\u00a31.6 billion \u201cinclusive mainstream fund\u201d<\/a>, this will be paid directly to schools for interventions at the \u201cearliest signs\u201d of additional needs. It must be spent on \u201cseven principles of inclusion\u201d. It is clearly not a panacea for school funding, nor was it meant to be.<\/p>\nIt is also clear that inclusive settings are already doing much of this work. Many of the answers lay within and throughout the system.<\/p>\n
Heads Roundtable has long argued for more inclusive approaches, presented evidence, signposted the systemic influences and actors preventing genuine inclusion. So, what do schools need to bear in mind when spending this funding?<\/p>\n
Ambitious leadership that embeds inclusion<\/h2>\n This means structural approaches with shared language to consciously trained leadership at all levels. There need to be emotionally consistent adults from the very top with a commitment to ensuring all students thrive. It must therefore be evidenced and interrogated.<\/p>\n
But how does it present in senior leadership team and governor training, reports, agendas and discussions? Student and parent voice is integral to this knowledge.<\/p>\n
Leaders who proactively ask \u201cwho is missing learning, who feels disengaged, who is not attending and what is in our power to impact?\u201d are at least equipped to know where they can start to make change.<\/p>\n
A safe and respectful culture fostering belonging and attendance<\/h2>\n We can commit to \u201cbelonging\u201d, but do we fully understand who is missing learning (in and out of school) and why?<\/p>\n
Ensuring that students feel welcome, seen and known is context driven, requiring time and careful training to ensure our staff understand our students and the strategies that best work for them.<\/p>\n
That time and training for staff works when protected in a safe, secure working environment, equipping adults to be at their best for students who need it most.<\/p>\n
Evidence-based intervention<\/h2>\n \u201cInterventions\u201d are not always a bought-in solution but instead work best when research-informed and context-specific, delivered with sustainable implementation in mind.<\/p>\n
Once understood, the inclusive mainstream fund can expand these. However, profit-driven companies are already seeking a slice of this funding, creating Ofsted-focused activities which inevitably suit a checklist but not a broader culture rooted in contextual school community.<\/p>\n
High-quality teaching with curriculum designed for all learners<\/h2>\n This is at the heart of inclusion, yet we wrestle with curriculum and exam specifications which exclude by default. We await the outcomes of curriculum review to see how this supports the objectives set out.<\/p>\n
Staffing is our greatest asset, therefore continuous professional development for adaptive teaching is essential for effective adaption, modelling and scaffolding.<\/p>\n
Expert training is the best investment and is now funded. Schools will do this differently, but collaborative planning and deep professional learning provide time for all to become experts.<\/p>\n
Examples of low-cost, collaborative approaches include effective planning with learning support assistants and high-level teaching assistants disseminating expertise across the school.<\/p>\n
Accessible and enriching provision beyond the classroom<\/h2>\n This enhances belonging and broadens horizons. It is also context specific, with different urban and rural challenges.<\/p>\n
In-curriculum enrichment is beneficial but can affect attendance or belonging if not structured carefully. Activities often come at a financial cost which cannot be borne by schools or families.<\/p>\n
Much can be achieved with careful tracking of demographic engagement, student voice and empowering local philanthropic support. We must collaboratively share where this works and how.<\/p>\n
Strong partnerships with families and wider services<\/h2>\n This starts before the community sets foot on a school site. What is said on open evening, on admissions enquiries? Who feels welcome and who does not attend?<\/p>\n
Visible, positive discussion of inclusion brings the whole community on board; expensive surveys measuring \u201cbelonging\u201d can only do so much.<\/p>\n
Many schools already build inclusive communities. For example, home and primary visits before induction, regular feedback loops, teaching communication and self-regulation skills.<\/p>\n
Regular personal contact with a named person builds relationships and trust. Parent forums share expert knowledge, and family hubs provide bases for community reach. With the right connections and support, these networks can align for greater impact.<\/p>\n
We should not conflate additional grant funding with the wider issues of public sector finance. There is much we can achieve with collaboration and research-informed focus.<\/p>\n
Many schools have been developing inclusive practice for years with no additional funding and perverse system incentives. Current pressures are compromising these practices and true inclusion in challenging areas carries significant staffing cost.<\/p>\n
No single grant can ease this. We do not need silver bullets or shiny packages, we need genuine collaboration alongside wider partners to reduce all costs and barriers so that ethical, inclusive leaders have the space, time and resource to do what they do best.<\/p>\n
Co-authored<\/a> with Duncan Spalding, executive headteacher at Aylsham High School, and Kulvarn Atwal, executive headteacher at Highlands Primary School and Uphall Primary School.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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