Square Pegs: Inclusivity, compassion and fitting in – a guide for schools

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Our education system is failing our children and young people. It is a one size system that does not fit all (far from). Square Pegs is a compelling metaphor that cuts right to the heart of the emotional barriers preventing so many from attending school. It is also a great book which brings together a range of voices to provide an essential toolkit for anybody working with or living with square pegs. It contains practical advice, useful resources and, most importantly, a poignant insight into not fitting in. I am sure that this book will make the lives of lots of children, young people and their families easier. I also hope that it and the wider square peg movement will ultimately lead to a reform of education so that our system allows everybody to not only fit, but to thrive. This book should be an essential piece of reading for everyone who works with, or is interested in the lives of children who struggle to be included or are often overlooked. In the midst of a lot of noise and anger about a failing system, it focuses our attention on the humanity of children, their individual needs and how to support them to succeed. The short chapters mean it is a book that can be dipped in and out of regularly, looking at excellent legal and practical advice as well as inspirational stories of success. As a parent of two "square pegs" (both my children are autistic, amongst other needs), this book was a good read. Sometimes though, it was a bit over my head as it is aimed more at educators than at parent/carers. However, one of my "square pegs" has been so let down by the system that she is currently not in school. She was even let down by the special needs school we got her into after she crashed out of mainstream school. I just wish that educators would rethink how they approach children. I wish that politicians would stop trying to fix things by putting arbitrary targets into place. There needs to be a wholesale change in culture. Not every child's success is the same. We need to be able to help all children succeed, even if that means different ways for each child. The book is set out in five parts, covering insights into individual cases, legal issues, relationships, mental health and alternative options.

Although the author says that there is not one factor in his growth beyond being a challenging child with misbehaviors, the one thing that comes through over and over again is that his mother stood in the gap for her child and believed in him. The other beliefs about himself he discovered on his own. Overall, "Square Pegs" is a valuable resource for those working in schools. The book provides insightful and empowering perspectives on the experiences and challenges faced by individuals who do not fit ordinary school criteria. It is a thought-provoking read that challenges readers to reconsider their views on inclusivity, compassion, and fitting in. This book is a must-read for educators and school leaders seeking to create a better future for our students. This is an outstanding book in terms of content, awareness and relevance of the issues facing schools with increasing numbers of learners falling by the wayside. The authors enable the reader to reflect on real issues that arise and ways forward to promote potential. The book will be a major asset for teachers and lecturers at all levels to develop confidence, awareness, and personal safe practice to promote change. In particular, it serves as a reminder to all senior managers to change the mind set from re-shaping the square peg to broadening the round hole. So what makes this book different from all the others? The author shows his thought process about how he viewed the world and how the world viewed him. He made this a personal journey about all his troubles and what he did to fix them and arrive on top. He combined the idea of his personal struggles with how the world views trouble makers like him and what they try to do about it. He wanted to show the world that kids like him can come out on top, if they get the support they need. I participate in a Facebook group where the discussion centers largely around learning differences in students, and ideas for helping those students receive an education that works for them. The group was born when a friend of mine met a lot of resistance from both her child's teacher and the school/school district in trying to get her daughter help. She also met plenty of resistance from the educational system in trying to figure out why she was struggling in the first place.They need to know that you are always there for them, even in very hard times, otherwise they lose hope in themselves. Since establishing Independent Thinking 25 years ago, Ian Gilbert has made a name for himself across the world as a highly original writer, editor, speaker, practitioner and thinker, and is someone who the IB World magazine has referred to as one of the world's leading educational visionaries. The story of the Square Peg is a book every parent who has a troubled child should read. There are so many parents out there who have forgotten what it means to be a kid, especially being a kid in today's times. I'm not sure when it happens, but it seems that as soon as adults turn into parents, they lose all sense of reality and common sense. They like to believe that what they are doing is best for their kids, when sometimes it is not. This book explains the trouble the author had growing up because of all the trouble he got himself into. His impulsivity always made him look like a kid with no future and no chance of doing anything good with his life. Boy, did he prove them wrong. Budget cuts, the loss of support staff, an overly academic curriculum, problems in the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system and difficulties accessing mental health support have all compounded pre-existing problems with behaviour and attendance. The 'attendance = attainment' and zero-tolerance narrative is often at odds with the way schools want to work with their communities, and many school leaders don't know which approach to take.

To be generous to it, this scattergun approach does get you thinking and encourages you to form your own opinions. But while showcasing so many voices lends the book some weight, I can’t help but feel that it’s lost without a clear sense of where and how to apply it. A more coherent and aligned set of views would have allowed for a clearer and more impactful message. If all you want is facts and research results so you can find their flaws, read research journals, and leave this one alone. Fran Morgan founded Square Peg in 2019, following her own daughter’s struggles in the education system. She was joined by Ellie Costello in 2020, with experience as a parent of children with underlying needs. She now runs the organisation, as well as working with local authorities and health teams. Ian Gilbert has been an advocate of change in the education system for many years, alongside his Independent Thinking associates. One last thing, don't read this book hoping to copy everything the author did, read this book so you can understand what to look for in your child's environment that is hurting them and helping them so you know what you need to do. A must read for everyone invested in education, highlighting the real risk of how education can cause harm but more importantly, the real opportunity that education offers to heal and embrace the position it has of being a protective factor for so many children and young people.His story reads like some of the stories I've read in special needs forums online...some horrid teachers, some amazing teachers & mentors, and a very patient and perceptive (and long-suffering) mother. It is extremely well-written, and I particularly liked the chapter summaries and tips for parents. With all the buzz around it, it was evident that the premise of this book was resonating with teachers in a big way. The title and concept spoke deeply to me, and I was clearly not alone. Before it was even available to read, Square Pegs had allegedly already gone into its second print run. Anyway, being in this Facebook group has really opened my eyes to the struggles many of our students face in the classroom today. It's truly amazing how the system can fail so many of our children, and yet still be good-intentioned. It’s a must-read for everyone with a vision of an education system that can be ‘fixed’ through collaboration and brave actions. The other issue he mention in the book was using medication. His mom was concerned about it and he provided his thoughts on it as well. Of course, medication should never be used on a child, just because the parents don't have the patience for handling their child's unlimited flow of energy, doesn't make it ok to sedate them just because. There are plenty of books on how to cope with children who are hyperactive. I choose not to say ADHD because it is a label that is often abused and used on a child who shows the slightest sign of being hyper. Can you imagine if some of the greatest minds of our history were medicated as children, where we would be today? Exactly.....think about that for a minute.

This story made me so angry! And even though that was probably 20-30 years ago, things like this still happen quite commonly in our educational system.I particularly like the practical tips and advice to help those supporting children who find the schools experience challenging. It should also give educational policy makers and regulators much food for thought in their oversight of our educational system.

As a teacher, I can get defensive when faced with a critique of the profession and this book certainly doesn’t shy away from that. However, I made a conscious decision to leave my teacher hat at the door and to give the book a fair shot. One of the ways to reach struggling students is to use digital technology in the classroom. Currently I am teaching with digital media (Ipads in the classroom) and am rethinking and relearning a new way to teach my curriculum. I am trying to create a paperless classroom (the wave of the future) as well as being creative with lessons on the Ipads. I love it and I believe my students do too. I plan to teach the staff in my building some of the techniques I am trying digitally in my classroom. I love to be an innovator! Did I mention I have ADD?Budget cuts, the loss of support staff, an overly academic curriculum, problems in the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system and difficulties accessing mental health support have all compounded pre-existing problems with behaviour and attendance. The ‘attendance = attainment’ and zero-tolerance narrative is often at odds with the way schools want to work with their communities, and many school leaders don't know which approach to take. Square Peg is entertaining as well as informative. I appreciate the "Big Ideas" and "Action Items" at the end of each chapter. It is a nice way to summarize what points Rose believes are the most important from all the information and personal anecdotes he provides. Square Peg includes an epilogue with Rose's current research findings, chapter notes, and a bibliography.