An Inclusive Curriculum

1. An Inclusive Curriculum Advantages and Disadvantages

2. Aims of the Session • To outline the principles and historical perspective of Inclusive Education. • To discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Inclusive Education.

3. The Smarties Task Working as a group please: • Empty the ‘Smarties’ in the bowl. • Sort the ‘Smarties’ into groups. • Think about the groups you have chosen and give reasons why, ie, colour, shape etc..

4. Discussion based on Task One Relate your method/s of categorisation to the mixture of people in our diverse society. Discuss the notion of Equality and Diversity. Questions: • ‘What colour are all ‘Smarties’ under their coating?’ • ‘Would you eat a slightly imperfect one?’ • ‘If you were asked to categorise them using complementary colours, which colours would you put together and why?’ • ‘Consider that the blue ‘Smarties’ may not wish to be placed in the same category as the pink ones.’ • ‘What else are you assuming in your groupings?’ • ‘Can you think of any other categories?’

5. Principles of Inclusive Education The main principle of Inclusive education is that all children have the right to be educated alongside their peers in a mainstream school wherever possible. • This will include children who have SEN or a disability which means that they have been educated in another setting, ie, special schools. • The SEN and Disability Act (2001) makes significant changes to the educational opportunities which are available to children with disabilities and those with SEN. • This means that it will be more likely for these children to be accepted into mainstream schools. But there will always be some children for whom mainstream education is not possible, ie, where highly specialised provision is needed. The majority of children should not need to be separated from one another in order to be educated. Please read, ‘Inclusion - A Potted History (1944-2004)’.

6. Advantages and Disadvantages of Inclusive Education Task Two In groups of 3, please discuss and complete the table, (Handout 1), highlighting the advantages of inclusive education, compared to separation. For example: Separation The children may receive ‘special’ or different treatment. Inclusion Equal treatment, all children to receive the support they need to build on and achieve their potential.

7. Identifying SEN Children Task 3 • In groups of 4, please look at the photographs of children on slide 8. • Can you identify the children who may have a Special Educational Need? • How can you tell? • List the criteria you used in your identification. Do you think it was fair?

8. Task Three – Can you identify the children who may have a Special Educational Need?