Cheam High School has come under fire by a parent (Image: Google Maps)

Cheam: School Case Sparks Landmark Ruling on Disabled Pupils’ Rights! (23.8.2026)

I have added the single comment this article has a) attracted, and/or b) been filtered-out and included by the paper (who knows?). Although the readership does not possess all the details that the Tribunal considered – The Sutton Guardian thinks it is reasonable to include a comment from an obvious right-wing troll. Presumably the “presence” of a disabled child would be considered “disruptive” (regardless of disability or behaviour) – or perhaps the a “wheelchair” would be considered “disruptive” because able-bodied students have to “make adjustments” by walking around it? Or, the school needs to “ensure” that the alleyways and corridors are “wide-enough”? The far-right speculation is endless and it is interesting that Sutton Guardian feels the need to share it with the general readership.

Portrait of William of Ockham by Peter Paul Rubens 1617

UK: William of Ockham (1287-1347-49?) – Origin of “Occam’s Razor”! (22.8.2026)

The Church and the State would have us believe that out of this quagmire of human ignorance and darkness – rays of light emerged. I can say that William of Ockham did write copious numbers of texts on all kinds of academic and theological topics, including politics, biographies, and philosophy. Part of the delay in the examination of his work by the Vatican in the 1320s was caused by its sheer volume. And it would seem that after his “Excommunication” – the nature of his work became ever-more defiant and questioning of Church authority. I think his conflict with the Church solidified his method of the efficient use of knowledge as a means of critiquing Church dogma and theology. Indeed, William appears to become nearly “Protestant” in his argument with Avignon. He may not have coined the term “Occam’s Razor” (why would a humble monk do such a strange thing?) – but he certainly earned the right to be considered a strong candidate for its modern inception due to the nature of the hostility he had to contend with. Although I am always suspicious of bourgeois sources (due to their a priori anti-Socialist position) – I believe we can trust the two I have included below. As always – think for yourself.

William Whiston (1667 – 1752), holding his drawing of the solar system.

UK: I Once Ran a Half-Marathon over 1 Hr 40 Mins [13.25 Miles] in Hereford During the 1980s – and Neither of My Legs Were Broken! (8.8.2026)

I was born in Oxford (Hitler bombed my mother’s family out of working-class Lewisham in 1940) – and I love the history and “learning” associated with the place (I can walk around with a book about Marx on open display and no one bats an eyelid). I did attend Oxford – but I paid to do so – as I could not attain a place due to my own limitations when I was young. It just so happened that my intellectual abilities matured at the same time when I experienced a decade of wealth. Although Oxford does discriminate, I “paid” to access a “Philosophy of Mind” course – which I passed despite not fitting-in (I was in my late 30s at the time and was surrounded by BBC executives, Guardian Reporters, and UN employees – but my family was proud). However, I was told a story of a young woman who was born into a poor working-class family and brought-up on a housing estate.

Amelia's mother, Kayley (r), says strict school policies resulted in her daughter becoming ill

UK: Parents & Pupils Took on “Cruel” & “Authoritarian” Devon & Cornwall “Athena Academy Schools” – & Won! (4.8.2026)

And Zara says her autistic daughter Hannah, who has hearing difficulties and attends Ilfracombe Academy, was repeatedly removed from class because her needs were not recognised.

“Behaviour is just put down to persistent defiance and bad behaviour, and they’re punished for it,” she says. “It’s never recognised as being linked to their disabilities.”

Athena told us that children with special educational needs are “not routinely sanctioned for behaviours associated with their needs”.

A lot of the anger we heard in Devon and Cornwall is, we were told, down to the lack of accountability.

Academy trusts do not have any supervision from local councils, meaning only central government can intervene.

One of the biggest weaknesses of the trust system is that it complicates the complaints process, says education journalist Laura McInerney, who co-founded Teacher Tapp, an app designed to track educators’ wellbeing, classroom practices, and opinions on education policy.

If parents are not satisfied with a specific school’s response, she says, they have to contact the trust, which could be miles way, and which “you may or may not hear from in anything other than a letter”.

The government says parents can take complaints about academy trusts to the Department for Education.

Across England, there is growing concern about punitive disciplinary practices in schools.

The Wyles Family on Tour - 2026!

UK: Giant Sun-Dial [Wakefield Gardens] – Outside the South Exit of Tower Hill Tube Stop! (1.8.2026)

As such, we completely missed this giant sun-dial and were not aware of its presence. Yesterday, (31.7.2026) we visited the Tower Bridge – which allowed us to leave the Tube by its other exit – thus permitting a close-up encounter with the giant sun-dial. The children have seen the sun-dial at the former home of Charles Darwin in Kent – so they were aware of the mechanism and the science behind its functioning. What impressed them (and us) was the sheer scale of this structure. Everyone attempts to get the best and all inclusive photographs. We have always followed the idea that the more the children physically experience – the greater will be their progressive thinking capacity! This sun-dial is fascinating to encounter – similar to finding a maze! London – like England – is full of these kinds of things and we are lucky to live so close to it all!

The Tower Bridge - London - UK

UK: Visting Tower Bridge – North & South Towers – East & West Walkways! (1.8.2026)

Of course, the bridge was never designed to be a tourist attraction per se – but it certainly is today – replete with a glass-floor on each of the two towers. Climbing the 209-steps-up essentially culminates in the traversing of the two towers – “North” and the “South” which are 213-feet above the water of the River Thames. Along the side of the Walls are arranged historical write-ups about this or that fact. For instance, a “bail of hay” has to hung beneath the arms of the bridge when these arms are not in operation and/or receiving repair.

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