The Index for Inclusion

Why have an Index Forum?

Purpose To offer regular opportunities to discuss

school improvement with other neighbouring schools, using the shared language of the index for inclusion.

A value based approach

“Values are fundamental guides and prompts to action. They spur us forward, give us a sense of direction and define a destination. …To act responsibly in education we have to relate what we do to our values.”

What’s the Index for Inclusion?• Values based approach to school improvement• Promotes conversations with pupils, parents/carers,

governors and all staff• Self evaluation based on an explicit values framework• Explores policy, practice and culture within school

Index for Inclusion:

Dimensions of Educational

Development

Creating inclusive CULTURES

Prod

ucing

inclu

sive P

OLICIE

S Evolving inclusive PRACTICES

Inclusive Values “Inclusion is about increasing participation for all children

and adults. It is about supporting schools to become more responsive to the diversity of children’s backgrounds, interests, experience, knowledge and skills”

“The most important perspective on inclusion involves putting particular values into action in education and society. Inclusion then forms a coherent approach to educational and social development. It is a commitment to particular values which accounts for a wish to overcome exclusion and promote inclusion.”

A values based Framework

• Using the Values on the cards:– What do these values mean to you?– How would these values been seen in your school?– What does adopting this value mean to your school?

Finding your way around

• Start on Pages 176-177. Have a look through the indicators and complete using the pencil.

• An indicator is an aspiration for development• Its meaning is clarified by challenging

questions

• How can these indicators be used?

Moving Forward

• Consider ways in which the Index might encourage engagement with priorities that have not previously featured in the school improvement plan.

• Values? Alliances? Curriculum? Participation?

Ideas for use of the IndexThe questionnaires on pages 178-182 can be used to

collect views of stakeholders and to provide evidence to support statements about what needs to happen and what has improved.

(You may not wish to use all the questions on a questionnaire – use the document on the disc at the back of the book to edit according to your interests.)

Ask the school council, governors, parent groups to use aspects of the index to find out information and bring it back to the index group. (It is not more work for 1 person, but rather a tool to help lots of people.)

The Index and Ofsted

• Direct relevance for targeting actions in relation to Ofsted judgements or anticipated judgements.

• Evidence base the triangulation of parent/carer, pupil, governor and staff views.

• It is a self evaluation and development framework.

• The indicators can be mapped against the 4 Ofsted judgements and overall effectiveness.

Achievement of Pupils

• Rapid and sustained progress over time C2:4, C2:9

• Application of wide range of skills in reading, writing, communication and mathematics C1:10, C1:11

• Development of understanding C2:3, C2:5

• Well prepared for their next stage B1:9, C1:12

Quality of Teaching• Promotion and assessment of learning C2:7, C2:2• Promotion of spiritual, moral, social and cultural

development A2:1, A2:2• Teacher planning, implementation of lessons and

homework C2:12, C2:9• Activities within and outside the classroom including

additional support C2:11, C2:13• Pupil understanding of their own learning

Impact of marking and assessment on learning C2:7, C2:1

• High expectations of Teachers A2:5, C2:7

Behaviour and Safety• Pupil attitudes to learning C2:3, C2:4 • Pupil behaviour in different contexts in the school

A1:4, B2:6• Exclusions and attendance B2:7, B2:8• Pride in themselves and their school A2:9, B1:11• Bullying B2:9, A1:3• Prevent and tackle discriminatory behaviour A2:7,

A2:8• Views expressed by pupils, parents/carers, staff and

governors B1:1, A1:5• Pupil understanding and response to risk A2:10, B1:9

Leadership and Management• Broad and balanced curriculum which meets the needs, aptitudes and interest of pupils A1:11, C1:12• Promotion of achievement, good behaviour, successful progression to the next stage B1:9, C2:4• Promotes spiritual, moral, social and cultural development A2:1,

C1:5• Capacity for improvement B1:2, B1:4 • Effectiveness of governors A1:6, B1:1• Help pupils prepare for life in modern democratic Britain and a global society A1:7, A1:8• Partnership working with other schools and the community A1:10,

C2:14• Effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements B2:1, A2:10

Leadership and Management (cont)

• Pursuit of excellence evidence base of self evaluation B1:1, A2:1

• Satisfaction of pupils and parents/carers A1:5, A1:4

• Robust performance management and CPD B1:2, B1:4

Overall Effectiveness• Teaching combined with a rich and relevant curriculum contributes to learning and achievement for all

B1:8, C2:2• Pupils are fully equipped for their next stage B1:9, C1:12• Highest expectations for and from all A2:5, A1:10• Drive for continuous improvement B1:1, A2:4• Pupils thrive in a supportive, highly cohesive learning

community A1:7, A1:1

The indicators listed here, are offered to illustrate the flexibility of this school improvement tool and its relevance to Ofsted.

Next Steps…

• The index is a flexible tool for school improvement.• It is NOT something extra.• The key is to find your starting point…

Ofsted themes?Values?

Engagement of school community?

Next Steps…

• Please complete the ‘First Thoughts’ form

• We want to capture the themes of interest to inform an index network of schools.

• Norfolk is part of an action research project

Background information• The index was originally published in 2000 and sent

to every school across the country by the then DfES• It was sent to schools at the end of July with no

covering letter!• The index for inclusion has been translated into over

40 languages during the past 12 years• It promotes a participatory approach to school

improvement as it encourages dialogue within a school community

Background information• Judith Carter Senior Adviser in Children’s

Services was involved with the revisions and 35 Norfolk schools piloted the materials.

• Questions are written within each indicator to encourage school communities to consider what this would actually ‘look like’ in practice.

• Clarity of definition of inclusion as ‘participation of all’ ‘developing education settings and systems for all’ and ‘inclusive values into action’.

Next Index Forum Meetings

• Neatherd High School – Wednesday ?? May 2pm – 3.30pm

• Wymondham High School– Thursday ??? June 2pm – 3.30pm

Website – inclusionindex.neatherd.orgBe great to put up your uses/stories