New report shares positive stories of inclusion in Scottish schools

A new report that summarises the Success Looks Different Awards 2023 has revealed positive stories of inclusion from across schools in Scotland. The annual awards were set up in 2022 by the Inclusion Ambassadors, a group of secondary school-aged pupils from across Scotland who have a range of additional support needs.

The group were concerned that, often, when schools measure achievements in learning they talk mostly about exams. Although exam results are important to many pupils, we know that not everyone will sit formal exams. The Inclusion Ambassadors strongly believe that success looks different for everyone. They set up the annual Success Looks Different Awards to showcase how pioneering schools are helping pupils with additional support needs feel included, supported and celebrated.

The Inclusion Ambassadors led the Success Looks Different Awards 2023 from start to finish. The young people set the award categories, the criteria and judged the entries. Some of the group were also involved in presenting the awards at winning schools.

2023 Award Winners

In 2023, the Success Looks Different Awards had four categories: Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School and Special School.

The winners and runners-up were:

Early Years
Winner: Woodlands Nursery Centre, South Lanarkshire
Runner-up: Wallacetown Early Years Centre, South Ayrshire

Primary School
Winner: Williamston Primary School, West Lothian
Runner-up: Houston Primary School, Renfrewshire

Secondary School
Winner: Our Lady and St Patrick’s High School, West Dunbartonshire
Runner-up: Park Mains High School, Renfrewshire

Special School
Winner: Fairview School, Perth & Kinross
Runner-up: East Park School, Glasgow City

"If you don't do anything about it, inclusion is just a word."(quote from an Inclusion Ambassador)

The winning entries had common themes, such as prioritising relationships between staff and pupils, including pupils in shaping celebrations of success and taking a holistic approach – both with individual learners and the wider school. Some also created opportunities for student leaders and prioritised connecting with the wider community. Each of the entries found ways of celebrating success in creative and innovative ways.

The Success Looks Different Awards 2023 report shares lots of examples of good practice from the award winners.

Lucy Johnson, Enquire’s Senior Development Officer, who managed the award in 2023, said:

“Sharing examples of how different schools support inclusion is an important part of the Success Looks Different Awards. The breadth of applications we have received since the award began in 2022 has given us an insight into the dedication so many educational establishments have to embedding inclusion and recognising that success looks different for every individual. This report is an opportunity for us to recognise and promote this valuable work and celebrate the good practice happening across Scotland.

New Primary School Pilot Report

Alongside the launch of the Success Looks Different Awards 2024, we are delighted to announce the publication of a report on a recent pilot project to trial delivering the Inclusion Ambassadors approach in a Primary School setting.

The report highlights the importance of the adults who work with children in providing support and building meaningful relationships. It also highlights the importance of the learning environment on the experiences of children in primary school.

Lucy Johnson, Enquire’s Senior Development Officer, who was part of the pilot, said:

“In the last few years, the Inclusion Ambassadors group has grown from strength to strength. However, both the Inclusion Ambassadors and the team that supports them felt that there is a gap in the work we’re doing regarding the views of younger children with additional support needs.

By extending the Inclusion Ambassador offer to younger pupils - initially through this pilot - we hope to create further opportunities for all children to engage in decisions made about their support for learning.”

You can access the full primary school pilot report by clicking here.

You can also find more information at childreninscotland.org.uk/inclusion-ambassadors