Our Access Strategy

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From the Strategic Director of Learning and Children’s Services

Our plans are ambitious; to make significant improvement by July 2009.  We want every disabled child/young person for whom the mainstream curriculum is appropriate, to have the opportunity to be included in their local community school.

We aim to meet the needs of most disabled children and young people and those with special educational needs (SEN) in local mainstream schools alongside children of the same age.  We want to do this by making sure:

• most children with SEN and disabilities are taught in mainstream schools;
• their teachers have support from specialists/special schools;
• the number of places match the changing numbers of children and young people who require them;
• the need for long distance travel to school is reduced;

We know that we may only be able to provide for some children and young people with very low incidence disabilities by placement in a specialist regional resource.  Where this is essential we will put in place monitoring to safeguard the needs of all our children and young people placed outside of Kingston.

It is the responsibility of each of us working in the field of children’s service to ensure every child is able to achieve their potential and enjoy their educational experience. We have a duty to promote equality for all disabled people, including children and young people.  We must all challenge attitudes and promote an understanding of disability.

Patrick Leeson
Strategic Director of Learning and Children’s Services