Inclusion is a word that we hear a lot in schools nowadays. Whilst most of us understand it to mean a sense of belonging and equality, we may not know how it is used concerning schools and education.

Inclusion means giving each student every possible opportunity to help them meet their potential in school. This, therefore, requires an approach that takes note of every student’s uniqueness and challenges whilst offering them every support available to progress and succeed.

This is NOT the same as offering them an advantage over others; instead, it is an attempt to equalise situations that would otherwise further disadvantage a student. Take, for example, an intellectually able student with dyslexia, i.e. difficulty with reading. This difficulty immediately puts them at a disadvantage, as most exams are based on reading a question and then writing an answer.  Why should this student not be allowed to show what they can do and achieve in the same way as another intellectually similar student that does not have a learning need?

Here are some ways to ensure students are included in school:

Inclusion in the classroom

Students with additional needs should be educated in an inclusive classroom alongside their peers. This promotes acceptance and understanding by both their classmates and teachers. Allowing students with needs to participate in the group is paramount for them to feel they belong and are an integral part of the school community. Teachers must consider how the lesson is delivered to include a wide range of academic abilities and incorporate those with special needs. Often this requires additional resources and methods of delivery that will allow all students to access the school’s curriculum. Tasks may need to be broken down, with some students doing several smaller individual parts of the task at a time. Others may require information and knowledge to be presented differently, such as visually or aurally, to match how they learn. Nowadays, many new technologies can be utilised in class to help students understand and engage in their learning.

Inclusion outside of the classroom

All students should have access to the extracurricular activities they wish to participate in, even where their choice may not be where their strengths lie. The opportunity to participate is great for their self-esteem and sense of belonging.

I once had a high school student with Aspergers who wanted to participate in a school project promoting awareness of autism. Given this student’s social awkwardness, we were somewhat apprehensive when he announced that he wanted to address the whole school regarding how he felt about his autism. His peers devised a plan to surround him whilst he was speaking to offer moral support, and others (those seated in the auditorium) were poised to give a standing ovation no matter how his speech went. Once we had given the student the opportunity he craved, on the day, he was fantastic, and the whole school stood up for him. This student is now an activist and lobbyist for the rights of autistic children.  This kind of ‘extracurricular’ experience can be truly life-changing!

Inclusion at exam times and assessments

Students with additional needs often find exams and assessments particularly daunting. Most countries have a legal framework for supporting students with a specific condition that limits their access to education, including provisions to support exams and assessments. These have a variety of names such as ‘exam concession’, ‘alternative accommodations’, and ‘inclusive arrangements’. The most common exam concessions offered are extra time, using a word processor, a reader, or a scribe.

Will other students be disadvantaged through inclusive education?

Studies show that all students learn more when teachers and schools have inclusive practices. More focused and tailored approaches to learning ensure that students with additional needs demonstrate higher achievements. These individualised approaches benefit all students and can result in improved performance in literacy, maths, and social skills- all the building blocks for future life and success.