York schools share best practice at Inclusion and Belonging Conference

School and education leaders in York shared best practice at a citywide conference last month to help children and young people feel included and supported at school.

Over 100 representatives from each school and multi-academy trust in York attended the Inclusion and Belonging: Building a School System that works for all conference to hear from local and national specialists about how to best develop a culture of belonging in all the city’s schools.

The conference launched a commitment to ensure that all children and young people in the city feel that they belong and can reach their full potential.

It coincides with the publication of York’s five-year Inclusion and Belonging Strategy, which sets out how the city will support children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families.

York’s school community heard from a headteacher whose school has adopted specialist principles to support pupils, together with national school inclusion experts.

Cllr Bob Webb, City of York Council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “I strongly believe in supporting our children to access mainstream education and that they all feel a sense of belonging in those schools.

“It’s important that we continue to deliver on this positive ambition here in York and work together to improve the school experience for those children who, for lots of reasons, struggle to feel like they are part of their school community.

“York’s Inclusion and Belonging Conference was a great opportunity for our education community to share best practice and to hear from specialist speakers. I hope that it will help schools continue to drive forward and develop further plans to become more prominent, inclusive communities for our young people and their families.”