Inclusive education is about looking at the ways our schools, classrooms, programs and lessons are designed so that all children can participate and learn. Inclusion is also about finding different ways of teaching so that classrooms actively involve all children. It also means finding ways to develop friendships, relationships and mutual respect between all children, and between children and teachers in the school.

Inclusive education is not just for some children. Being included is not something that a child must be ready for. All children are at all times ready to attend regular schools and classrooms. Their participation is not something that must be earned.

Inclusive education is a way of thinking about how to be creative to make our schools a place where all children can participate. Creativity may mean teachers learning to teach in different ways or designing their lessons so that all children can be involved.

As a value, inclusive education reflects the expectation that we want all of our children to be appreciated and accepted throughout life.

Beliefs and Principles

• All children can learn

• All children attend age appropriate regular classrooms in their local schools

• All children receive appropriate educational programs

• All children receive a curriculum relevant to their needs

• All children participate in co-curricular and extracurricular activities

• All children benefit from cooperation, collaboration among home, among school, among community