[Contents] [Next]

Count Us In: Success for All

1. Introduction to the report

Who is this resource for?

This resource gives the professional view of HMIE on the strengths and best practice in implementing inclusion and equality across education in Scotland, and sets out what needs to be done now to improve. It is designed to be used by all who work with children, young people and adult learners to assist them in reflecting on their current practice and in improving that practice to meet the needs and aspirations of all in Scottish society.

The resource consists of:

• an introduction by Bill Maxwell, Her Majesty’s Senior Chief Inspector;
• a summary which gives an overview of inclusion and equality; and
• five sections, corresponding to the headings of Journey To Excellence, which give statements of entitlements, more detail on HMIE’s findings, illustrations of best practice, and reflective questions for practitioners.

Throughout this resource, we sometimes refer to “children, young people and adult learners”, and sometimes simply to “learners”. Our intention is that we are considering all learning experiences, planned and unplanned. We also refer to “establishments and services” to show that we are referring to all providers of learning experiences, and those who work in partnership with them to support learning.

While reading this report and considering the issues, you should always have in mind the following questions.

• What are we doing now that is effective in improving experiences and outcomes for children, young people and adult learners?
• What are we going to do in the future to further improve experiences and outcomes for learners?
• Who do we work well with now, and who are we going to talk to and work with in the future?
• How will we know if we have made a difference?

What will HMIE do?

HMIE will continue to work with Learning and Teaching Scotland, Scottish Government colleagues, and partner professionals to:

• ensure the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence and Getting it Right for Every Child delivers success for all;
• continue to monitor how barriers to learning and progress arise and are dealt with, while ensuring that responses do not in themselves create other barriers; and
• continue to monitor the implementation of inclusion and equality in order to ensure effective support for learners.
• support improvements, including using Glow, to establish networks of practitioners to continue to share sector-leading, innovative, interesting and developing practice.

What will you do?

Each section of this report has a corresponding professional development section. This links to illustrative film clips which are part of the Journey To Excellence resource, and has a series of reflective questions about how you can improve your practice. The Glow network will support professionals in discussing and sharing their practice in inclusion and equality.The main difference to the lives of children and young people is made by the professionals who directly interact with them, and we must always remember that they can have a significant, positive impact.

Feedback

HMIE will continue to engage in professional discussion with stakeholders and partners while carrying out inspections and reviews, and through ongoing liaison with education authorities, establishments, services, and the voluntary sector.

However, if you wish to contact us directly about an aspect of inclusion and equality, please contact mailto:hmi.inverness@hmie.gsi.gov.uk or the normal HMIE enquiries mailbox.

[Contents] [Next]