John Cosgrove
@johncosgrove.bsky.social
Husband, father, grandfather, writer and retired teacher.
I blog at https://johncosgrove55.wordpress.com/
Visit my Amazon Author page here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B001KDLZQE
I blog at https://johncosgrove55.wordpress.com/
Visit my Amazon Author page here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B001KDLZQE
Reposted by John Cosgrove
I don’t like to say ‘I told them so,’ but I will, because it might help stop it all happening all over again. #CovidInquiry
The classroom, the assembly hall … and the sky
Margaret McMillan pioneered the concept of open-air education at the turn of the 19th century - perhaps we should heed her advice now?
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 7:24 PM
I don’t like to say ‘I told them so,’ but I will, because it might help stop it all happening all over again. #CovidInquiry
Reposted by John Cosgrove
A whole nation betrayed for a second time by its feckless ‘oven ready Brexit’ government. And still, no individuals have ever taken sufficient responsibility for any of this. #CovidInquiry #FBPE @bylinetimes.bsky.social @yorkshirebylines.co.uk @bylinesnetwork.co.uk
The Show Must Not Go On: Downing Street Parties and a Tragic Anniversary
By sharing the story of her brother on social media, Dr Pam Jarvis discovered how many others were suffering while Number 10 partied on #18thDecember last year. She has a plan to make sure that this i...
bylinetimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:20 PM
A whole nation betrayed for a second time by its feckless ‘oven ready Brexit’ government. And still, no individuals have ever taken sufficient responsibility for any of this. #CovidInquiry #FBPE @bylinetimes.bsky.social @yorkshirebylines.co.uk @bylinesnetwork.co.uk
So, I posted about this before, but now I would like to know which cabinet member approved spending £6m to place children in danger, and who sits on the committee that nodded it through? £6m is not an officer's decision.
www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwal...
www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwal...
Council advertised a £6m contract to staff illegal children's homes
'The findings are an upsetting reminder of the pressures facing children’s social care - but it is also deeply disappointing to see the normalisation of illegal, unregistered placements. Unregistered ...
www.cornwalllive.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:16 AM
So, I posted about this before, but now I would like to know which cabinet member approved spending £6m to place children in danger, and who sits on the committee that nodded it through? £6m is not an officer's decision.
www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwal...
www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwal...
Reposted by John Cosgrove
Not in my name, Starmer.
It's hard to find words to capture quite how revolting, steeped in bigotry, irresponsible, morally unmoored, Labour has become. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Anglican bishop shaken ‘to the core’ by home secretary’s asylum seeker comments
Bishop of Edmonton says people coming to UK are being ‘scapegoated’ for years of policy failures
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Not in my name, Starmer.
Reposted by John Cosgrove
Labour’s “we have to do it, or racism will get worse” argument is striking. Any other public policy failures British ethnic minorities should be on the hook for? Can we be blamed en bloc for Rachel Reeves’ budget next week too? www.ft.com/content/37b0...
Defence of Labour asylum policy reveals backsliding on racism
Home secretary’s framing of failures is partly low politics, but also a result of ministers’ poor approach to race relations
www.ft.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Labour’s “we have to do it, or racism will get worse” argument is striking. Any other public policy failures British ethnic minorities should be on the hook for? Can we be blamed en bloc for Rachel Reeves’ budget next week too? www.ft.com/content/37b0...
Heavens to Betsy, who could possibly have imagined that people who campaigned to be local councillors on the slogan "Stop the boats," might not know what they're doing? www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
When reality bites: the rapid rise and chaotic fall of Reform UK in Cornwall
Resignations, suspensions and infighting lead to party losing crown of highest number of seats in the county
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Heavens to Betsy, who could possibly have imagined that people who campaigned to be local councillors on the slogan "Stop the boats," might not know what they're doing? www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by John Cosgrove
On Tuesday, Keir Starmer said he was concerned that racism was returning to British politics.
This morning, his Home Secretary is loudly letting the world know that the government intends to make the lives worse of even those found to be genuine refugees.
This morning, his Home Secretary is loudly letting the world know that the government intends to make the lives worse of even those found to be genuine refugees.
November 15, 2025 at 9:05 AM
On Tuesday, Keir Starmer said he was concerned that racism was returning to British politics.
This morning, his Home Secretary is loudly letting the world know that the government intends to make the lives worse of even those found to be genuine refugees.
This morning, his Home Secretary is loudly letting the world know that the government intends to make the lives worse of even those found to be genuine refugees.
Reposted by John Cosgrove
Dunno whether I’m more shocked by Cornwall involvement, or horrified and ashamed by the sheer scale of all this in the write up.
We are truly lost
We are truly lost
November 13, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Dunno whether I’m more shocked by Cornwall involvement, or horrified and ashamed by the sheer scale of all this in the write up.
We are truly lost
We are truly lost
Reposted by John Cosgrove
"The pressures have been such that the wonder is not that some schools have tried to squeeze out pupils with SEND, but that so many have continued with courage and tenacity to do their very best for all." Interesting blog post here from John Cosgrove.
Why are "Some schools in England taking up to six times more special needs pupils than others"? And what can be done about it?
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/s...
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/s...
SEND Reform: It’s not (just) about the money…
Another day, another article about how the cost of provision for pupils with special needs (SEND) is bankrupting the country. This morning (Friday 31st October 2025) I read in the Guardian about a …
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:27 PM
"The pressures have been such that the wonder is not that some schools have tried to squeeze out pupils with SEND, but that so many have continued with courage and tenacity to do their very best for all." Interesting blog post here from John Cosgrove.
This morning's Guardian report is about something that's been happening, and accelerating, for over a decade. Why "Some schools in England [are] taking up to six times more SEND pupils than others" is explained in my blog post: link in next post.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Some schools in England taking up to six times more special needs pupils than others
Findings come as government prepares white paper to urgently overhaul provision and funding
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:38 PM
This morning's Guardian report is about something that's been happening, and accelerating, for over a decade. Why "Some schools in England [are] taking up to six times more SEND pupils than others" is explained in my blog post: link in next post.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reposted by John Cosgrove
SEND REFORM: IT'S NOT (JUST) ABOUT THE MONEY.
"No amount of funding can “put things right” because a rotten system can never be “right”... [It's] a “uniquely bad system … which guarantees conflict” [and] is also ruinously expensive."
BLOG POST
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/s...
"No amount of funding can “put things right” because a rotten system can never be “right”... [It's] a “uniquely bad system … which guarantees conflict” [and] is also ruinously expensive."
BLOG POST
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/s...
SEND Reform: It’s not (just) about the money…
Another day, another article about how the cost of provision for pupils with special needs (SEND) is bankrupting the country. This morning (Friday 31st October 2025) I read in the Guardian about a …
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:51 PM
SEND REFORM: IT'S NOT (JUST) ABOUT THE MONEY.
"No amount of funding can “put things right” because a rotten system can never be “right”... [It's] a “uniquely bad system … which guarantees conflict” [and] is also ruinously expensive."
BLOG POST
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/s...
"No amount of funding can “put things right” because a rotten system can never be “right”... [It's] a “uniquely bad system … which guarantees conflict” [and] is also ruinously expensive."
BLOG POST
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/s...
SEND CRISIS: IT'S NOT (JUST) ABOUT THE MONEY...
Today, The Times points to concerns over the Abu Dhabi Sovereign Wealth Fund running special schools in the UK for profit. Another reminder that our SEND system is rotten and ruinously expensive.
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/s...
Today, The Times points to concerns over the Abu Dhabi Sovereign Wealth Fund running special schools in the UK for profit. Another reminder that our SEND system is rotten and ruinously expensive.
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/s...
SEND Reform: It’s not (just) about the money…
Another day, another article about how the cost of provision for pupils with special needs (SEND) is bankrupting the country. This morning (Friday 31st October 2025) I read in the Guardian about a …
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:10 AM
SEND CRISIS: IT'S NOT (JUST) ABOUT THE MONEY...
Today, The Times points to concerns over the Abu Dhabi Sovereign Wealth Fund running special schools in the UK for profit. Another reminder that our SEND system is rotten and ruinously expensive.
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/s...
Today, The Times points to concerns over the Abu Dhabi Sovereign Wealth Fund running special schools in the UK for profit. Another reminder that our SEND system is rotten and ruinously expensive.
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/s...
SEND REFORM: IT'S NOT (JUST) ABOUT THE MONEY.
"No amount of funding can “put things right” because a rotten system can never be “right”... [It's] a “uniquely bad system … which guarantees conflict” [and] is also ruinously expensive."
BLOG POST
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/s...
"No amount of funding can “put things right” because a rotten system can never be “right”... [It's] a “uniquely bad system … which guarantees conflict” [and] is also ruinously expensive."
BLOG POST
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/s...
SEND Reform: It’s not (just) about the money…
Another day, another article about how the cost of provision for pupils with special needs (SEND) is bankrupting the country. This morning (Friday 31st October 2025) I read in the Guardian about a …
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:51 PM
SEND REFORM: IT'S NOT (JUST) ABOUT THE MONEY.
"No amount of funding can “put things right” because a rotten system can never be “right”... [It's] a “uniquely bad system … which guarantees conflict” [and] is also ruinously expensive."
BLOG POST
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/s...
"No amount of funding can “put things right” because a rotten system can never be “right”... [It's] a “uniquely bad system … which guarantees conflict” [and] is also ruinously expensive."
BLOG POST
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/s...
With Mrs C away (and swanned off with the car) I am heading to my hospital appointment by bus. It takes forever - but it's free for old folk like me, I am in no rush and the front seat at the top was available!
November 7, 2025 at 12:57 PM
With Mrs C away (and swanned off with the car) I am heading to my hospital appointment by bus. It takes forever - but it's free for old folk like me, I am in no rush and the front seat at the top was available!
Another interesting article from Dr Pam. Well worth a read.
Richard of York: coming home?
Richard of York’s remains were discovered, then retained in the area where he fell. But should he come home to Yorkshire?
By Dr Pam Jarvis
@yorkshirebylines.co.uk
@drpam.bsky.social
Richard of York’s remains were discovered, then retained in the area where he fell. But should he come home to Yorkshire?
By Dr Pam Jarvis
@yorkshirebylines.co.uk
@drpam.bsky.social
Richard of York: coming home?
Richard of York’s remains were discovered, then retained in the area where he fell. But should he come home to Yorkshire?
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Another interesting article from Dr Pam. Well worth a read.
Reposted by John Cosgrove
Well that’s an interesting possible campaign slogan ….
November 7, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Well that’s an interesting possible campaign slogan ….
Reposted by John Cosgrove
Reading the curriculum and assessment review. Very interesting, and will offer longer thoughts when through. But reflecting on lack of mention, at least at the start, for the copious concerning evidence we have on pupil wellbeing/engagement,+lack of a parent or pupil representation on review panel.
November 5, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Reading the curriculum and assessment review. Very interesting, and will offer longer thoughts when through. But reflecting on lack of mention, at least at the start, for the copious concerning evidence we have on pupil wellbeing/engagement,+lack of a parent or pupil representation on review panel.
Reposted by John Cosgrove
And on the proposals for mathematics...
November 5, 2025 at 8:45 AM
And on the proposals for mathematics...
I would love to welcome the new commitment to enrichment. Our schools, our curriculum, our children need enrichment BUT...
ALWAYS WITH THE JUDGING!
More and more new ways to fail create nothing but resentment, stress and low morale. They improve nothing.
ALWAYS WITH THE JUDGING!
More and more new ways to fail create nothing but resentment, stress and low morale. They improve nothing.
November 5, 2025 at 8:13 AM
I would love to welcome the new commitment to enrichment. Our schools, our curriculum, our children need enrichment BUT...
ALWAYS WITH THE JUDGING!
More and more new ways to fail create nothing but resentment, stress and low morale. They improve nothing.
ALWAYS WITH THE JUDGING!
More and more new ways to fail create nothing but resentment, stress and low morale. They improve nothing.
I enjoyed this. Thank you @drpam.bsky.social
Climate change – the world after tomorrow
Records of chaos following historical climate change offer a warning to contemporary global society
By Dr Pam Jarvis
Records of chaos following historical climate change offer a warning to contemporary global society
By Dr Pam Jarvis
Climate change – the world after tomorrow
Records of chaos following historical climate change offer a warning to contemporary global society
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 6:33 PM
I enjoyed this. Thank you @drpam.bsky.social
Reposted by John Cosgrove
@johncosgrove.bsky.social manages to press many buttons in this very detailed and evidenced blog. Like John, I'm not sure that @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social has a strong grasp of the realities of inclusion. "Culture change" needs a mindset change; it's a principle, not just a word.
NEW BLOG POST: SEND Reform - It's not (just) about the money...
There is no amount of funding which can “put things right” because a rotten system can never be “right”.
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/s...
There is no amount of funding which can “put things right” because a rotten system can never be “right”.
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/s...
SEND Reform: It’s not (just) about the money…
Another day, another article about how the cost of provision for pupils with special needs (SEND) is bankrupting the country. This morning (Friday 31st October 2025) I read in the Guardian about a …
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:31 AM
@johncosgrove.bsky.social manages to press many buttons in this very detailed and evidenced blog. Like John, I'm not sure that @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social has a strong grasp of the realities of inclusion. "Culture change" needs a mindset change; it's a principle, not just a word.
NEW BLOG POST: SEND Reform - It's not (just) about the money...
There is no amount of funding which can “put things right” because a rotten system can never be “right”.
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/s...
There is no amount of funding which can “put things right” because a rotten system can never be “right”.
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/s...
SEND Reform: It’s not (just) about the money…
Another day, another article about how the cost of provision for pupils with special needs (SEND) is bankrupting the country. This morning (Friday 31st October 2025) I read in the Guardian about a …
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com
November 2, 2025 at 8:28 PM
NEW BLOG POST: SEND Reform - It's not (just) about the money...
There is no amount of funding which can “put things right” because a rotten system can never be “right”.
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/s...
There is no amount of funding which can “put things right” because a rotten system can never be “right”.
johncosgrove55.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/s...
Reposted by John Cosgrove
3 things Starmer could do instead of camps in old barracks that would actually WORK👇
1. Create safe, regulated routes to apply for asylum in the UK
2. Let asylum seekers WORK & support themselves
3. Fast track status for people from obviously unsafe countries
metro.co.uk/2025/10/29/k...
1. Create safe, regulated routes to apply for asylum in the UK
2. Let asylum seekers WORK & support themselves
3. Fast track status for people from obviously unsafe countries
metro.co.uk/2025/10/29/k...
Keir Starmer tries to look tough - and exposes himself as a coward
The government's immigration policy is in desperate need of a bold change in direction.
metro.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 8:13 AM
3 things Starmer could do instead of camps in old barracks that would actually WORK👇
1. Create safe, regulated routes to apply for asylum in the UK
2. Let asylum seekers WORK & support themselves
3. Fast track status for people from obviously unsafe countries
metro.co.uk/2025/10/29/k...
1. Create safe, regulated routes to apply for asylum in the UK
2. Let asylum seekers WORK & support themselves
3. Fast track status for people from obviously unsafe countries
metro.co.uk/2025/10/29/k...