Achievement for All in International Classrooms ─ Improving Outcomes for Children and Young People With Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

The organisation Achievement for All engaged in international projects in Lithuania, South Korea, Norway, the United States of America, England and Wales with the aim of raising the aspirations, access and achievements of vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people. These projects were united in bringing Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) back into the classroom by focusing on the relationship between parents, leaders, teachers and wider professionals. Achievement for All in International Classrooms examines these projects, looking at the context of each and the research findings, before considering how this could enhance knowledge and understanding in other international settings.

Sonia Blandford examines the policy implications needed to bring SEND into the classroom, understanding of the scale of the issue, moral purpose, belief, commitment, belief and determination. She also considers what it takes to change practice, bringing Achievement for All and SEND into the classroom, looking in particular at the implications for:

- Leadership
- Teaching and learning
- Parental engagement
- Wider outcomes and opportunities
- Professional development

Drawing on her wealth of experience and expertise, Blandford then makes recommendations on what it would take to introduce Achievement for All in policy resulting in bringing SEND into the classroom, with particular reference to changes at national, regional and school level, as well as parental and carer engagement and a desire to improve outcomes for all pupils and students.