Inclusion is often discussed in terms of classroom strategies and curriculum design, but what if inclusion could happen in a competitive arena? At Discovery Schools Trust, we’ve discovered a powerful way to unite pupils from primary, secondary, and special schools: Esports. This innovative programme has…
Tag: inclusion
Meeting Children at Their Point of Need
Real Inclusion, Real Partnership, Real Purpose Celebrating the opening of a new classroom block at Birch Wood Special School got me thinking about the relationship between buildings and a culture of inclusion. Physical spaces are never neutral; they send powerful…
“This Is Going to Hurt”: Leadership Lessons for Trusts in the Hardest Moments
Prologue: On the Touchline It was one of those crisp, bright weekends, parents lined the rugby pitch, coffees steaming, conversations ebbing and flowing between phases of play, my firstborn was playing. He found space, cut inside, and then, feet pumping; shoulders set dived over the line.…
Discovery’s Journey towards Inclusion
After 30 years in education, I thought I had a good grasp on inclusion. I was wrong. A few years ago, our Trust (Discovery) made a deliberate decision to bring special schools into our fold. This move has transformed how we think…
‘How do we define success in a world obsessed with performance?’
An Explanation with Help from Two Famous Dylan’s (Dylan Wiliam & Dylan Thomas) At our recent Golden Thread-Inclusion & SEND conference, keynote speaker Phil Leaney grappled with the topic of inclusive leadership in a meritocratic system, posing the question: ‘How…
Ask the ‘Expert’- The Parent Voice- Steph and Rob Hayden, Undiagnosed Children’s Day 2023
To raise awareness of Undiagnosed Children’s Day (28th April 2023), Hannah O’ Mara- Assistant Head from Birch Wood is joined by Rob and Steph Hayden for the second ‘Ask the Expert’ podcast. They candidly share the challenges and joys of…