After years of no cohesive action and minimal support leading to the early death of her beautiful daughter, Jen Bridges-Chalkley, mother Sharren Bridges has been pioneering positive reform in the education system.
Her aim? To bring teachers closer to their students, reduce all round pressure and ensure that every student’s mental health needs are recognised and cared for.
Sam Wollaston’s comprehensive article in the Guardian shares her story and we don’t wish to step on the toes of that, however looking towards the future, to ensure that Jen’s passing was not in vain, Sharren has set up Jen’s Acorn. She’s on a mission to achieve two clear objectives: one: to support other parents and educators to create healthy environments and positive headspaces for SEN children, and two: to challenge and reform the current education system.
When anything is under consistent pressure for a protracted period of time it cracks. The education system in the UK is at a breaking point and the worst part of it all is that the people who suffer are the exact people that the education system is meant to serve – the children and older students.
We spoke to Sharren to hear first hand how she has articulated the issues surrounding the education system that she is presenting to MPs and educators across the country. The heartwarming aspect here is, that the more people Sharren has spoken to, the more agree that change needs to occur. Here’s what she had to say …
It feels as though the timing is right and we’re on the cusp of change. How would you sum up the big picture reform that is needed?
My big aim, for big picture reform is honestly to tear the current education system up, and start all over again. It doesn’t work. Reform in its truest sense has to be total to gain the biggest effect and it’s been so interesting speaking to teachers, parents, students and politicians over the past few months because not one person thinks that the current system is working. Mental health in children is at an all time low and people are blaming everything else apart from the school system that they’re in. Yes social media might contribute to anxiety, however 40 hours a week in an environment that’s meant to be positive but is actually toxic is having a terrible affect on so many. The system was reformed once years ago, so it’s really not too bizarre to think about reforming it to meet current demands now.
How is the current system toxic?
The system is formulaic and doesn’t work to cover everyone’s needs. Unmet needs lead to mental and physical discomfort. So many children don’t fit in with the current system of how information is being taught, it’s important to realise that they’re not stupid or naughty, even though that’s often what they get told, they just intake information and learn differently and there’s no where else for them to go.
What is the teacher’s role in the issue currently?
Teachers are over stretched. Every single teacher I’ve ever spoken to, cares deeply, however they’re being micromanaged from such a high level and don’t have the time or the ability to get to know students on a one-on-one level to be able to understand their needs. From the child’s point of view, if you pair this aspect with information being relayed to them in a way that they don’t comprehend, their mental health begins to suffer as their feelings of being misunderstood and alone compound. This can happen from year one.
It only gets worse when exams comes into the mix …
The current system of testing creates a vast amount of pressure because some people excel in exams and others excel in coursework – even having the ability to choose would be good, but students don’t have that choice. Children are brainwashed into thinking that they are nothing without good exam results – how horrendous is that? When their skillset may be far more practical than simply memorising something and regurgitating it under a timed situation. If you think about it, how is an examination skillset useful in everyday real life?
Not at all. It can show understanding of a topic but there are other more practical ways to demonstrate that. Having an option to choose, as you say, would make it so much fairer … It’s establishing relationships in the classroom that can be so positive and crucial to a child’s mental health that is essential. Feeling heard and respected makes a child more confident to speak out and develop in every way. Ignoring even the smallest issues with a child’s needs and their problems can grow to be large. Did you experience that with Jen?
Yes absolutely. Jen loved creative writing, but she was under so much pressure to have beautiful handwriting in 100% correct sentences that actually, the story that she wanted to write couldn’t come out because she was so worried about getting the sentences and handwriting right. The creative and expressive element of storytelling was lost. She was also left handed and would often be sat on the right hand side of a desk next to a right hander. So she’d complain of bumping arms and elbows all the time which would be so off-putting. Or she would get told off, ‘why can’t you just place the paper on the right hand side so she can write on the left hand side?’ It doesn’t work like that and there is no understanding so the genuine love for creative writing goes out of the window because writing is now associated with a stressful situation which she has had no help for.
A non-SEN student may not hyper-focus in on those moments, but for a SEN student with anxiety or high sensory awareness, these seemingly small aspects become massive distractions, a build up of which causes them to act out.
Yes, often the lighting can be too harsh or a clock ticking incredibly loudly, the edge of the paper cutting into their hands – it seems small but when it’s 40 hours a week and you’re under pressure to perform in those times, the stress compounds. And they’re children, they don’t know how to fully communicate yet, or how to manage their energy, so taking play-time away as a form of punishment only leads to deeper aggravation in the classroom because they’re not getting the crucial runaround time to burn off excess energy. Honestly the whole system and thinking behind it needs to be revamped to be inclusive. It’s possible, but people need to acknowledge that it needs to be done, and set change in motion.
When effecting positive change in a system that’s so large, knowing where to start can be crippling. What, in your opinion, should be on the priority list for change-makers looking to solve this problem moving forwards?
The key is creating a nurturing, flexible environment that sees children as whole individuals, not just academic performers.
Prioritise relationships between teachers and students.
- Build trusted relationships with children
- Create space for children to open up gradually
- Have two adults per classroom to provide more individual attention
Teachers to understand that behaviour is communication, not just ‘acting out’ - Recognise that disruptive behaviour often signals underlying emotional issues
- Take time to investigate why a child might be struggling
- Avoid punitive approaches like losing playtime
Implement flexible learning approaches
- Avoid punitive approaches like losing playtime
- Use interest-based learning that engages children
- Allow children to explore subjects through their passions
- Create smaller, more supportive learning environments
Focus on holistic development - Prioritise emotional well-being over strict academic performance
- Provide movement breaks and opportunities for play
- Recognise that children’s basic survival and emotional needs must be met before learning can occur
Reduce systemic pressure - Move away from exam-focused education
- Create learning environments that don’t cause stress and anxiety
- Allow children to learn at their natural pace
Provide individualised support - Offer smaller class sizes
- Have additional support for children with specific needs
- Create personalised learning paths that recognise individual strengths
If any of Sharren’s words resonate with you and you want to get involved with the conversation, please get in touch here.
