The Role of the Principal in leading a school towards Inclusion

The principal is pivotal in creating and promoting an inclusive culture There are huge social 

 benefits for both ‘regular’ and ‘exceptional’ children in an inclusive classroom.

Where do you begin the process?

Understand inclusive education yourself. 

Find good examples of inclusive schools to visit and ensure you take along the staff ‘influencers

Spend time learning.... on site, on the web, speak to people

Connect effective school practice with inclusive school practice

You can become an inclusive school without adding money to the mix

You need courage to deal with skeptics 

We must be the change we want to see.... Mahatma Gandhi

Focus on change!

Understand the change process

Develop a broad plan of action with as many stakeholders as possible

Realize that not all your staff will 'love' the idea!

Support all efforts to change.... provide time to visit schools, money for attending courses

Accept that you will not have all the answers at first, and that you will always be changing, adapting, progressing

Create a safe space for people to 'risk'

Create a culture that encourages 'learning by doing'

Real change takes a long time!

Create your team!

Find people to support you, the staff and the school

Identify champions of inclusion and invest in their training and growth

Ensure your leadership team feels empowered to assist staff

Include people from the district office as much as possible

Find volunteers to assist staff.... counselling, reading, group work

Involve parents in their children's learning

The path of progress

Solve practical problems, one at a time, with creative ideas.

Encourage experimentation amongst the teachers.

Celebrate all progress, even small steps.

Realize that your goals will keep changing as your school grows.

Keep asking and learning from those further down the path.

Share successes with all stakeholders.

Keep communicating with all in the process.

Trust the children to speed up the progress.

Look at what children can do, not what they can't do!

Replace those teachers who leave with those who believe in inclusion.

Don't lead the process alone, the more people who take up the challenge the better.

Don't follow policy to the letter...change, adapt and develop better policies!

Teach children with exceptionalities yourself to model good practice

Keep evaluating your school practice.

Accept that you won't get it right always and that some children need more help than you can provide.