Schools to be Inclusive by Design

13th Feb 2026

The government have announced a 10-year plan to revitalise schools and colleges for every child. Schools are to be inclusive by design, with dedicated ‘inclusion bases’ and new guidance on adaptations to improve inclusivity and accessibility.

The NNPCF is encouraged by the recognition that the physical environment can have a significant positive impact on the wellbeing and engagement of pupils with SEND. We also support the commitment to dedicated objectives that ensure school buildings are safe, suitable, sustainable, and of sufficient size to improve outcomes.

The NNPCF endorse the vision of a school system that is inclusive and meets the needs of all learners, including those with SEND and vulnerable children and agree that it is essential that there is sufficient space in schools, where needed, to support mainstream pupils, learners with SEND, and those in early years settings.

This announcement is part of the drive to make schools more inclusive by design, the government expects that every secondary school will, in time, have an “inclusion base”. An inclusion base is the term for a dedicated safe space away from busy classrooms where pupils can access targeted support that bridges the gap between mainstream and specialist provision.

The NNPCF are part of the SEND Development Group, chaired by Minister Gould, and this week was also attended by Secretary of State Bridget Phillipson. During these meetings, the NNPCF continue to raise, that buildings and space alone are not enough. New building and bespoke spaces, such as inclusion bases must be matched by sufficient numbers of skilled teachers and teaching assistants, as well as timely access to therapists and specialist support within mainstream settings. Without the right workforce and expertise, this investment will not deliver the meaningful improvements children and young people with SEND need.

The NNPCF also would also like there to be clear, practical guidance for inclusion bases within mainstream schools ensuring that all inclusion bases have access to qualified and trained teachers, are prevented from using these specialist spaces from being behaviour management units, and children and young people are effectively supported to remain fully included in their school community.

Link to DfE Press Release:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/10-year-plan-to-revitalise-schools-and-colleges-for-every-child