On Monday the Government released the SEND white paper, aiming to improve support for children with special educational needs. Key proposals include earlier identification, consistent mainstream support, and the introduction of Inclusion Support Plans. However, concerns about the practicality of these reforms and the overall educational culture persist, prompting further reflection on systemic changes.
Reforming for Belonging
Yesterday the Government published its SEND white paper, Every Child Achieving and Thriving.[i] As a parent of children with special educational needs, I have lived the exhaustion of fighting for provision. As a pastor shaped by what I call Broken Theology, I spend much of my time thinking about who is included and who is … Continue reading Reforming for Belonging
What Do We Truly Consider Intolerable?
There is something deeply unsettling about the pattern we keep witnessing.Within days of renewed public and political pressure around the Epstein papers, police move to arrest Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office.Yet testimony from women and girls alleging sexual abuse connected to Jeffrey Epstein has been in the public domain for years. … Continue reading What Do We Truly Consider Intolerable?
When Racism Is Shared, Silence Becomes Complicity
Recently, a video was shared on social media by Donald Trump that included a brief clip depicting Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as apes — a racist trope with deep, harmful roots. The post was met with widespread condemnation across the political spectrum, labelled racist and offensive, and was eventually deleted after hours of criticism … Continue reading When Racism Is Shared, Silence Becomes Complicity
Epiphany
Not a Thirteenth Day, but a Beginning The twelve days of Christmas do not end with answers. They end with a people gathered—marked by story, shaped by practice, learning how to live gently in a fractured world. Then comes Epiphany...
Twelve Drummers Drumming
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me twelve drummers drumming. The twelve drummers drumming have been linked both to the Twelve Tribes of Israel and to the Twelve Points of the Apostles’ Creed—two ways of speaking about a people held together by story, memory, and hope...
Eleven Pipers Piping
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me eleven pipers piping. The eleven pipers piping have traditionally been linked with the eleven remaining apostles—the witnesses who continued after betrayal, loss, and profound failure...
Ten Lords a-Leaping
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ten lords a-leaping. The ten lords a-leaping have traditionally been linked with the Ten Commandments...
Nine Ladies Dancing
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me nine ladies dancing. The nine ladies dancing have often been associated with the Fruit of the Spirit..
Eight Maids a-Milking
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me eight maids a-milking. The eight maids a-milking are said to represent the Eight Beatitudes, spoken by Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount...
The Broken Church 