AchieveAbility National Network

1
HEA Research Seminar Series 2009 Access and
Success for All

• AchieveAbility National Network
• A framework for whole institutional Inclusive
  practice
• Katherine Hewlett David Crabtree

2
Context and premise

• Lack of understanding of how the brain works -
  impact on teacher CPD
• Underpinning knowledge of learning to manage
  pupil performance
• Identification of SpLD - 10 in the classroom
• Underlying premise is that teaching and learning
  for SpLD benefits all learners
• Change of direction in the classroom-
  accessibility for all learners

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Activity 1

• On your own, imagine that you had been appointed
  VC (or similar)
• what would be your vision of inclusive practice?
• list the key elements

4
Learning most - when there is greatest diversity

• The Challenges
• Global questions
• The power of simple questions
• Multiple intelligences

• The need for right brain approaches
• New disciplines
• New knowledge
• Knowledge based economies

5
Background to the research

• The background - East of England training
• Engaged an active learning approach to teaching
• Responded to Govt targets-greater participation
  in HE
• Since 2006- 91 institutions- 145 staff.
• Including 3 Review sessions- enabled staff to
  exchange
• ideas- report on progress made.
• Research Methodology
• Mailed out questionnaires to participants
• Face to face and telephone interviews
• Roles- Resources- perceptions-ideas about
  learning
• General-opportunities-knowledge-pupil performance

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Findings

• Institutional twin tracks
• Whose pupils
• Perceived a small minority
• Subject focus

• Value-added
• In-built predictions
• Focus on targets rather than learning
• Inclusion units

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Activity 2

• In a nutshell in your institution
• how would you describe what currently operates
  with regard to inclusive practice?

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The framework

• Step by step approach
• SMT
• Institution audit
• Action plan
• Staff audit
• Materials audit
• Staff training
• Observation
• Embedding practice
• Whole school assessment

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Classroom observations

• Supportive
• Criteria in partnership with teachers
• Multi-sensory
• Big picture linked to details
• Feedback with examples
• Full report to school

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Embedding practice

• First stage resource base file sharing
• Audit and observations

• Working in teams
• Management led in consultation with staff

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Research ConclusionEmergent issues and questions

• Loss of intellectual talent to the nation.
• Teacher training, in the main, does not include
  practice for SpLD learners
• Disparate data collection across sector
• Lack of staff awareness

• Staff working in silos
• Institutional operational structures
• Change in delivery perceived as risk taking
• Subject based knowledge versus underpinning
  knowledge

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Activity 3

• What will you take from todays session to make
  your vision (Activity 1) a reality?

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AchieveAbility National Network

• Raising awareness by building on the outcomes of
  the national project.
• Disseminating the findings of our activities
  research
• Lobbying on teaching and learning policy.
• Embedding Teaching Learning practice
• Providing a platform for the learner voice.

www.achieveability.org.uk