Tymes Trust Alert 2013-09
Message from Jane
05 November 2013

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Follow Jane on Twitter @JaneCColby
or read her tweets at www.tymestrust.org

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CHILDREN AND FAMILIES BILL
The Countess of Mar speaks on education

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LORDS COMMITTEE STAGE : DAY SIX

The Countess of Mar: 'My Lords, I shall speak to my amendments [...]

'I first became interested in virtual education in 2004, when the Young
ME Sufferers Trust, or Tymes Trust, developed an alliance with Nisai
Virtual Academy Ltd, also known as Nisai Learning. Together, they
developed an educational programme for young people who were too ill to
attend school or who could attend only intermittently and who, as a
result, were missing out on large chunks of their education. At a
function in the House last year the noble Lord, Lord Clement-Jones,
founder-patron of the Tymes Trust, said: "No wonder students with ME find
concentration so difficult. When a student makes an effort, oxygen levels
in the brain can fall instead of rising to cope with demand. Obviously,
it can be next to impossible to study effectively after struggling into
school."

'He finished by saying that, "students can be thought lazy, or just
awkward when they are doing their best. Often staff do not realise why
the student either can't get to school at all or can't concentrate on
their work when they get there".

[...]

'I quote a note from a former head teacher: "the purpose of education is
to educate to the best standard possible; an attendance register is not a
measure of achievement or success".'

After making many sound arguments for her amendments to clauses in the
bill, to include virtual and blended education, the Countess concludes:
'We are living in an age of high technology, and most, if not all, young
people whom we are discussing are computer literate. By including a
provision of online learning and blended learning, we would enable those
who could not attend school, for one reason or many, to benefit from an
excellent education at their own pace.'

You can read the Countess's full speech at Hansard online:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201314/ldhansrd/text/131028-gc0001.htm#13102835000310

ME BRIEFING - NOT NICE

A reminder that our latest booklet 'ME Briefing - not NICE' is online
here: http://www.tymestrust.org/pdfs/mebriefing2013notnice.pdf

Our Chair of Trustees writes: 'It is our view that certain hospitals and
paediatricians are misinterpreting the NICE Guideline by insisting on
school attendance.' He explains why, and in the booklet you will find
quotes from NICE to back up your case.

SELF-ADHESIVE CHRISTMAS STICKERS!

This year, Tymes Trust is again offering awareness-raising seasonal
stickers to dress up your cards and envelopes. We have Jolly Robins,
Snowman, and Santa. Just make a donation and let us know how many you'd
like.

With all my best wishes

Jane

Jane Colby FRSA
Executive Director
The Young ME Sufferers Trust
PO Box 4347, Stock, Essex, CM4 9TE
www.tymestrust.org
Tel: 0845 003 9002

Holder of The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service:
The MBE for Volunteer Groups

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Jane Colby is Executive Director of The Young ME Sufferers Trust.
She was a Headteacher for nine years, a member of the government
Chief Medical Officer's Working Group on CFS/ME and co-authored
ME/CFS In UK Schools, the largest epidemiological study of ME to
date. She is a life member of the National Association of Head Teachers
and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Copyright (c) 2013 The Young ME Sufferers Trust