Comedy of the Week The Squid: Sketch a Minute
Jan 12, 2026
Tom Rees, a former headteacher and CEO, discusses the urgent need for inclusion reforms in education, reflecting on personal experiences with his son's SEND. Education reporter Kate McGuff reveals how Ofsted's new criteria will impact school practices, while Helen, a SENCO, shares insights into the challenges of maintaining an inclusive reputation amidst overwhelming demand. They explore diverse family perspectives, local inequality in services, and innovative strategies for better resource allocation, highlighting the importance of teacher training in the landscape of mainstream inclusion.
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What Mainstream Inclusion Actually Means
- Inclusion in mainstream schools covers classroom adaptations, targeted support, teacher training and creation of specialist bases within mainstream sites.
- Resource provisions and SEND units let pupils split time between mainstream and specialist teaching to varying degrees.
Ofsted Now Measures Inclusion
- Ofsted will judge schools on inclusion as one of six inspection areas alongside curriculum and behaviour.
- Inspectors will assess expectations, early identification and targeted support for pupils with SEND and other protected groups.
Balance Mainstream Inclusion With Specialist Places
- Specialist provision has grown rapidly; more children now attend specialist schools than before.
- Mainstream inclusion aims to let most children attend local schools while retaining specialist options for those who need them.