Stephen Simpson

EHCP Reform: Risking the Rights of Vulnerable Learners As speculation grows around Labour’s plans to reform, or potentially scrap, Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) this October, the sector must not underestimate the consequences of such a move.

open.substack.com/pub/forestsc... My latest rant

Supporting kids with Send is expensive. But the cost of not doing so is far greater | Carrie Grant Education, health and care plans have been invaluable for my children. Hints they could be scrapped fill me with fear, says TV presenter Carrie Grant

An excellent summary of why the #EHCP should not be scrapped. @CarrieGrant1 and her family share a very similar experience to my family and all the others that we support.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Why Forest Schooling UK Chose to Be a CIC and Why That Matters Non-profit is the way forward

open.substack.com/pub/forestsc...

The school special needs crisis that will impact every one of us Children and their families are being 'failed' by the education system.

Yup metro.co.uk/2025/08/01/s...

Make this stop 🙄

When Parents Demand: “Get Rid of That Child” There’s a quiet crisis growing in our schools and it’s not just about budgets, staff shortages or curriculum battles.

My latest on #substack

What are EHCPs and why is Labour bracing for a backlash over its overhaul plans? Special educational needs or disabilities system in England is in crisis but many fear changes could make things worse

It does need reform, however we NEED to protect those most vulnerable who simply cannot access an out of date curriculum that doesn't meet their needs - it doesn't matter how much "inclusion" happens - it's the curriculum that needs overhaul. www.theguardian.com/education/20...

The right to an education, health and care plan must be retained | Letters Letter: Jane Asher, Carrie Grant, Chris Packham, Anna Bird, Fazilet Hadi, Sally Phillips, Jon Sparkes and 100 others call on the government not to remove the right to an EHCP from children attending m...

www.theguardian.com/education/20...

Government faces battle over Send overhaul as campaigners voice fears MPs and parents worry shake-up may abolish vital education, health and care plans that SEN children rely on

www.theguardian.com/education/20...

Why Forest Schooling UK Exists And What Happened When We Met Ben There’s a quiet crisis in education that too many are still overlooking.

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NEW POST: Having #SEND needs missed in school can have life-altering, devastating consequences. In the first of 2 posts on the #SchoolToPrisonPipeline , Dr Neil Alexander Passe explains the importance of early intervention in schools www.specialneedsjungle.com/s... #SENDSky

Home | Forest Schooling UK

We have a lovely new website, with lots of new information www.forestschooling.co.uk

‘They are making young people ill’: is it time to scrap GCSEs? They have shaped the fortunes of young people in the UK for four decades. But now even the former education secretary who introduced these exams wants to see them abolished ...

www.theguardian.com/education/20...

Forest Schooling UK CIC 2024/25 Impact & Progress Report Forest Schooling UK (FSUK) is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company delivering nature-based education for children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health nee...

Have a look at what we've been up to over 24/25, we've had a busy and fun year.

NEW POST: The Government has responded after our Save SEND Legal Rights Petition passed the threshold—but it misses the point entirely. Rachel Filmer explains our reaction to the response and why we still need you to get it over the 100k finish line! www.specialneedsjungle.com/g...

Act now! Sign and Share the Parliamentary Petition to PROTECT SEND RIGHTS! - Special Needs Jungle Our petition to protect SEND rights has taken off but we need 100,000 signatures so it gets debated in parliament! Please SIGN and SHARE

50,000 signatures! Halfway to the 100k we need for a parliamentary debate! Have you added your name and shared with schools, colleagues, family and friends? Get Grandma to sign! Act now! Sign and Share the Parliamentary Petition to PROTECT SEND RIGHTS! www.specialneedsjungle.com/a...

Children with special needs in England may lose legal right to school support Exclusive: Schools minister declines to rule out replacing EHCP documents as part of plans to change Send system

This cannot happen. Legal rights to education must be protected for all.

New Job opportunities at Forest Schooling UK We are looking for people to join our growing team

New Job Opportunities. We are looking for: A Teacher, a Teaching Assistant & an Emotional & Social Support Assistant wix.to/WwzbTAR

New Job opportunities at Forest Schooling UK We are looking for people to join our growing team

New Job Opportunities. We are looking for: A Teacher, a Teaching Assistant & an Emotional & Social Support Assistant wix.to/WwzbTAR

We are looking for a unique Part-Time Teacher to join our team. Part-Time Teacher (3 Days per Week) Outdoor SEMH ProvisionLocation: Forest Schooling UK CIC, Kingston Upon ThamesSalary: FTE MPS = £40,322 Actual (3 days PW) = £24,193Hours: 3 days per week Contract T...

Teachers, come and work with us in our new provision, we are very nice! www.forestschooling.co.uk/post/we-are-...

RFK’s statements prove autistic people and their families everywhere should fear Trump and his allies | John Harris The idea that autism is some aberration that can be cured is typical of a movement that celebrates simplistic thinking and loathes human difference, says Guardian columnist John Harris

It’s all getting very silly (and scarier) www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Charities and councils warn of children’s social care ‘breaking point’ Organisations providing support for children said they are working in ‘progressively challenging circumstances’.

This is true.

Axing school Met police officers 'will leave pupils at risk from knife crime' Pupils say they are worried ‘more knives and drugs’ will be brought in as a result of the move

Well this sounds sensible… not www.standard.co.uk/news/london/...

The Guardian view on special needs education: inclusion must be about more than saving money | Editorial Editorial: The threat of council bankruptcies should focus minds on the need for a failing system to be reformed

"A system of grants that was meant to support councils to redesign services, and reduce spending, has mostly failed" www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

So errrm…wow!

My child may have ADHD — I am furious that anybody would think it is a 'scam' Anyone who thinks there’s anything mildly amusing about the reported rise in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses in the UK needs to have a word...

www.standard.co.uk/comment/chil...

Bridget Phillipson: parents must ‘think differently’ on Send support for children Education secretary says England’s special needs system has not delivered, as school leaders say it is on brink of collapse

Bridget Phillipson: parents must ‘think differently’ on Send support for children www.theguardian.com/education/20...

If no news, send rumours: Education Committee scolds DfE over “White Paper” while its SEND Inquiry hears from young people. - Special Needs Jungle If no news, send rumours: Education Committee scolds DfE over “White Paper” while its SEND Inquiry hears from young people.

www.specialneedsjungle.com/no-news-send...

"The traditional education system had failed me" We recently had the opportunity to meet with educators who share our views. Like us, they recognize the need for a more diverse and personalized approach to teaching in this country, tailored to each ...

"Their approach cuts through the alphabet soup of educational labels—SEMH, SEN, ASD, ADHD, and countless others—to focus on something more fundamental: each child's individuality."

www.forestschooling.co.uk/post/the-tra...