible for dreaming up the whole policy on 'special needs' kids being taught in mainstream educational establishements, so as far as I'm concerned the whole idea of it being a 'private matter' is totally null and void.. Now she appears to have done a complete U-Turn with regards to her own circumstances and is 'going private'... All well and good for her, but what about the rest of us....? If she has no faith in her own policies, how are ordinary parents supposed to have...?

 

 

Well, if ever there was an admission of the failure of the Govt's policy on Education then surely this is it... As Education Secretary Kelly was responsible for dreaming up the whole policy on 'special needs' kids being taught in mainstream educational establishements, so as far as I'm concerned the whole idea of it being a 'private matter' is totally null and void.. Now she appears to have done a complete U-Turn with regards to her own circumstances and is 'going private'... All well and good for her, but what about the rest of us....? If she has no faith in her own policies, how are ordinary parents supposed to have...?

 

Mixed feelings here, private school is the best way to bring up kids in this country as it is chav free and also exam results are far superior so I do not blame her doing what's best for her kid, she is no longer the education secretary so I see no real conflict of interest but it is a major PR gaffe for Labour and admitting that the education system in this country is ****ed but private school is superior so I don't blame her

 

tbh..... i couldnt give a sh1t...

tbh..... i couldnt give a sh1t...

How come? Are you constipated? :lol:

But as a parent with the money then she should be allowed to make the decision without being criticised as a former Sec for Ed.

 

If you used to be the Sec for Ed and if you had the money to give your child with learning disabilities the best possible chance, then surely you'd choose giving your child the best chance above setting an example for the school's education system?

 

Everyone knows there are faults with the education anyways. It's not like her sending her child to a private school has suddenly revealed the faults the country.

parents have the right to do what they consider the best thing for their child.

 

this child has a range of specific needs - and cannot be used as an example of all children with special needs in mainstream education.

 

also cannot be used as an example making a straight choice between private & state schools.

 

I agree with the integration of children of children with special needs into mainstream school - just not with it being used as a money saving exercise.

IMO, she has two roles - MP, and parent. What she does as an MP is our concern, what she choses to do as a parent, is not.

....but as a minister she was responsable for special needs education in the state schools...

....but as a minister she was responsable for special needs education in the state schools...

 

 

EXACTLY, and since Labour came into power almost 100 Special Needs schools have shut down, as a causal result of the Nu Labour policy of trying to integrate Special Needs kids into mainstream state schools.... Whether she has 'rights' or not is immaterial, she was instrumental in drafting the policy and now she seems to be saying "well, it's good enough for your kids, but not mine...." She actually knocked back three other very good State schools in order to go private...

 

If the policy doesn't work, then at least they should have the guts to admit it... It's pretty obvious to me that they came up with this harebrained policy and didn't actually bother to resource it properly... It's all well and good coming up with policies like this, but you need to make sure all the proper resources are in place in order for it to actually work....

 

This goes beyond her rights as a parent, and frankly that argument holds no water with me, she's a Politician, it was her policy, if the idea was good enough for her to come up with it and implement it, then she should actually stand by it now seeing as how she expects everyone else to... Or else she should admit that she got it wrong and apologise..... Oh, hang on, expecting anyone in this fukkin' Govt to admit to getting something wrong and apologising is a bit much to ask innit.....? <_<

I agree with the integration of children of children with special needs into mainstream school - just not with it being used as a money saving exercise.

 

 

But that's exactly what HAS happened.... Like I said, almost 100 special schools have closed down since this policy took hold.... This reminds me of the Tory "Care In The Community" idea that they dreamt up, close down the Asylums, supposedly for the 'good' of the mentally ill and have Social Services look after them in the community.... And, erm, I think we know just how brilliant that turned out, mainly because it was used as a 'cheap' option instead of a proper alternative..... It's essentially the same principle, close down Special Needs Schools cos they're costing too much, and bung these kids into the deep end in a State School, oh, but dont actually bother resourcing it properly, so if anything does go t*ts up, we can just blame the school.... <_< And now, Ruth fukkin' Kelly comes along and manages to get her kid out of it cos she has money... Well, good for her eh...? Sod you, I'm alright Jack.... :angry:

 

The facts are, for this whole idea to be properly resourced and funded, it would more than likely end up costing MORE to do than to actually have the Special Needs schools in the first place.... It's not a 'cheap' option, but that's how it's being used...

EXACTLY, and since Labour came into power almost 100 Special Needs schools have shut down

 

I think this is wrong. Special needs kids shouldnt be in state schools. WHY?

 

Because there lives would be a living hell thats why. Any special needs kids in a public school is gonna badly builied or picked on by there fellow pupils. I know this for fact as when i was in school any Special needs kid had no friends and was badly bullied. It unfair to put em in the state system, they should be in special needs school where they can learn in peace and at there own pace.

....but as a minister she was responsable for special needs education in the state schools...

 

and as a parent has the right to exercise her choice for what is best for her child.

and as a parent has the right to exercise her choice for what is best for her child.

 

 

..... but other mothers in the same situation have to put up with the inferior state schools which SHE was responsable for!!! lol... c'mon man!

and as a parent has the right to exercise her choice for what is best for her child.

 

Oh come on mate, she's hardly an 'ordinary parent' ffs...! She's the architect of a flawed policy that SHE HERSELF HAS CLEARLY NO FAITH IN..... So why the hell does she expect others to...? She didn't even trust her local LEA enough to do a needs assessment.... So she see's the flaws in the system (mainly cos she's responsible for them....) and makes sure her kid doesn't fall by the wayside, so what about the working class parents who have disabled kids in the tender mercy of Tower Hamlets LEA, eh...? You know, the ones WHO CAN'T AFFORD THE PRIVATE OPTION..... <_< <_<

 

Hypocrite....

it isn't just ONE person who is responsible for the mess either ^_^ it takes more than one to tango ^_^

it isn't just ONE person who is responsible for the mess either ^_^ it takes more than one to tango ^_^

 

 

you are showing a distinct lack of understanding on how politics and business work....

 

that is exactly what ministers do... the buck stops there, its what they are paid for, to do a job and take responsability.

shes not the only hypocrite though,what about the other labour mp's trying to keep their local hospitals open, when the government policy they voted on was to shut them.

 

so its ok to shut hospitals in tory/liberal seats but not labour,c'mon think labour are losing all credibility now.

shes not the only hypocrite though,what about the other labour mp's trying to keep their local hospitals open, when the government policy they voted on was to shut them.

 

so its ok to shut hospitals in tory/liberal seats but not labour,c'mon think labour are losing all credibility now.

 

 

Well Bri you certainly wont find me defending the Govt's abysmal record on the NHS either.....

you are showing a distinct lack of understanding on how politics and business work....

 

that is exactly what ministers do... the buck stops there, its what they are paid for, to do a job and take responsability.

 

Couldn't have put it better myself....

 

Matt, no offence mate, but are you blonde by any chance....?? :lol: :lol: Ruth Kelly was the Education Secretary, that means she's the one who formulates the policy, sure she liaises and stuff with others, but essentially she was the one in charge of the direction of the policy, so it very much was her responsibility and the present shambles is ultimately her doing... A former US President once operated by the now famous maxim "The buck stops here", meaning those in authority and those in power have to take responsibility for how their policies and decisions affect ordinary people and stop 'passing the buck' (with power comes responsibility..)... This present Govt we have in this country appear to want the power, but god forbid any of them actually having to take responsibility for their actions....

But that's exactly what HAS happened.... Like I said, almost 100 special schools have closed down since this policy took hold.... This reminds me of the Tory "Care In The Community" idea that they dreamt up, close down the Asylums, supposedly for the 'good' of the mentally ill and have Social Services look after them in the community.... And, erm, I think we know just how brilliant that turned out, mainly because it was used as a 'cheap' option instead of a proper alternative..... It's essentially the same principle, close down Special Needs Schools cos they're costing too much, and bung these kids into the deep end in a State School, oh, but dont actually bother resourcing it properly, so if anything does go t*ts up, we can just blame the school.... <_< And now, Ruth fukkin' Kelly comes along and manages to get her kid out of it cos she has money... Well, good for her eh...? Sod you, I'm alright Jack.... :angry:

 

The facts are, for this whole idea to be properly resourced and funded, it would more than likely end up costing MORE to do than to actually have the Special Needs schools in the first place.... It's not a 'cheap' option, but that's how it's being used...

 

 

I know!!!

 

I taught a class last year with 40% special needs!!! 2 of whom would have previously have been in special school - with NO EXTRA funding given to the school.