Best practice...

The variability in approaches between schools, Trusts and local authorities never ceases to amaze me. 

I have been working today with a parent whose child has been placed in medical provision rather than permanently excluded (for an offence that could easily have attracted a perm ex in many schools). I was helping to explain how reintegration to mainstream might work and how the LA and the school were working together to address the child's needs alongside ensuring the safety of other students and staff. We were looking at the possible impact on the child's curriculum and progression and unpicking the various possible directions of travel alongside bearing in the mind the undoubted medical needs.

What impressed me was how, in a very difficult situation for the family, the child and the school, the Principal (and other staff) and the LA had collaborated really effectively to find a solution and how they were continuing to review and plan going forward in the child's best interests. Yes, the communication and systems have needed to be explained to the family, and this has caused some unnecessary stress and worry, but, at the heart of this, the professionals were doing the right thing for the child.

There are bright spots in our education system - we have to find a way to ensure that this inclusive best practice become our normal way of working. The incentive currently is to "perm ex" and "get rid" of the student - it has been so heartening to see an example where alternative solutions have been found.