[senco-forum] 'SEN kids will contribute exactly what totheeconomy?'

I failed my 11+ and was in the remedial class all through my primary and secondary education. I was not dyslexic (they'd never heard ot the?term mind you) and was an excellent reader and writer. But I?was very poor at maths -- hence 'remedial'. 

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And I?misbehaved quite a lot, or?so it was thought -- I would describe myslef in todays parlance as mildly challenging. 

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It was an ultra-strict Cathoilc school so any misbehaviour was corporal punishment offence -- and I rebelled against being hit. I was consantly described as 'slow' and a 'late developer'. I learnt practically nothing but discipline at school -- but studied in my 30s and 'got ahead'.

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I?ended teaching with post graduate and psychology degrees (funding for which is now being abolished so it seems) and am considered quite clever most of the time. I think I've contributed to society.

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-----Original Message-----

From: Mary Kelly 

To: 'chris white' ; 'senco forum' 

Sent: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 18:24

Subject: RE: [senco-forum] 'SEN kids will contribute exactly what totheeconomy?' 

Did you know that entrepreneurs are twice as likely to be dyslexic as the  rest of the population? Except in the US, where the figure is  three-and-a-half times?  Mary K    -----Original Message-----  From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk  [mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of chris white  Sent: 14 January 2008 17:10  To: 'senco forum'  Subject: RE: [senco-forum] 'SEN kids will contribute exactly what  totheeconomy?'     My immediate thoughts on reading Brian's remarks were to think of Jamie  Oliver - he says he was in SEN groups at school and of Richard Branson--- to  name but 2 famous dyslexics.  They've both contributed their fair share to the economy !    I can think of quite a few personal acquaintances who were certainly NOT SEN  who haven't contributed their fair share!!    So--we've had the arguments for additional funding for SEN and the arguments  for G &  T. What about the run of the mill average kids, the ones who slog  their guts out day in day out, do their homework, turn up to school, never  cause any aggro...  shouldn't THEY be the ones who receive extra funding?  Shouldn't they be the ones to have subsidised places to go to Art Galleries,  museums, L.A., skiing? Aren't they the ones who could achieve more if given  smaller groups, individual teaching and additional support?    There's a flaw in my argument somewhere but I'm not quite sure where !!!  Chris    -----Original Message-----  From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk  [mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of Kate Barnes  Sent: 14 January 2008 16:41  To: 'senco forum'  Subject: [senco-forum] 'SEN kids will contribute exactly what to  theeconomy?'     This comment was probably made tongue in cheek (I hope) but its an  interesting thread....    Many kids with SEN grow up to be well adjusted hardworking adults who hold  down key jobs in our society, and will be contributing to the pensions of  many on this forum. You may not need English or Maths GCSE to be a hospital  porter or refuse collector but see what happens when these people go on  strike! Sadly the importance of these jobs is not reflected in the pay,  anymore than the importance of teacher's jobs....    Personally I dont measure someone's contribution to society merely in  financial terms, but the comment did use the words economy.  One can look at  the vast amount of caring in the community effectively  done by those who  were labelled SEN at school - this saves the government a fortune.    What other ways do people think those with SEN contribute to the economy?    Kate           

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