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Inclusion Strategy Toolkit for Schools.

One inclusion priority | A clear plan for what to do next
Every mainstream school in England must publish an inclusion strategy by 31 December 2026. Our free toolkit helps senior leaders cut through the noise, highlighting one priority and helping them turn that priority into practice. We focus on Principle 3: high-quality adaptive teaching and a curriculum for all, with secondary support for other principles.
  • Deadline: 31 December 2026
  • Who: every mainstream school in England. Each academy in a trust publishes its own strategy 
  • Built around: the DfE's seven principles of inclusion
  • Funded by: the Inclusive Mainstream Fund, from 2026/27
  • Ofsted: Inclusion is now a distinct evaluation area, and inspectors look at pupils' actual experiences, not just policies

Access the toolkit

What's in the toolkit?

The Inclusion Strategy Companion:

A 17-page guide, plus a 3-page printable planning template, to help you write your Inclusion strategy for the 31st December deadline.

Our Inclusion white paper:

Findings from our analysis of Ofsted inspections under the new framework, focusing on Inclusion provision.

Curated webinars and podcasts:

Differentiation vs Adaptive Teaching, ADHD and Autism, Ofsted New Framework Analysis: Inclusion, and Sense of Belonging with Jon Hutchinson

Additional resources:

Links to our Inclusion resources and our information pack full of further Academy info.

What your inclusion strategy needs to include

The DfE asks schools to set out:
  • The barriers to learning and participation across your pupils
  • The activities you're investing in to remove those barriers
  • Your intended outcomes
  • A review of the previous academic year
The DfE encourages schools to focus on a small number of approaches, implemented well, rather than trying to do everything at once. That's exactly what this toolkit helps with, through informational videos, a handy follow-along strategy companion and in-depth whitepaper.

The seven principles of inclusion.

Your strategy is planned against seven principles:
  • Ambitious leadership and governance that embeds inclusion
  • Evidence-based support prioritising early intervention
  • High quality adaptive teaching with curriculum designed for all learners
  • Enriching provision beyond the classroom that all children can access
  • A safe and respectful culture fostering belonging, attendance, and participation in learning
  • Strong partnerships with families and wider services
  • Inclusive environments with continuous improvements to accessibility
The Inclusion Toolkit and InnerDrive resources focus most on Principle 3, because high-quality teaching reaches every pupil, every day. It's where well-planned staff training can make the biggest difference.

Inclusion isn't about lowering the bar

Inclusion starts with identifying the barriers that stop pupils accessing learning, then removing or reducing them. It isn't simply identifying pupils with SEND, treating every pupil identically, or creating a different plan for every child.

It's not about lowering the bar, but lowering the barrier. Inclusive teaching means high expectations plus the right support.

How the toolkit works

Understand what has changed with inclusion under Ofsted's renewed framework and the Inclusive Mainstream Fund
Choose your priority using the Ladder of Inference, so you act on evidence rather than assumptions
Understand the learner experience with three simple questions: Observe, Locate, Understand
Plan your implementation using the EEF's four stages: Explore, Prepare, Deliver, Sustain
Measure what matters, combining pupil voice, staff observation and indicators like attendance and participation

Who it's for.

Senior leaders and budget holders in schools, multi-academy trusts and 16+ providers who are writing their inclusion strategy and planning how to use the Inclusive Mainstream Fund.

Frequently asked questions.

● WANT TO DISCUSS WORKING WITH US?

Turn your inclusion strategy into practice.

Our team of psychologists, teachers and senior leaders design evidence-informed training that helps staff deliver inclusion in every classroom, through in-person workshops and the Teacher CPD Academy.