6 March 2026 weekly update

Dear Colleagues,

This week I had the great pleasure of attending an event 'Ambitious About Inclusion' organised by the Centre for Young Lives and Mission 44. Delegates heard speeches from Trust leaders across the South East and from Chief Inspector Elizabeth Jones from Kent and Medway Violence Reduction Unit. Statistics were shared regarding severe absence in schools and exclusions and suspensions across Kent and Medway. The commitment in the room to partnership working across local authorities, schools and trusts, NHS, youth groups, charities, youth groups and parent groups was awe inspiring as attendees made pledges as to how we move from statistics to thinking about vulnerable children and young people.

Attendees also heard from Adam and Jayden, two young people with vulnerabilities in our Kent secondary schools, who described how their schools embraced them as individuals through strong and well considered pastoral care determined by a culture of inclusion. They described their challenging circumstances, their additional needs and included how their schools made adjustments to many aspects of their school lives so they could engage; homework and curriculum policies, uniform, attendance and behaviour policies, alongside a commitment to ensure they were fully included in the life of their schools. Adam (Year 11) and Jayden (Year 13) are now studying for GCSEs and A levels and are ready to face the future as independent, capable and confident young adults. I wish them the very best for their futures.

With this in mind, there is a reminder that all Kent schools are invited to take part in developing Kent's Approach to Preventing Exclusion.

As part of the Kent SEN Strategy 2025–2028, the Professional Resource Group (PRG) is developing a consistent, inclusive, and evidence‑based offer for schools to help prevent exclusions and suspensions. To shape this work, schools are invited to join a planning meeting using the PATH approach (Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope) to create a shared vision and approach for reducing exclusions and suspensions.

Schools can register interest and share their views by completing an MS Form. Completing the form by Monday 9 March will ensure they are kept informed and offered further opportunities to contribute to research, planning and development.

This week also saw secondary school offer day. Congratulations and thank you to all officers in the Admissions team who worked so hard to achieve this. A reminder of upcoming School Admissions dates is available.

Many school leaders will now be making contact with their new entrants and parents and carers to welcome them to their school and are looking forward to getting to know them through the next phase of their education journey. This is also an opportunity to review processes around transition in line with the Transition Charter (PDF, 214.9 KB) and CATIE Transition Framework (PDF, 549.3 KB) for children with SEN. With that in mind, an online meeting will take place on Monday 9 March from 3:30pm to 4:15pm with secondary colleagues to discuss information sharing and processes. Meeting invitations have been sent to secondary school SENCOs and the meeting will be recorded for those who may be unable to attend.

Further updates will be shared with all schools at Countywide SENCO forums on Tuesday 17 and Thursday 19 March.

Thank you for the work you do for our children in Kent. My best wishes for a restful weekend when it comes.

Siobhan Price
Assistant Director School Inclusion