Are We Included?
Working in partnership to embrace place-based school improvement strategies

I just want to be me...
Hard working...
Inclusive...
Takes care of people...
I'm aiming to be a good friend...
I want to be a hair stylist or an Olympic gymnast...
I want to be a translator for the police force...
I want to go to university so I can do a better job...
I'm good at Maths...
I can do leadership and strategy...
Putting others before myself...
I'm funny...
To achieve the next level...
To be a good friend...
To succeed in life...
To be unique...
More opportunities...
Riding a bike no-handed...
Inventing something...
Joining a hockey club...
Lots of ideas...
To get better at languages...
Learn to play football and get on a team...
Pupils shared what they learnt
Schools visited the University
Pupils tour the campus with mentors
From the first session with Sonia and George for the 'Are We Included?' project we could see that the students who had been offered the opportunity would derive great benefit from it. The students were reassured straight away that their participation was key to the success of the project, and this gave them the confidence to see it through. To witness our students change from being so hesitant and wary at first, to becoming confident enough to share their opinions and outlook with peers and on the written page, was a joy. Sonia and George encouraged and motivated them every step of the way. Sharing in the experience for our students of being part of this ground-breaking project, has provided me with a valuable addition to my pastoral toolbox as I am able to encourage students to reflect on their involvement and participation in the project when they have approached me for support in times of anxiety or low confidence. Our students – and myself and my colleague – can honestly say we are proud to have been included!
Thank you so much for running the ‘Are We Included?’ programme with a number of our Year 8 students. We purposefully chose students who had relatively low self-esteem and confidence, and it was really lovely to see this grow in a number of them throughout the sessions. I feel providing them with the opportunity to talk and discuss in small groups was beneficial for them, and they all thoroughly enjoyed going to Plymouth University for a visit. Giving them the time to reflect on their own strengths and interests, will hopefully give them tools in the future when they are struggling.