But while the variety of voices and stories is one of the book’s strengths, it is also one of its key limitations. He proved that he could have changed his behavior any time it benefited him when he reinvented himself at the new school . History is written by the victors they say, and too often, education policy is written by those who have been successful within that system. Equipping teachers with the skills and knowledge to support these pupils can have a lifelong impact on their academic, personal, and professional development.

It tells the story of a system that is fraught with unintended consequences, brings the lived experiences of young people alive and challenges the notion of one-size-fits-all strategies. Reading this book reinforced in me how essential it is that we prioritise supporting our ‘square pegs’ and work towards a more inclusive and equitable education system. McPartlin’s approach to nurturing his students’ self-belief and ambition is truly inspiring and it made me reflect on the type of educator I want to be. It is also a great book which brings together a range of voices to provide an essential toolkit for anybody working with or living with square pegs. If you are too free-spirited as a parent, then maybe providing some rules and boundaries will help them.The educational system we work in has, in my opinion, been created for the round pegs who fit perfectly into the round holes and yet the young people in our schools are all unique and are not carbon copies of each other. Suitable for all professionals working in education and the related issues surrounding children and young people's mental health, as well as policymakers, academics and government ministers.

A must-read for all black aspiring school leaders and anyone in a position to support their ambition, says Jess. This book should be an essential piece of reading for everyone who works with, or is interested in the lives of children who struggle to be included or are often overlooked. ADHD kid goes from high school dropout to Harvard professor while his family lives on the brink for more than 10 years. This comprehensive guide to inclusion features 38 chapters from 53 contributors with a diverse array of perspectives and experiences. Featuring contributions from more than 50 individual authors, this is an accessible, dip-in, dip-out book – perfect for busy school leaders.Each chapter is short and manageable as far as information and he provides a recap of the most important parts for you to take away. It shows how important supporting students who are often misunderstood, overlooked and marginalised because they do not fit the mould and demonstrates that providing supportive and inclusive environments can give them the chance to thrive and be proud of who they are, benefiting them and the entire school community. The author has some practical advice that will interest parents and should also interest policy makers.