In my role as a schools’ system leader, I was fortunate to be invited to join a multiagency task and finish group to contribute to the co-production of Bury’s revised integrated graduated approach across the summer term of 2025. The mission of the group was not only to revise our local area graduated approach, but to consider how as a group we could spread the word, and support its implementation throughout our local area, especially in schools.
As part of the revised graduated approach, Bury is introducing guidelines for Ordinarily Available Inclusive Provision (OAIP). I have been especially keen to implement the guidelines in our school to establish consistency in approach with a view to preventing sudden escalation of cases where SEMH needs in particular seem to have become unmanageable.
OAIP is an integral aspect in our School Improvement Plan this year and we are using the OAIP audit tool as a Senior Leadership Team to review the provision currently in place. We have ensured that the audit process has been opened to three of our practising class teachers. As a team, we are reviewing each of the nine sections week by week and RAG rating them with a view to sharing with all staff once completed. Staff feedback will determine next steps in terms of actions in school.
I will be attending the SEND and Inclusion launch event on 29th September alongside my SENCO and we have planned a continuing SEND focus for our October professional activity day.
I feel the advantages of early implementation of the revised graduated approach, including the guidelines for OAIP are working well for our school on several levels: with the likely introduction of national standards for OAIP and SEN Support, we feel well prepared for what the future will bring, as well as being able to articulate our approach to mainstream inclusion at our next Ofsted inspection under the new framework. As a school, we are developing greater awareness of and more frequent discussion about our priorities; the improved understanding of the overall team is already greatly improved and there is a new clarity to our agreed approach for all staff. As a team, we are committed to the need for a constant and consistent focus on SEND and inclusion .
I have been honoured to commit to the group’s shared outcome of wanting Bury children to be thriving in school. I am sure that you will want to join us in realising that same vision through your commitment to the revised graduated approach and through the borough-wide implementation of the guidelines for Ordinarily Available Inclusive Provision.