Inclusion or inclusive education involves a different and diverse range of students learning alongside each other in the same setting. It values the diversity of the students and the contributions each child brings to the classroom.
The government must support pupils with special educational needs at school by ensuring that all children with medical conditions (both physical and mental health) have the appropriate staff, resources and environment to learn.
Inclusion also covers support with social development, such as helping a child with their communication needs or supporting the development or maintenance of friendships throughout their school life. It also involves children being fully included in school by:
Inclusive Teaching & Learning
Inclusion can happen in the classroom, in settings attached to the school like Specialist Resource Bases (SRBs) and across the school as a whole. A teacher may present information or plan their lessons to be more inclusive by creating:
More Support Needed
If you notice that your child is not fully accessing the curriculum it may indicate that they need more help. Speak to your class teacher or school Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo) if you observe:
Specialist resource bases provide children with more specialised support and resources than they might have in a mainstream classroom. Children don't need to have an EHCP to attend a base, and support from these bases can be planned in 3 ways:
All young people attending an SRB will have individual learning plans, and attend mainstream classes and whole school activities where appropriate.
Exclusion involves a school temporarily or permanently removing a child from the school premises. Only the headteacher of a school can exclude a child and it's a serious step for a headteacher to take.
They must consider additional reasons that caused any disruptive behaviour including:
Neurodivergent young people have a higher risk of being excluded than other children. According to law, headteachers can only exclude pupils for breaching school behaviour policy, where allowing the pupil to stay in school would harm the education or welfare of that pupil, or others in the school.
Suspension/Fixed Term Exclusions
A suspension, or fixed-term exclusion, is when your child can be removed from school temporarily. They can only be removed from school for up to 45 school days in one school year, and can only be excluded for disciplinary reasons.
If your child has special education needs (SEN) the school should be checking they have the right forms of support in place to avoid exclusion.
Permanent Exclusion
Permanent Exclusion means your child is no longer allowed to attend a school. The local authority must then arrange full-time education in another school or alternative provision from the sixth school day.
Part-Time Timetables
All school pupils are entitled to a full-time education including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Part-time timetables are only an option in exceptional circumstances in mainstream schools where it is in the child's best interests to meet their needs. For example, where a medical condition prevents a pupil from attending full-time, or if it is used as part of a reintegration package for a young person to return to school.
It's not a pleasant feeling to find out your child has been excluded. But it's important to try to keep calm and let your child know you are in control of the situation.
If your child is at risk of exclusion and they have SEN, you can contact Norfolk SENDIASS or Suffolk SENDIASS for advice.
Let us know what you think!
We've been working together in Norfolk and Waveney with families and professionals to put together information, advice and resources that are helpful to families. Let us know what you think, and anything we could change or add to make it even better.
If you live in Norfolk
You can contact the Healthy Child Service team by calling Just One Number on 0300 300 0123 or texting Parentline on 07520 631590. Our opening hours are 8am-6pm Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays) and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.
If you are 11-19 you can text ChatHealth on 07480 635060 for confidential advice from one of our team.
If you live in Waveney
Norfolk SEND Local Offer provide information and advice on services for young people with additional needs in Norfolk.
Suffolk SEND Local Offer provide information and advice on services for young people with additional needs in Waveney.
Mencap is a national charity who support people with learning disabilities. They offer a free Learning Disability Helpline with advice and guidance. Call 0808 808 1111 to speak to a trained professional.
Kooth offers online counselling, advice and emotional well-being support for anyone aged 10-18, seven days a week until 10pm.
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