Inclusion was the subject of the day when governors from schools across Blackburn with Darwen joined together for their annual conference.
Held at Blackburn Central High School, around 90 governors from across the borough joined Local Authority officers and speakers to discuss inclusion in all its forms. Speakers included Director of Children’s Services at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Jayne Ivory, Assistant Director of the Council for Disabled Children, Philippa Stobbs, and Head Teacher of Blackburn Central High School, Diane Atkinson.

Ms Stobbs has spent the last 30 years playing an integral role in crafting, challenging and championing education policy through her various roles both in the public and voluntary sector. She outlined the importance of governors setting the ethos of the school and the importance of a whole school approach to inclusion. She was followed by Diane Atkinson who gave a passionate account of her school, her principles and the values that drive her personally as a head teacher to support all children to be their very best. Throughout the morning governors were asked to think about how inclusive their school is and how they would know?

Speaking after the event, Director for Children’s Services, Jayne Ivory said: “We know that our schools always strive for the best possible outcomes for all learners and that inclusive practice is so important. “It was helpful to hear the national perspective and also how inclusion plays out at a local level.”