Ascend Together CIC

19/11/2023

Empowering teachers and parents with the resources they need to nurture resilient and thriving young minds. Our downloadable printables are designed to reduce stress, boost confidence, and promote flourishing in children. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, and with our resources, you can provide them with the support they need to succeed.

Partnering with teachers and parents to build a world where all children are resilient, thriving, and flourishing, Ascend Together is committed to creating a brighter future for our young people. We understand that thriving teachers are the cornerstone of effective education, and that's why we focus on cultivating their well-being. Because when a teacher is thriving, they’re teaching better – and that means they're lighting up the lives of young people.

In addition to our dedication to thriving teachers, we emphasise the importance of positive parenting. Other than peers and teachers, parents are the primary source and epicentre of a young person's development. By promoting positive parenting, we aim to create a supportive and nurturing environment that fosters growth and well-being in children.

Let's help young people, and each other, ascend together beyond adversities.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/WeAscendTogether

10/11/2023

Worksheets to boost confidence in teenagers. Purchase once, download and print many times.

https://etsy.com/uk/listing/1476357468/grow-confidence-for-teenagers-printable

classr

27/10/2023

Here's a PG conversation I had with the fabulous Kate on her podcast 'Refreshing Leadership' about some of my thoughts on anger, positive education, autism, and why I used to think that certain people shouldn't be allowed to become teachers.

If you can listen pass my Essex accent, let me know if you think the tone of my voice sounds quite harsh? 🙉

I think I sound angry. Perhaps that's why some people are scared of me. 🤔

(Note to self - get elocution lessons).

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2144758/13827109

27/03/2023

As World Autism Awareness and Acceptance Week (Monday 27th - 2nd April), and Autism Awareness Month in April, I'm offering a 20% discount on all autism assessments. Currently, adult assessments are £1500 and assessments for children are £1995.

With the discount, the fee for an adult assessment will be £1200, and for children, £1596.

You can take advantage of this discount by booking an autism assessment at any time throughout the year—but you'll need to book and pay a deposit between now and April 30th, to receive the discount!

Also, in case you didn't know, I provide the autism pre-screening questionnaires; The Autism Spectrum Quotient (for adults) and the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (for parents and teachers of 6 - 17-year-olds). The purpose of the questionnaires is to help you determine if you (or a child) are experiencing some of the common behaviours and traits associated with being autistic. Take note – the pre-screening questionnaires do not provide a diagnosis but contribute to the assessment data and final report. If you would like to complete an autism pre-screening questionnaire, DM me and I will send it to you.

Meanwhile, click the link below for more details about the autism assessment. And be sure to use this discount code AUTISMAWARENESS2023 when you request to book an assessment.
https://www.tanyaheasley.co.uk/autism-assessment

22/03/2023

In recent years, physical assaults, threats, and verbal abuse (all violent behaviour) in schools have become serious issues around the world. Moreover, the repeated use of violence against children by teachers may lead to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

A child is likely to experience an ACE if he or she has experienced a stressful event during childhood (such as neglect, abuse or witnessing domestic violence). Many of these incidences occur within the home. However, a school setting in which anger is present increases the probability of ACEs occurring.

As a consequence of ACEs, the function of cognitive development may be impaired, and chronic illnesses, mental health conditions, and substance abuse may develop in adulthood. Furthermore, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC: 2019), at least five of the top ten leading causes of death are related to ACEs.

A child with an ACE who received no support during their formative years' risks becoming a 'broken adult'.

It's easier to build strong children than to repair broken adults.

Early intervention is fundamental to developing our young people in becoming healthy functioning adults.

If you'd like to get involved in supporting us on our mission to strengthen the lives of young people affected by adult anger, please get in touch to receive details on how you can become part of our journey in helping young people flourish and thrive in life.

Let's help them ascend beyond adversity together.

14/12/2022

It's truly rewarding, to transform the lives of young people affected by adult anger.

Today, our Christmas work brunch consisted of eating, celebrating, and strategically planning our mission for 2023; to help young people believe that their voice matters and that their feelings count.

Empowering young people to flourish and thrive after adversity is our main focus.

We're so excited and can't wait to deliver our new 'ABC to a greater me' programme in schools, and help young people develop assertive communication, increase executive function, and cultivate healthy confidence.

What's your mission for 2023?

Meanwhile, Mark and I hope you all have stress-free and enjoyable Christmas.

.

26/11/2022

This is so true on so many levels. Public humiliation does not empower children to regulate their behaviour - it simply causes them to behave in more adverse ways.

“If Your Behaviour Doesn’t Improve...” Parents often tell me about the behaviour systems used in their children's classrooms. Children's names are moved from the sun to the clouds, or from green zone to red zone. Here's why I think this should stop.

These strategies are based on the idea that we can change children's behaviour by making them feel bad when they do something wrong. So if there's a child who can't sit still, put them in the clouds and they'll soon learn to stay in their place.

If a child gets angry or upset, move them from the green zone to the red zone and they'll soon learn to behave, goes the reasoning. They'll want to get back to green. Everyone can see, because the charts are up on the wall.

This all assumes that the reason for their behaviour is that they just aren't trying hard enough, and that we can make them try harder by putting their name up there for all to see. It assumes that the child has control over their behaviour.

In fact, within any classroom there will be a very wide range of maturity and ability to control their behaviour. There will also be a wide range of experience - for some children, the non-academic (and academic) requirements of school are much harder than for others.

What happens with these public charts is that the ones who find school easier get rewarded, visibly so. The ones who find it harder are humiliated, and it's often the same few kids who are always in this boat. The children will quickly learn who they are.

Those who find the classroom harder. Those who are developmentally in a different place to their peers. Those who find it hard to concentrate and to control their emotions - those are the ones who get put on the rain clouds day after day.

These charts put the onus to change on the children who already find things hardest. It tells them, again and again, that they are a problem and they aren't trying hard enough. It ignores context and why a child might be behaving like this. Instead they are shamed.

If these charts worked, they would only be around for a few short weeks. All the children would 'get it' & there would be no reason to move anyone onto the clouds again. If a child is being put on the clouds repeatedly, then it's not working.

Not just not working, but probably causing damage. Using public humiliation to control behaviour has side effects. It causes anxiety, even for those who never move from the sun (because they might do one day) and it causes some children to be marked out as the 'bad' ones.

These experiences stay with some children for the rest of their lives. They think of themselves as 'bad' or 'not trying hard enough' or 'lazy'. Some of them will become more anxious& will start struggling to attend school. Others will hold it all in and then explode at home.

Would you like it if your name was moved to the clouds for your friends to see to see each time you got annoyed or forgot to empty the cat litter tray? Would it help you behave or would you feel resentful and angry? If it wouldn't work for you, why are we doing it to our kids?

https://naomicfisher.substack.com/

Words: Dr Naomi Fisher
Illustration: Missing The Mark

30/06/2022

A thought provoking article on rethinking what matters in education.

https://www.meaning.ca/article/rethinking-what-matters-in-education/?mc_cid=6c53163785&mc_eid=5c68b59af6

A few years ago I attended a formal dinner where the majority of guests were young post-graduates who had just begun their formal training to become school teachers. I was seated at a table made up of experienced education professionals, most of whom were headteachers. During the dinner I spoke to m...

29/03/2022

If I knew then what I know now, I would have embraced my neurodiversity a lot sooner and thrived in life a lot earlier.

I am one of thousands of women misdiagnosed with mental illnesses, when in fact, I'm a woman with autism.

Knowing I'm autistic has liberated me from thoughts such as 'what's wrong with me', to 'I can use my autism to improve my life, and others'.

Knowledge is power - and knowing I'm autistic gives me power to make my life work better for me.

How might self-knowledge empower you?

It's Autism Awareness Week, and if you think you might be autistic, I'm offering 30% off all autism assessments booked this week (you can book your assessment for May, June or even later, but pay the discount price available this week).

Follow the link below and discover the power of your neurodiversity.

https://www.ascendbeyond.co.uk/autism-assessments

11/03/2022

Anger is not bad - in fact, it's essential for your survival.

How we express anger, determines whether it's perceived as bad, or not.

Learn how to cultivate positive anger and start living a more peaceful and free life.

DM to learn more.

11/03/2022

Don't try to be perfect in an imperfect world.

It uses too much brain power, and will deplete you from doing the things you are naturally good at.

You are perfect as you are and others will gravitate towards your authenticity.

09/03/2022

Brace yourselves!!

I'm back doing videos and here is the start of them.