Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Acknowledged
Absence of a departmental definition for inclusive education hinders clarity and investment planning.
Conclusion
We welcome the Department’s focus on inclusive education; however, we are concerned about the absence of a Departmental definition of this and the subsequent lack of clarity about what ‘inclusive mainstream’ education looks like and means in practice for educators, education settings, pupils and families. We are also concerned that the Department does not appear to have a clear understanding of the timescale and level of investment that is needed to achieve a truly inclusive mainstream education system. (Conclusion, Paragraph 34)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of inclusive education and outlines its 'Plan for Change,' including establishing an Expert Advisory Group for Inclusion, deploying RISE advisors, and incorporating an explicit focus on inclusion in Ofsted's new framework.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
As part of our Plan for Change, we are committed to reforming the SEND system to deliver an excellent, inclusive education for every child and young person with a world class curriculum and highly trained, expert staff at every phase of learning. We are committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools to ensure they have the tools to better identify and support children before issues escalate. In December 2024, we created an Expert Advisory Group for Inclusion, led by Tom Rees, to advise the Secretary of State for Education and the Minister of State for School Standards on how to drive inclusive education practice. Our new team of expert Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) advisors will also work with mainstream schools to become more inclusive places as one of four priority areas for improvement. The RISE advisors include leaders from the SEND and alternative provision sectors, with a track record of improving schools, who will work with schools and their responsible bodies to drive improvement. They will work directly with schools through bespoke targeted intervention, and support the identification and dissemination of effective inclusive practice as part of the RISE universal improvement offer. The government aims to deliver a rich, broad and inclusive reformed curriculum and commissioned an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review July 2024. Furthermore, for the first time Ofsted have set out an explicit focus on inclusion in their new framework, gathering evidence on factors from school culture to assessment of need. The new inspection framework came into effect on 10 November.