PAGE 70

INCLUSION

Scottish educational provision is set within a philosophy and a legal framework of inclusion. This represents not just the right to be part of mainstream provision but the opportunity to take part in that provision. This may require, for some pupils, high levels of additional support - physical, curricular, personal and specialist. Traditionally, provision has varied greatly around the country, often with large differences between rural and urban approaches. With the Scotland Schools Act and Disability Discrimination Acts further work is both required and in progress. Effective partnership is an essential ingredient and there are many examples of good practice. Some of these are included here.

The inclusion of a totally blind pupil into Lochgelly High School, a child with Down's syndrome into Haddington Infant School and a severely physically disabled pupil into Viewlands PS in Stirling all serve as examples. Links between existing special and mainstream schools are examples of developing inclusive practices. Examples are included from Clackmannanshire and Fife: Alva and Fairfield schools, Lochgelly High and Lochgelly North, respectively. Special or "Literacy" classes are becoming more common and a partnership from Boghall PS in West Lothian is included. Projects from St Joseph's College in Dumfries and Galloway and Harris Academy in Dundee provide further examples of partnership for inclusion.

Once again these are not "best practice" but good practice. The claim that, "In our school, we have been doing that for years" is not really relevant because these are from different places with different players. The examples do, however, provide the opportunity to learn from others and re-evaluate inclusive projects in places and with learners we know.