This week, expert guest, Anthony Benedict, discusses why some children are suspended/ excluded or permanently excluded from schools. He explains what these different types of exclusion mean and why it can happen, along with the different types of alternative provision some children may attend.
Anthony shares that he never particularly liked the UK system of education. His mum said, "If you don't agree with something, you need to get inside it and change it," and so, to some extent, that's what he has been trying to do ever since.
Anthony started his professional career as an English teacher and worked his way up to becoming a mainstream head. He’s always worked closely with the children who didn't quite fit, and who some liked to label as naughty, though he never saw them in that way.
For the last two years, Anthony has been the executive head teacher of a pupil referral unit in Tameside and has spent the last 18 months studying Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Trauma and Attachment.
Anthony recommends the book The Deepest Well by Dr Nadine Burke Harris.
You can find out more about his work at Trauma Informed Schools and on Twitter @tisuk
Anthony also shares four tips during the episode:
- Listen to what your child says and not what you want to hear.
- Remember to be the parent and not ‘a mate.’ You need to be able to set boundaries and rules.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help.
- Never, ever, ever give up.
The My Family Coach podcasts covers every aspect of children’s behaviour, all in handy 15 minute (ish) bite-sized chunks. Each episode features a new guest chatting about a different aspect of behaviour and leaves you with three handy tips to use at home.
