Global Inclusion Award 2024
On 13th-15th March 2024 Mrs Turner and Ms Frans went to Paris to receive an award on behalf of the school. The award was made by the International Forums for Inclusive Practitioners in conjunction with UNESCO and marking the 30th anniversary of the Salamanca Statement, an international accord to commit to inclusion in schools across the world.
There were over 1500 applications for the award from various schools and organisations to show their commitment to inclusive practice from across the world. UNESCO appointed an independent panel of international inclusion experts to view all the entries and make a judgement and they awarded about 150 entries. We were one of the schools chosen which means we stood out on the world stage for our inclusion.
The judges’ reasons for choosing our entry were our inclusive ethos, specifically CREAM, and also our use of assistive technology in the classroom. We take so much of what we do as part of our normal everyday practice without necessarily thinking it’s anything special. But on this occasion our work has been seen and recognised internationally as leading practice. It’s a massive achievement.
UNESCO clearly believe in intensive conference experiences and there were no long, lingering lunch breaks!
The technology session was particularly interesting, seeing as assistive technology was identified as a particular strength for us. There’s a tendency for us to view assistive technology as the “shiny” tech and an example for us in school might be the cochlear implant technology, which is very sophisticated, and improves dramatically the inclusion opportunities for some of our deaf children. But in fact, what was highlighted, was the impact of using technology daily in small ways which increases inclusion for all children, whether it’s a SEND need, bilingualism or another need. Examples of that practice might include being able to enlarge text, or change the colours of the text or the background, being able to review prior learning or to repeat new learning by having flexible access to the resources on the iPad, being able to use translation quickly, being able to write in first language where it can be translated, use of apps like LbQ which allow children to learn at their own pace, easy access to visuals, use of voice/ text apps, giving higher levels of autonomy to children in their learning. There are many, many different ways in which we use tech as a tool in our daily practice for inclusion. They call it part of the Universal Design for Learning.
Ms Frans had already been asked to speak on two panels a while ago, having worked in this arena before she came to Five Elms, and she spoke on parental inclusion and as part of the Africa committee session. There were many aspects of inclusion, which were addressed through different international panels on subjects like classroom practice, teacher training, use of technology, working with families, supporting school staff with inclusion, building inclusive environments, inclusion beyond school and into the workplace and separate sessions for each continent.
Countries from across the world sent representatives to the conference.
We intend to frame and display the certificate in school and some of the pictures. We hope you are proud of what we do in school and our achievements!