Commitment to Inclusion
At The Stonebridge School, inclusion is at the heart of our approach.
We believe every child should feel that they belong, are valued and can succeed. We are ambitious for all pupils and recognise that children have different strengths, experiences and needs. Our responsibility is to identify and reduce barriers so that every child can participate fully in learning and school life.
Every learner matters
Our approach reflects the wider international principle that every learner matters and matters equally.
This principle is central to UNESCO’s work on inclusive education and the Salamanca Statement, which established the importance of schools responding to the diverse needs of their pupils and enabling children to learn together.
For us, inclusion is therefore about more than access. It is about belonging, participation, high expectations and giving every child the opportunity to thrive.
Salamanca Statement and inclusive education – UNESCO
UNESCO: Inclusion in education
Inclusion at Stonebridge
Inclusion is a whole-school responsibility. It is reflected in our teaching, relationships, curriculum and wider school culture.
We recognise and value difference and work to understand the individual strengths, experiences and needs of our children. We listen to pupils and work in partnership with parents and carers so that children feel understood, supported and able to participate fully in school life.
We are committed to high expectations for all children and to continually developing our practice so that barriers to participation, learning and achievement are identified and reduced.
Learning from inclusion practice beyond Stonebridge
Our commitment to inclusion is strengthened by engaging with national and international thinking and practice.
The Stonebridge School is working towards accreditation with the International Forums of Inclusion Practitioners (IFIP), supporting us to reflect on and further develop inclusive practice across the school.
Our leadership's wider professional work in inclusion also connects Stonebridge with national and international practice, including IFIP, UNESCO, World Inclusion Conferences and the work of inclusion specialist Daniel Sobel. These connections provide opportunities to learn from others and bring relevant thinking and practice back into the continued development of inclusion at Stonebridge.
Belonging at The Stonebridge School
Ultimately, inclusion is about belonging.
We want every child to feel known, understood and valued; to have high aspirations for themselves; and to know that difference is a valued part of our school community.
Our commitment is simple:
Every child matters. Every child belongs. Every child should have the opportunity to thrive.
