South Ayrshire Council News

Members of the Inclusion Squad Network and invited guests

The Citadel in Ayr was the venue for the launch of the Inclusion Squad Network that twelve South Ayrshire Council schools, including one for students with additional support needs, are taking part in.

Councillor Hywel Davies, Portfolio Carrier for Learning and Prosperity for the Council said: “I would like to congratulate the pupils who created the original Inclusion Squad at Dundonald Primary School. They could not possibly have known that their ideas would be such a success, that an Inclusion Squad Network would be formed, and that other South Ayrshire Council schools would take part. This project has been possible because of the vision and determination of the pupils to make a real difference to the lives of their peers.”

Representatives from Coylton, Cairn, Girvan, Tarbolton, Dundonald, Ayr Grammar, Symington, Glenburn, St John’s, Troon, Holmston and South Park schools took part in the launch along with invited guests.

In 2005 a group of Dundonald Primary School pupils noticed that one of their friends who was a wheelchair user, and others who had additional support needs, wanted to be included in all the physical activities at the school. As part of their Adaptive Leadership education the pupils decided that they would create an Inclusion Squad to give additional support to other pupils, so that they would be able to take part in all school activities.

The Inclusion Squad was such a success that in June 2007 the squad won first place in the Scottish Education Award Schools for All category and in September 2007 gained second place in the Scottish Support for Learning Good Practice Award.

The Network was established in November 2007 to expand the good work of the founders of the initial Dundonald Primary School Inclusion Squad. Since then pupils of all abilities and backgrounds and staff have been able to consult with each other and discuss their ideas or concerns about meeting the requirements of children with additional support needs and peers within their school.

Councillor Margaret Toner, Depute Leader of the Council and Portfolio Carrier for Community Services said: “It is vital that all young people in our communities, regardless of any additional support needs they have, are included in school activities. By joining in with their peers at school young people can learn, have fun and forge friendships that may well last for the reset of their lives. I am sure that the Inclusion Squad Network will really enhance the lives of many young people.”

The Council Sports Development Team was invited to support the production of a video diary of the founder Dundonald Primary School Inclusion Squad members, so that it could be viewed at the annual Enquire Conference 2008 whose them was
‘Achieving Excellence with Additional Support’.

The Inclusion Squad Network aims are as follows:

• All children must be included in physical education as part of their curriculum.
• To encourage all pupils no matter their background or needs to participate in physical activities and be a health promoting school.
• To ensure that as many schools as possible share our vision and work together to change attitudes to inclusion.
• To find funding that ensures all children have equipment in school to support them in physical education just as able bodied pupils can expect.

More Photographs from the Launch