Tim Linehan

Dad of two. Inclusive schools advocate. Devout sceptic. All views my own.

[Tim Linehan @timlinehan]

My latest blog for the LSE blog site about how talking up truancy is just another way of punishing neurodivergent children. https://t.co/dqPUVsgl1P @AFNCCF @sweale

[Tim Linehan @timlinehan]

Fantastic to see #barrierstoeducation launched. I was lucky enough to be involved in its early stages and was blown over by the expertise, skills and insights of those involved. Please share with anyone interested in inclusive education. https://t.co/0STUTTsiUk @SpectrumGaming

[Tim Linehan @timlinehan]

A child risks losing an education every time a relationship between school and parent breaks down. I've not posted in a long while, but here's my piece in @SchoolsWeek about govt double standards on absenteeism. https://t.co/SOuXiZyu3T

[Tim Linehan @timlinehan]

@Freedland I'm sure you are aware of Diary of a Man in despair by Friedrich Reck-Malleczewen - his was a very different kind of rebellion to Nazism. A member of of the conservative Prussian nobility he railed against their desecration before dying in dachau. And what a writer.

[Tim Linehan @timlinehan]

@RealGeoffBarton @IPPR @CarrieGrant1 Geoff, can you follow me so that I can DM you about ed inclusion? I've done a lit review, research in Hackney, am launching a project for parents of children who struggle at school, I've worked at Anna Freud, former PCF vice chair and am an expert by experience. Wd love to mssg.

[Tim Linehan @timlinehan]

I've had enough of billionaire owners using their platforms to promote their far-right, anti-democratic, hate conspiracies. I've learned a lot from good people. But I've had enough. Leaving is overdue. Thank you for your company. I'm at @timlinehan.bsky.social. Do keep in touch.

[Tim Linehan @timlinehan]

@JohnBaldLangLit @AFNCCF @sweale I don't think anyone should behave as they choose, diagnosed or not, if their choice is dangerous or harmful but I think that the ed system sets up arbitrary rules with punishments that don't work for some children who are learning to moderate or need help with their behaviour

[Tim Linehan @timlinehan]

My latest blog for the LSE blog site about how talking up truancy is just another way of punishing neurodivergent children. https://t.co/dqPUVsgl1P @AFNCCF @sweale

[Tim Linehan @timlinehan]

@JohnBaldLangLit @AFNCCF @sweale They may be a convenient get out if they result in bad schools off rolling children or finding alternatives, but they should be a help by identifying clearly defined needs under NHS or DSM-5 definitions. Diagnoses have their values.

[Tim Linehan @timlinehan]

@sarah277283 I think there are a lot of people with a similar experience - they don't choose home education, but they once they embark on it, they don't regret it. Well done you!

[Tim Linehan @timlinehan]

Home education is up 20% from 92k to 111k in the last 12 months according to govt data published today. More children leaving education. More exclusions. More severely absent children. We need to rethink education. https://t.co/ntkMcAT3dk

[Tim Linehan @timlinehan]

@sarah277283 yes, the number is much higher. These are just LA figures. There's no legal requirement to register at school in England, just a responsibility for parents to educate. @EduPolicyInst estimate another 300,000 missing from eduacation
.

[Tim Linehan @timlinehan]

@CarahNorth @Ames20024 sadly it happens a lot

[Tim Linehan @timlinehan]

@JohnBaldLangLit Except that absenteeism is getting significantly worse. More children are being 'excluded' from mainstream education. There's a narrowing of educational opportunity.

[Tim Linehan @timlinehan]

@JohnBaldLangLit What you mean by 'assertions' and 'assumptions'. ADHD & autism are the most reported conditions associated with school-based anxiety. Others contribute. Plenty of evidence. Are you questioning the idea of neurodivergence, or the existence of ADHD, autism and other conditions?

[Tim Linehan @timlinehan]

@katief1978 @kimturner70 Do let me know if you find anything!

[Tim Linehan @timlinehan]

@JohnBaldLangLit @AFNCCF @sweale We know a lot of children missing school are diagnosed neurodivergent. We know those with autism and ADHD are more likely to have anxiety, so it's not an assumption, I'm gathering together data which helps us understand the why. I can share refs.

[Tim Linehan @timlinehan]

@martinimarie Yes, but also this is just the tip of the iceberg. It's just those who are registered as home educated (nothing wrong with home education - just for many it's not a choice)

[Tim Linehan @timlinehan]

@katief1978 @kimturner70 Yes, I was looking at this data this evening myself. I agree that there are a lot more unknowns and they can often be wrapped up into an education approach to fails to recognise individual needs.

[Tim Linehan @timlinehan]

@norwich_ch53723 Thank you. I think the beewell work is fantastic. I'll look out for that.

[Tim Linehan @timlinehan]

@JohnBaldLangLit Not necessarily, but the overlap of, for example, SEND and poverty strongly point to our education system not meeting needs. Most HE is not out of choice. We know about exclusion, we know that severe absence is connected to SEND and unmet need.

[Tim Linehan @timlinehan]

@Ames20024 I'm so sorry to hear about your son's struggles. I hope he's doing OK now.❤️