Conference to promote inclusion in Northern Ireland schools.
Tuesday 13 March 2007
Disability, ethnicity, poverty, sexuality, bullying, emotional wellbeing and a range of other issues affecting children's lives should not be barriers to learning, but in Northern Ireland Save the Children is concerned that some children are denied a quality education because structures and systems in schools are often too inflexible to accommodate their individual needs. Save the Children believes that all schools should strive progressively to become more inclusive. This means recognising, accepting and valuing the differences experienced by all members of a school community, and building the flexibility to respond positively to these into school development planning.
On 6 March Save the Children ran a one day conference exploring inclusion within education; what inclusion means for schools, teachers, governors, other staff, communities, children and their families; and importantly how inclusive approaches within school can lay a stronger foundation for social relationships, and educational and personal success.
The conference specifically aimed to promote and encourage the use of the Index for Inclusion, a school development framework used in 35 countries across the world to support inclusive practices in schools.
Dame Anna Hassen, one of the guest speakers, gave an inspiring presentation about her own experience of developing an inclusive and extended school in Hackney. Dame Anna, who was brought up in Northern Ireland, has lived in the London Borough of Hackney for over 28 years and is Head Teacher at Millfields Community School, a school deemed "outstanding" by OFSTED.
Passionate about life long learning, parental involvement and community development, she told delegates at the conference: - "...our role as educators is to provide opportunities for learners to ensure that by being 'inclusive they can aspire to and achieve their highest potential. This has to be done in as many ways as possible to open the door of opportunity to all."
Save the Children plans to produce a conference report and is also offering the opportunity to create change in individual schools by developing up to 10 school practice partnerships across Northern Ireland.