Road Safety Competition Goes Live

CB's Road Safety competition has gone live. It runs until the 27th November, ending after Brake's official Road Safety Week 19th-25th

Entries need to be in the form of a Road Safety video lasting 1-3 minutes. Details, Terms and Conditions can be found on www.passwithcbs.co.uk/rsw2012

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Can you be seen?

I just sat counting cars for a moment.
The result out of 30 cars:

8 NO lights
12 sidelights
10 dipped lights
(6 of these with faulty head/tail lights!)
All in reasonable FOG!

Please! As drivers take a moment to think!

I was talking to an ambulance driver the other day, he mentioned the obsession with PARKING (side) lights. He said that they stand no chance spotting these when responding to a shout, and the offending car stands no chance in an argument with an emergency appliance.
Modern headlights, if correctly adjusted, are not blinding so SHOULD be used when visability is reduced. FOG lights if visability is reduced to 100m or less.

And as for those with lights not working - regular checks SAVE LIVES. Take a minute to check, it may save your life!

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SEN - Special Educational Needs

Does this title have a place in Driver Training?

SEN is a phrase that causes blanket statements, confusion and even sheer panic with many ADIs. Should it? Or shouldn't it really matter?It's origins in mainstream education are well founded as, when teaching a mass of individuals, certain pupils would require specific, individual approaches and methods to be used or allowed for. But we are not teaching a mass of individuals. In fact, the issue caused by "SEN" is that we are not in fact teaching the individual! We are instead teaching the label, teaching the condition, when the person should always come first.

We are looking at the less physical barriers to learning - Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, ADHD, Autism, Aspergers.... The list goes on. I believe it essential to have an understanding of the world through the eyes of the 'sufferer' (I hate the minefield of politically correct terms too! But that is another days discussion...). The possible 'symptoms' they may display, or the way they are likely to process or interact with the world. It is also essential to have a metaphorical workshop full of coping, adapting and descriptive strategies to use - a tool box is just not good enough.

The problem with taking a course (though they are a great starting point) is the same as me sitting in a classroom teaching someone to drive. You are only given the input, beliefs and views of the trainer. This is not the experience of the individual that is going to be sat next to you. It is not how their Personal Need has effected them and touched, formed or influenced their life. So this leads me back to my opening question. When teaching someone on a 1:1 basis (or even 2:1/3:1, which seems to be talked about with increasing interest) is their ever a need to generalise with the effect a 'condition' will have on someone?Knowing the names/titles/labels that have been given and what qualifies that diagnosis is vital to all. But it is only as important as the label assigned at birth of 'John', 'Billy' or 'Susan', and does not dictate their character, approach or attitude with any more clarity.

Just a thought, but if assessed I could be

"borderline Autistic-Aspergic with dyslexic and dyscalculaic tendencies, showing some signs of dyspraxia"

but I would be unlikely to say to you on the first lesson "oh, by the way...". Instead you are more likely to find out from me, through good rapport, questioning, discussion and observation, that I am

"quite a literal individual with some lack of social understanding. I don't like working with acronyms as I get muddled, and I struggle to translate the speedo. Oh, and you have to stay on your toes as I am likely to hit the gas not the brake, or not put the clutch down.... And remember when you said 'Drop the clutch' I replied 'I'm not holding one!'"

So, don't ALL of our pupils have "Personal Needs"? This is where Client Centred Learning (CCL) is coming from. We are providing a service in the same way as a bespoke suit - tailored to fit. It today's world of modern driver training I respectfully state that 'off the peg' training is no longer acceptable and does not produce the necessary standards.

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Festival of the Spoken Nerd

CB's have won tickets to the Festival of the Spoken Nerd, so felt it only fair to give them a plug!
So anyone looking for a fun night out visit www.festivalofthespokennerd.com to see if they are visiting somewhere near you!

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CB's Road Safety competition

Over £250 of Driving Lessons being given away! You can't get cheaper than that!
What do you need to do?..... Watch this space for details from your friendly local Driving Instructor (ADI).......
In support of Brake's Road Safety Week!

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Christmas Gifts!

Not sure what to get for someone for Christmas? Consider some driving vouchers!
Any age as long as they hold a Cat B licence, everyone can enjoy and benefit from some advice.
Parking?
Motorways?
Fuel saving? Eco?
You name it, we can cater to it!

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16 and want to drive? Book Now!

Many 16 year olds are keen to get behind the wheel.
CB's advice is book now! To get a good Instructor (ADI) available with a week's notice requires luck! So book now for a birthday lesson. CB's even offer a midnight service for those who are really keen!
In addition, book NOW and you get FREE Theory Test Training enabling you to take the test on or after your 17th. Gets the wheels in motion, but also reduces the cost of learning

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100% pass

CB's Driving School pupil returns from test with ZERO faults! This is an achievement less than 1% of test passes make. But this goes to prove it CAN be done!
Chris worked together with the pupil on a schedule to suit him, focussing on the areas required in a way that centred on the individual, not just the test. Combined with hours of practice privately it was possible to make this outstanding achievement affordable, enjoyable and provide a life long skill to boot!

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