implementing the EA, Educating Scotland (2012) also supports the philosophy of inclusive education. They stipulate that inclusion rather than integration demonstrates a move away from seeing disabilities as a ‘deficit model’. The emphasis through the EA is more about recognising the whole person rather than focusing on the learner as being deficient in some way due to their disability. Individual students under the EA should not be catagorised but adjustments introduced which will allow the same opportunities as non-disabled students.

In support of UNESCO, Pupil Support and Access (2001 p2) demonstrate the importance of inclusion. ‘Schools supported by local education authorities and others should actively seek to remove the barriers to learning and participation that can hinder or exclude pupils with SEN. Schools and local education authorities that are successful at including pupils with special educational needs meet those needs in a positive and proactive way. They also approach inclusion as part of their overall improvement strategy. Inclusion is far more than just about the location of a child’s school placement’.

The above statements strongly support the EA’s ideals of inclusion and provisions for SEN students in mainstream schools. The emphasis and legal requirements are now clearly focused on schools making sure they provide the necessary support and adjustments for all SEN and disabled students.

How effective is Inclusion?

Developing inclusion involves students, professionals, partners, parents, carers and the wider community. According to Goodland and Lovat (1993) students with impairments or disabilities do better academically when they are able to socialise with their non-disabled peers during instructional time. Supporting evidence from Goor and Schwenn (1993) also indicate that the interaction between students with or without disabilities enhances academic achievement for students with disabilities.

Inclusion and Pupil Achievement Department for Education Skills RR578 (2004 p50), clearly argues that ‘LEAs with high rates of inclusion in mainstream did no worse than those with low rates of inclusion in national tests. At KS 4 in 2002 average point score was 38.55. For non statemented pupils with SEN, in mainstream, it was 21.85. For statemented pupils in mainstream it was 16.99 and for pupils in special schools it was 2.4 points 7 times worse. Add to this the impact of social isolation and low self-esteem it is understandable why 50