On the Fringes opens up the debate surrounding school exclusion and its link to special educational needs, and sets out action-oriented strategies designed to bring about a more inclusive approach.
The rate of exclusion of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is rocketing - even extending to very young children on the cusp of school life. In this book Jackie Ward examines this critical issue through the lens of her experiences in both mainstream education and a pupil referral unit (PRU) and offers practical guidance to ensure schools find solution-focused ways to provide for all of the children in their care.
Having seen first-hand the impact that exclusion has on children with often unmet medical needs (such as autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)), Jackie explores the realities of what exclusion means to each of us and discusses feasible strategies to help shape educational provision in line with a more inclusive agenda. In doing so she provides informed inspiration to teachers and SEND professionals working with some of our most vulnerable children, who - without our love and support - are too often destined for lives on the fringes of society.
About the Author :
Jackie Ward was a primary school teacher for over 25 years - and a deputy head and special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) at a primary pupil referral unit (PRU) for eight years - prior to taking early retirement and setting up her own business in 2016. She is now an independent behaviour and SEND consultant working in mainstream primary and secondary schools.
Review :
On the Fringes is a book into which you are drawn right from the outset, as it begins with a real-life, personal account of what inspired the author to write it. Packed with useful tips and advice, this solution-focused resource delves into why some groups are more vulnerable to exclusion than others, with a specific focus on those children and young people who have significant undiagnosed needs and complex mental health difficulties. Jackie paints a detailed picture of the alternative education provision offered in a PRU setting and describes the components of a caring, nurturing approach designed to develop pupils' self-esteem and self-confidence. She also emphasises the paramount importance of early intervention and its value in curtailing the progress of challenging behaviours, and discusses the need for staff to develop empathy and emotional resilience in order to best help vulnerable children and young people. To close the book, Jackie provides a ten-point manifesto on how the exclusion of children and young people can be prevented so that a better future is made possible for those who would otherwise be left on the fringes.
Cherryl Drabble, author and Assistant Head Teacher, Highfurlong School
aJackie Ward''s On the Fringes: Preventing Exclusion in schools through inclusive, child-centred, needs-based practice addresses the problem that too many vulnerable young people are being excluded, including those with special educational needs and much younger students.She writes about this using her own experiences of working in both mainstream and specialist schools, and gives practical advice and guidance to help deliver inclusive education to every child.She suggests there are other options based upon creative, thoughtful strategies which allow every child to feel they can succeed. Full of useful tips and advice, this is a valuable resource for any parent or educator.
Aliss Langridge a Educate Magazine
I could provide so many stories to support this very important book. Jackie Ward rightly reminds us that the children who need love the most will ask for it in the most unusual ways. As a consequence, schools need to seek unusual ways to teach such young people. I use those words deliberately: schools and teachers are paid to teach children, not to stand them in corridors, sit them in isolation booths or send them out on the streets. However, high-stakes testing a coupled with high-stakes accountability a has led to some schools using hostile, reactive strategies with those children who often have quite specific social and emotional needs. On the Fringes rightly suggests that there is another way a based around more creative and proactive child-friendly strategies that allow every child to feel that they can succeed.
Will Ryan, education consultant and former assistant head of school effectiveness and Excellence in Cities coordinator, Rotherham Borough Council
Jackie Ward was a primary school teacher for over 25 years and a deputy head and special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) at a primary pupil referral unit (PRU) for eight years prior to taking early retirement and setting up her own business in 2016. She is now an independent behavior and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) consultant working in mainstream primary and secondary schools. In aOn the Fringes: Preventing Exclusion in Schools Through Inclusive, Child-centered, Needs-based Practicea she draws upon her years of experience and expertise to scrutinize school exclusion procedures, and also reviews the SEND Code of Practice in depth, particularly highlighting the role of early interventions in detecting underlying SEN and medical needs. aOn the Fringesa also explores a range of pre-emptive and alternative approaches that can be employed as part of a whole-school approach to pastoral care and behavior management that develops pupils self-awareness and self-regulation. aOn the Fringesa is unreservedly recommended to the attention of classroom teachers, building principles, school superintendents, as well as school district and academic library Educational Administration collections and supplemental studies lists. Click here to read the review in the digital edition of the Midwest Book Review.
Midwest Book Review
There is currently increasing concern at the rise in pupil exclusions, both short-term and permanent, from schools at all levels a especially with regard to the exclusion of those children who are challenging in terms of their attitude, behaviour, additional learning and curriculum needs, and their impact upon the learning of others. In On the Fringes, Jackie Ward explores a range of situations to raise understanding of the various issues around exclusion and considers potential solutions geared to help prevent them. As the author notes, this book is both a personal account and a solution-focused resource which addresses the key factors surrounding why so many schools run with the agive up' strategy of exclusion when they fail to address the real needs of the children in their care. Readers will find the structure of the book very useful. Personally, I found the list of acronyms, the updated information provided on the legalities of exclusion, and the discussion of the role of CAMHS, of the impact of exclusion upon parents/carers, of addressing behaviour as an underlying need and of a range of alternative approaches a including PRUs, restorative justice and the Solihull approach a extremely beneficial. Overall, this book offers a well-written and solution-focused insight into the murky waters of exclusion and its impact on individuals and families. The author discusses many inspirational ideas to enable more vulnerable children and young people with challenging behaviours to engage more positively with learning to improve their access and inclusion within mainstream schools and society.
John Morris, Director, JTM Educational Consultants
This beautifully crafted book has a heart. A heart which is driven by the need to get the best available support and help for the most important people in our schools: the children and young people we teach. In On the Fringes, Jackie Ward creates an immersive environment for us to understand the common challenges and frustrations met by pupils, parents and teachers in the complex world of special educational needs (SEN). The thorough research which Jackie shares in the book helps illustrate the many underlying issues within our education system and culture, and this is to be highly commended. On the Fringes is for any teacher, parent or educationalist alike a you will not be able to put it down. It's a personal perspective as well as a professional reflection on what we need to do in order to ensure that every child in every school has their individual needs met to the best of our ability. Thank you, Jackie, for a thoroughly enjoyable learning journey.
Nina Jackson, author, award-winning speaker, mental health ambassador and education consultant, Teach Learn Create Ltd
