23/07/2026
I am very pleased I went to the SEND meeting held by Welsh MP yesterday.
There were many emotionally draining stories from families who have been terribly let down by the current education system. Many of which echo stories experienced by some WN families.
Michelle listened compassionately and promised to do everything in her power to support on an individual level, a county level and a broader national level.
She asked me to share with you all that, if you're in Sherwood constituency and have a SEND issue, you can contact her and she, and her team, will support. Likewise, she is going to speak with MPs from other Notts constituencies to encourage them to also be receptive to offering support.
This support can make a huge difference, so if you're struggling to get the right provision for your child, or feel your child's school is not meeting needs, do reach out to your MP. They are employed to work for you.
Michelle has SEND experience having worked in an Alternative Provision several years ago. She gets it, she really does. I am confident she spoke from the heart and it was not just lip service.
She is also going to set up a forum for parents/carers to speak with Notts CC staff to ensure your voice is being heard.
On a national level, she is going to collaborate with other local MPs and take constituents' experiences and opinions to the new Secretary of State.
If you have a story to share about your family's SEND journey, do email your MP.
I asked her about the likelihood of the new Education Secretary, Lucy Powell, recognising that the direction of change created by Bridget Phillipson is harmful and needs rethinking. Her response was positive. She said that Lucy Powell will want to forge her own path and that she and Andy Burnham do recognise there are many flaws currently.
She said that now is the time to lobby MPs and be explicit about what changes need to happen.
Michelle is also going to arrange a visit to Woodland Nurture in autumn to see what inclusive, child-centred education can look like!
I came away feeling really hopeful for the future.
Let's do more than just hope. Let's lobby our MPs and get our voices heard.💪💪💪💪
🏃♀️💭I'm off to dream about a brand new, play based, child-centred curriculum with a high emphasis on outdoor learning...🌲🌳🌲🌳🌲🌳🌲🌳
