Educators and wider partners came together to consider new approaches to creating inclusive environments for all children to prosper at an event in Grimsby this week.
More than 150 people attended a launch event at Grimsby Town Hall to discuss North East Lincolnshire’s shared commitment to Ordinarily Available Provision and Inclusive Mainstream Practice.
The event marked a day of ongoing commitment within the local education community, bringing together guest speakers, like minded individuals and members of the community to celebrate inclusion and belonging for the children of North-East Lincolnshire.
Director of Children’s Services at North East Lincolnshire Council, Ann-Marie Matson, opened the event with a powerful speech about inclusion and the importance of every child accessing education.
Award-winning author and speaker, Katriona O’Sullivan, then took to the stage to share her own personal experiences.
Katriona shared a deeply personal account of her childhood, reflecting on the challenges she faced growing up through to graduating with a PhD at Trinity College, connecting with everyone in the room.
The Ordinarily Available Provision and Inclusive Mainstream Practice (OAIP) approach aims to become an everyday practice for all children and young people, and this event was successful in promoting a clear optimism for the future.
Throughout the day, the event moved from the impact of this launch to how the OAIP approach and wider changes in the local and national education landscape will support children, their families, and those who work in education.
Ann Marie Matson, Director of Children’s Services, was there to begin the event and has said:
“I am really pleased to have opened the event today, with partners from across the borough, this is the start of an incredible change.
“It was really touching to hear a first-hand account from Katriona O’Sullivan’s life and early childhood, I hope this encourages all teachers to understand how every child is different.”
Councillor Samuel Grice, deputy leader of North East Lincolnshire Council and portfolio holder for children and education, has said that the launch marks a special change within the teaching community:
“I am very impressed with the turn out of the event; it was a great opportunity to have so many practitioners in one room.
“The launch event of the OAIP approach is really important to show the local schools what we are able to offer as a community.”
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