Durham Local Authority’s education Department, Education Durham, has been recognised for its Commitment to Inclusive Education. Providing a high-quality education for all children, regardless of background or needs, Education Durham strives to ensure all children in their schools reach their full potential through an ongoing commitment to inclusive practice. The team at Education Durham is made up of 100 professionals, including school improvement officers and those with headship experience. Leadership have ensured they can offer specialists across all subjects and phases. Serving 211 primary schools (45% of which are academies), 29 secondary schools (96% of which are academies), 9 special schools (10% of which are academies) and one PRU (pupil referral unit), Education Durham prioritises providing excellent local schools for local children. Regular meetings with schools, MATs, and Trusts, as well as active engagement with senior leaders and Headteachers, demonstrate a commitment to putting children first in Durham, and to providing an inclusive learning environment for all, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Education Durham embraces the core values of the ‘OPEN’ acronym: (Outcome Focused, People Focused, Empowering, iNnovative). So much so, that 34 schools have registered with IQM; 14 schools have successfully achieved the Inclusive School Award, 8 hold Centre of Excellence status, and 2 are recognised as Flagship Schools. Inclusion was described by one school leader as a “tapestry” interwoven into the educational community in Durham. This commitment from Education Durham to ‘invest in inclusion’, alongside the priorities of the Council, further reinforces its enthusiasm for inclusive education.
Reflecting on their journey, Durham LA’s Education Department said that “Undertaking our journey towards the achievement of the Inclusion Quality Mark is recognition of Education Durham’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for all. The process and learning journey we have been on, reflects the team’s dedication to ensuring that every individual, regardless of background or ability, feels valued, supported, and empowered. We are proud of our service efforts in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we will continue to build on this achievement in partnership with our schools and settings.”
One of the most notable aspects of Education Durham’s approach is The Pupil Inclusion Panel, founded 10 years ago to support an increasing number of children struggling in their schools. The panel works to develop positive relationships within schools to support students, staff, parents and carers. They collaborate with representatives from other agencies, such as Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), Educational Psychologists (EPs), the Anti-Social Behaviour Team, the Police, and the Health Team, to ensure a comprehensive approach to inclusion across their schools. Full-time Inclusive Practitioners are employed to work with families, at home and in school, to offer a neutral perspective on important issues. The position of Lead Inclusive Provision & Pastoral Support was created in 2019, to ensure the success of the inclusion development plan, and has now become the current IQM Lead’s post. Initiatives such as “Delivering Better Value”, collaborations with local authorities on SEND and AP projects, and the opportunity for other LAs to purchase support on inclusion and pastoral services from Education Durham, are all clear indicators of their commitment to inclusion right across their work.
Education Durham recognises that inclusivity in schools can only be achieved when staff are fully supported and encouraged. Durham Local Authority has a comprehensive support system in place to support new Headteachers. Comprising of mentorship, professional development, networking, practical support, and mental health resources, the programme’s far-reaching approach ensures that staff wellbeing is a priority. A strong partnership with a Leadership Advisor helps new Headteachers address specific challenges and promotes their professional growth through personalised support. From staff management to school improvement planning, they can receive guidance and support on a range of issues. Termly service days also show a strong commitment from Education to building a better workplace; all teams join together to reflect and develop on current issues. Recently, a service day focused on neurodiversity, where training was delivered to colleagues and then subsequently rolled out to schools as an agenda item at the Secondary Head’s Group. Strong links with Teaching Schools, Higher Education and businesses ensure all support is current and relevant.
Education Durham’s commitment to bespoke support extends to their students, too. Training offers are swiftly created according to specific feedback. Recently, they added to the SEND offer due to an increase in need. They also offer a comprehensive library service, with quality resources that enrich the curriculum and inspire creative teaching, due to the emphasis they place on developing literacy in their schools. Leaders are in the process of developing a Greater Depth Reading programme, to further support schools in this key learning area. The development of the Behaviour and Inclusion partnership is a further sign of Education Durham’s commitment to inclusive education. Last academic year, the partnership supported 145 young people across 82 schools in County Durham. As a result of this support, only one pupil went on to be permanently excluded. The Woodlands, the Local Authority Maintained PRU, is another example of the many layers of support in place for pupils in County Durham. The Bridge is the provision for the Pathway Identification Programme, that supports permanently excluded pupils who have the ability to return to mainstream education through a six week reintegration trial, supported by the staff at Woodlands. By creating a safe and nurturing environment for their pupils, the provision helps to boost the self-esteem and resilience of the young people who use the services. This effective use of targeted support and proactive behaviour further exhibits Education Durham’s commitment to every pupil, irrespective of needs or background.
Inclusion is used to empower young people beyond the classroom in County Durham. The Youth Council is made up of 11–19 year olds who are dedicated to listening to and uplifting the voices of young people across County Durham. Their work extends beyond conversation: they have recently been involved in planning a new venue, The Story, and have created an exhibition titled “Welcome to our County: The Children of Yesterday and Tomorrow,” that tells the story of young people throughout history. By instilling the values of inclusion through youth outreach, young people can connect with their peers and learn valuable life lessons from each other. Inclusion reaches beyond the classroom to parents and carers, with forums created to ensure their voice is heard. The Corporate Parenting Panel supports the care and security of young people who cannot stay at home safely. The council has worked to provide for the increasing number of unaccompanied asylum seekers, establishing a dedicated social care team to support these students and providing one caseworker per child to ensure consistency. While waiting for a placement, children can access Flash Academy, an education platform, as well as language support from the English for Speakers of Other Languages Team. Education Durham also work with external providers, such as “DurhamWorks”, who provide an inclusive programme that helps to remove barriers to progression, and offers careers information and guidance from professionals. They work to ensure children have a successful future post-16 and have a strong relationship with the Virtual School.
From students to staff, school corridors to life beyond the classroom, Education Durham has shown an unwavering commitment to inclusion. Inclusion is not a single issue, but one that finds a place in everything they do. Staff and parents are just as important as pupils when it comes to belonging to an inclusive educational community. They continue to go from strength, working continuously to enrich the educational lives of young people across County Durham.