The
Scottish Government has a consultation open on ‘Excellence and Equity for
All: Guidance on the Presumption of Mainstreaming.’ We’ll be submitting our own response, but we encourage other parents,
especially if you have children who have Additional Support Needs, to make your
own voice heard before 9 February 2018.
Aims of
the Consultation
The
consultation is asking for views on draft guidance for local authorities,
teachers, and other education workers. While the guidance is aimed at people working
in education, it will also feed into guidance that will then be written for
parents and carers.
What is
Mainstreaming?
Mainstreaming
is the legal requirement for local authorities to work on the basis that they
will provide education for all children in a mainstream school, though there
are three exceptions to this:
- If it would not suit the ability or aptitude of the child;
- If it would negatively impact the efficient education of other children in the school
- If it would be too expensive, resulting in unreasonable public expenditure
What Does
It Say?
The
consultation states that ‘an inclusive approach, with an appreciation of
diversity and an ambition for all to achieve to their full potential, is
essential to getting it right for every child and raising attainment for all.’
To
do this, the consultation looks at four areas:
What the features of an inclusive school environment are. This
means that not only is the pupil present and learning at the school, but is
also supported to be able to take part in the school community.
How to decide on the right provision for a pupil.
When to make exceptions to mainstreaming.
Guidance on delivering inclusion in schools. 8 key
areas are identified to deliver inclusion:
- Leadership
- Constructive challenge to attitudes
- Evaluation of planning process
- Capacity to deliver inclusion
- Parental and carer engagement
- Early intervention, prevention and strong relationships
- Removal of barriers to learning
These include examples of how individual
schools have managed to do so.
You
can view and respond to the consultation at the Scottish
Government’s consultation website. It closes on
