Conservative Friends of Neurodiversity

There is still little clarity on what the Govt’s SEND reforms will mean for children. There are no clear explanations of who qualifies for which tier/package, what support will be provided, what outcomes are expected, or what funding will follow the child. We will keep pushing them & make sure that no child who currently has an EHCP has it withdrawn.

If academy trusts really will be the main driver of system led improvement, as the Schools white paper said, why does Labour’s Schools Bill scrap the academy order that lets them turn around failing schools? I had hoped Bridget Phillipson had seen the light.

Young people deserve better & today we set out a New Deal for Young People - Ending dead end degree courses - 100k more apprenticeships a year giving 18 year olds a proper choice - Up to £5k wage subsidies for businesses taking on apprentices - Overhauling Plan 2 student loans

We’ll be constructive on any SEND reforms, but I won’t tolerate any child with an EHCP losing that support. Many parents have fought too hard & sadly the Education Secretary failed to give them reassurance today.

People with Neurodiverse conditions have so much to offer Britain - read more from our own @george__holt in @ukonward below 👇🏻 ukonward.com/onward-corner/…

Britain isn’t short of talent - but it’s leaving a lot of it on the bench. Unlocking the 5% is about getting people with ADHD into work, not stuck on waiting lists. Read our latest @ukonward Corner column on ADHD 👇 ukonward.com/onward-corner/…

I have sacked Robert Jenrick from the Shadow Cabinet, removed the whip and suspended his party membership with immediate effect. I was presented with clear, irrefutable evidence that he was plotting in secret to defect in a way designed to be as damaging as possible to his Shadow Cabinet colleagues and the wider Conservative Party. The British public are tired of political psychodrama and so am I. They saw too much of it in the last government, they’re seeing too much of it in THIS government. I will not repeat those mistakes.

Workshop tonight on SEND with @CFofND and Shadow Minister Saqib Bhatti - how can we shift from managing weaknesses to unlocking strengths? Insights from personal experience, schools, teachers and others with speakers George Holt and Penny-Anne O'Donnell. More to come.

🧠 Last week was Dyslexia Awareness Week 💭 I have mild #dyslexia & my brother has very severe dyslexia, we know how difficult, frustrating, & upsetting it can be to live with & manage 💙 However, you are not alone & there is support out there: mimsdavies.org.uk/news/mims-davi…

Thanks to everyone who joined our event with @ConservativePF this evening 💙 Some really thoughtful and insightful commentary from CPF members and panellists @bhatti_saqib, @george__holt, and @pennyanneod. Thank you to @FrancesLasok for making this event possible!

Schools must put pupils first. It shouldn’t be optional or controversial. What else would they be for?

Neurodivergent pupils in particular need stability and consistency. Having teachers work from home would undermine that.

Some of the most important and impactful elements of a teacher’s role depend on being present, not just during scheduled lessons. Having a sense of how individual pupils are faring, impromptu conversations outside of the classroom, being part of the body of people, pupils and adults, who make a school what it is. Pastoral care. You can’t do that from home.

‘Why don’t you get round here Bridget on a Sunday night at six-o'clock and see how you manage.’ Former teacher Joanna Reeves criticises Bridget Phillipson's comments over parents disciplining their children.

Why are white, working class boys getting suspended from school more than their peers? I went on @GBNEWS this morning to discuss this complex issue with @toryboypierce and @miriam_cates #backtoschool #education

After very nearly five years as Association Chair for @ConservativeHSP I stood down from the Chair’s role last night. It has been an absolute honour to lead our fantastic Association and I am very grateful for the support I have received and the friends I have made along the way. I wish the new HSPCA leadership team the very best as they take the Association forward from here.

From @ReevesJoanna: We need to neutralise the '14 years' argument conservativehome.com/2025/07/08/joa…

This cat is an excellent life coach. @TheStourbridge