Monthly Archives: May 2011

It’s like Wuthering Heights all over again. Our Cathy is dating her Edgar Linton whilst Heathcliffe is displaying all manner of inappropriate and challenging behaviour as he sees the target of his affection in the arms of another “man”. Both … Continue reading →

Kids are really up against it these days. A quick glance at the personal files of the children I work with, looks like the running order for a particularly bad Jeremy Kyle show. There are girls and boys who have been … Continue reading →

Overheard in a shop on the seafront in Scarborough this evening: Woman “Oh it’s really awful, my husband believes in God” and after a moment’s hesitation, “but it’s OK, it’s not really his fault!”

It’s 10pm Saturday night and the phone rings. It’s my Head Teacher. Will I do a twenty-minute presentation for staff meeting on Tuesday on “Why do kids want to be in your classroom?” Sleepless night now guaranteed whilst I try to get my head … Continue reading →

It’s exam time and our classrooms have been transformed into examination rooms. We’ve still gone for the calming feel: pretty images of verdant forests, languorous lagoons and sunny shores adorn the walls, there are messages of encouragement – “Do your … Continue reading →

Four dogs and each very different, not only in physical terms but also behaviourally. To sum each up in a single word: Summer – exuberant Pippa – aloof Henry – yampy* Harvey – persistent  The morning routine perfectly illustrates their … Continue reading →

Car boot sales seem to be bad for my health. I set off each Sunday with a skip in my step, a song in my heart and so laid back i am almost horizontal. Yet within half an hour my … Continue reading →

For a variety of reasons the land surrounding my house has never really been transformed into a garden. Until now. During the Easter holidays we decided to reclaim part of the rear jungle from the dogs and make it a … Continue reading →

Over three decades of working with children labelled as having “behavioural problems” I have come to realise one key truth – behaviour does not exist in isolation. There are precursors, antecedents, triggers and a whole gamut of factors involved in … Continue reading →

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