Our vision
To build an education system where inclusion is central to all decision-making, creating learning communities that celebrate diversity, promote equity, and ensure all learners, regardless of background or ability, have access to high-quality educational experiences.
Core principles
Our strategy is based on several core principles, all aimed at creating a truly inclusive and supportive learning environment for every student. The goal is for mainstream schools, colleges and educational settings to be fully equipped to provide rich, inclusive experiences.
Ordinarily available inclusive provision
Mainstream schools, colleges and educational settings will be equipped to provide a rich, inclusive education experience as the norm, meeting the needs of a diverse student population without reliance on external, specialised interventions.
Collaboration for community growth
Schools, colleges, educational settings, families, and communities will work together to co-create solutions that support all learners, recognising that inclusion extends beyond the classroom and into the wider community.
Restorative practice for inclusive learning
Restorative approaches will be central to creating cohesive school, college and educational setting communities, ensuring that conflict and challenges are addressed constructively and inclusively.
Inclusion as a foundation of community
Inclusive education benefits all learners. It fosters belonging, breaks down barriers to participation, and enhances learning outcomes for everyone.
Relational practices
Recognising the impact of trauma and adverse experiences, schools, colleges and educational settings will adopt practices that prioritise emotional safety, relationships, and empathy as core elements of teaching and learning.
Strategic priorities
Building inclusive learning communities
Focussing on: Key focus: Principled school, college and educational setting improvement, collaborative leadership, cultural change, peer-to-peer learning
Strengthening high-quality universal provisions
Focussing on: Inclusive classroom practices, professional development, collaborative approaches to improving emotional wellbeing, physical literacy and mental health
Promoting belonging and engagement
Focussing on: Trauma-informed training, attendance and access to education as a priority, child and young person voice
Fostering partnerships with families and communities
Focussing on: Family engagement, community collaboration
Embedding accountability and continuous improvement
Focussing on:Focussing on: Inclusion audits, outcome monitoring, transparent reporting
Implementation framework
How we will support schools and colleges to implement the inclusion and learning strategy.
- Inclusive leadership programs
Develop leadership training initiatives to equip school, college and educational setting leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to champion and evaluate inclusive practices effectively.
- Ordinarily available inclusive provision framework
Provide schools, colleges and educational settings with a practical framework that outlines strategies for creating inclusive learning environments, addressing everything from curriculum design to classroom management.
- Inclusive learning communities network
Establish networks for schools, colleges and educational settings to collaborate, share resources, and celebrate successes in building inclusive practices.
- Professional development pathways
Offer targeted training opportunities for all school, college and educational setting staff, focusing on inclusive teaching, trauma-informed practices, and restorative approaches.
- Restorative practice framework
Implement a county-wide framework for restorative practices, ensuring schools, colleges and educational settings are equipped to foster positive relationships and resolve conflicts constructively.