Lead Inclusion School Update

June 2026

Welcome to June's Lead Inclusion School update. In this month’s edition, you will find:

  • Dates for Your Diary

  • Updates 

  • Reminders

  • Spotlight

  • Resources 

  • Opportunities. 

Dates for Your Diary

  • June networking call (afternoon), Thursday 18 June, 3:30pm. Sign up here
  • Lead Inclusion School Virtual Conference, Thursday 25 June, 9:15am–3:15pm. Sign up here.
  • Summer Reporting Window, 6–17 July. Links to the new sheets have been sent out via email.
  • July Networking Call (afternoon), Thursday 9 July, 3:30pm. Sign up here.
  • Lead Inclusion School Conference, Molineux Stadium, Monday 21 September, 9:30am–3:30pm. Sign up here.

Lead Inclusion School Virtual Conference 

We’re looking forward to seeing you at our virtual conference which will take place on Thursday 25 June. As shared within the prospectus, the expectation is for at least one member of staff to attend from each Lead Inclusion School.  

You can register for the conference here. When booking your place please also choose two workshops that you would like to attend during the conference. Bookings close Friday 12 June.

Agenda

9:00am – 9:15am: Log in for the day

9:15am – 9:35am: Welcome and opening with Vicci Wells

9:35am – 10:35am: Learning, Adapting and Evolving: Inclusion 2028 Year One Review with ASK Research and Rob Belbin

10:35am – 11:00am: Break

11:00am – 11:45am: Workshop 1

Choose from:

  • Preparing for Practice: Supporting Teacher Trainees to Thrive
  • Strength in Place: Using Local Networks to Advance Inclusion
  • Inclusive Youth Leadership: The Why, What and How
  • Who's Not in the Room? Bridging Gaps for Alternative and Specialist Provision

12:00pm – 12:45pm: Workshop 2

Choose from:

  • Preparing for Practice: Supporting Teacher Trainees to Thrive
  • Strength in Place: Using Local Networks to Advance Inclusion
  • Inclusive Youth Leadership: The Why, What and How
  • Who's Not in the Room? Bridging Gaps for Alternative and Specialist Provision

12:45pm – 1:45pm: Lunch

1:45pm – 2:30pm: Enhancing Enrichment
How can Inclusion 2028 enhance a future enrichment framework?

2:30pm – 2:45pm: Wrap up and close.

Lead Inclusion School Conference (in person) 

This year's Lead Inclusion School Conference will take place at the Molineux Stadium, Waterloo Rd, Wolverhampton WV1 4QR, on Monday 21 September 9:30am – 3:30pm. All Lead Inclusion Schools are required to attend. You can book your place here, bookings close Friday 17 July.

Further details, including the agenda and parking information, will be shared nearer the time.

Updates

Welcome Back Webinar 

The Welcome Back Webinar has been sent out via email but you can also watch it using this link below. The webinar contains programme information, updates and dates for your diary this term. 

Comets Programme  

The Comets football training programme has been paused for this academic year. If you have any primary or special schools that are keen to get involved, please email [email protected] to let us know and they will be contacted in September.  

Once the training has been completed, schools will receive a Comets kit and equipment pack, giving them everything they need to start delivering the programme straight away. The pack includes footballs, bibs, emotion cue cards and a range of fidget toys to help create an inclusive and engaging football experience for everyone. 

Reminders

Contract Amendments 2026-27 

The Lead Inclusion School contract amendment letters have been sent out via email. Please ask your headteacher to sign the amendment and return this to [email protected] by Friday 12 June. We are unable to release future funding if this hasn’t been completed.  

Termly Reporting 

The links to our programme reporting survey will be sent out shortly. Links to your reporting spreadsheets have already been emailed to you. Please get in touch at [email protected] if you would like the link resent or if you’re having any issues accessing your sheet.   

Partner Survey - We Need Your Support! 

As part of our Department for Education funding, the Youth Sport Trust has to collect data from the people who take part in our events and activities to identify their feedback. This feedback highlights the impact the Youth Sport Trust Lead Inclusion School network has which contributes to applying for future funding of Inclusion 2028. 

To do this, please can you send this link on to everyone you have had contact with as part of Inclusion 2028 this year, (schools and any wider organisations) asking them to take five minutes to provide some feedback. 

Our independent evaluators ASK Research Partners will be collecting the data and will check that we are getting responses across all counties. Across this first year of Inclusion 2028, your termly reporting has highlighted that collectively as a network you have supported over 26,000 school staff and others – it would be great to hear from as many of these practitioners as possible. Please ensure all practitioners you have had contact with receive this link. 

ASK will be reporting the findings at the end of this term to the Department for Education, which we will share with yourselves in due course. 

We look forward to hearing all about the difference you have made to practitioners and pupils with SEND this year.

Spotlight

Spotlight on Alfriston School and Wexham School 

Earlier this month Alfriston School and Wexham School joined together to deliver their Inclusion in Action Live Lab and the EE Disability FA Cup Festival. It was great to see a range of practitioners including learning support assistants, PE teachers and SENCOs attending the Live Lab and taking part in activities linked to tennis, cricket and hockey. Just next door, pupils rotated around six stations trying out different disability football formats using the equipment bag provided. Both events highlighted what inclusive sport looks like in action and the power of collaborating with local providers to support delivery. We are looking forward to visiting more festivals and Live Labs this term!

Resources

Unlock your June CPD opportunities with nasen 

A range of free SEND-focused professional development opportunities are available throughout June, offering valuable insights for teachers, SENCOs, leaders and support staff. The Specialist Spotlight series covers key topics such as adaptive teaching, developing learner independence, sequencing lessons for maths, supporting attention difficulties, and promoting resilience and mental wellbeing across primary, secondary and FE settings. Additional sessions include a Twilight Talk on supporting students returning to school after brain injury, a short session on staff development, and a timely workshop on Inclusive Practice under the SEND Reforms (Thursday 25 June), particularly relevant for senior leaders. Please note that some sessions overlap, so early booking is recommended. Looking ahead, nasen LIVE 2026 will take place on Friday 3 July in Birmingham, providing a full day of expert insight, networking and discussion for professionals across the SEND sector. 

Further information and booking links can be found here.

Opportunities 

Mencap and Special Olympics Great Britain Learning Disability in Sport Workshop 

A brand-new online workshop exploring learning disability and sport is now available to book, delivered through an exciting partnership between Mencap Sport and Special Olympics Great Britain. 

Taking place on Monday 20 July, (6pm–8pm), this engaging session is designed for anyone who wants to build their understanding and confidence in creating more inclusive sporting environments. Whether you’re a coach, volunteer, club representative or simply passionate about accessibility in sport, this workshop offers valuable insights and practical guidance. 

Participants will explore what a learning disability is, as well as the key barriers individuals may face when trying to access sport. The session will also provide practical strategies to overcome these challenges, including effective communication approaches and ways to adapt activities to be more inclusive. 

In addition, the workshop will highlight how to better promote sporting opportunities to people with a learning disability, alongside showcasing the different pathways and opportunities available within learning disability sport. 

Spaces are available now – sign up here. 

If you’re unable to attend in July, a second session will run on Monday 17 August, covering the same content but with an added focus on the National Summer Games. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your knowledge, strengthen inclusive practice, and support more people with a learning disability to get involved in sport. 

Variety Disability Sports Awards 2026 - Nominations Now Open 

We’re excited to share that nominations are now open for the Variety, the Children’s Charity Disability Sports Awards 2026 – a fantastic opportunity to celebrate and recognise the incredible achievements across disability sport. 

Taking place on Monday 12 October at the prestigious @sohoplace Theatre in London, this bi-annual event shines a spotlight on individuals, teams, organisations, and schools who are making a real difference in inclusive sport. 

With nominations closing on Tuesday 1 September, now is the time to highlight the people and programmes in your network who deserve recognition. 

Award Categories: 

  • Unsung Hero
  • Rising Star
  • Innovation
  • Outstanding Team Achievement
  • Outstanding Individual Achievement
  • Inspiration
  • Active and Inclusive School
  • Accessible Sport for All.

These awards recognise contributions at all levels, from grassroots to national sport. 

This is a great opportunity to recognise those making a real difference in inclusive sport. If you know someone who deserves recognition, be sure to submit a nomination. 

Further information, including the nomination form, can be found here. 

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