School inclusivity strategy launched by Jersey government

A plan aimed to welcome, include and support children in education has been launched by the Government of Jersey.

It said its vision would help children "achieve their full academic and social potential".

Key points of the plan include respect and value, wellbeing and support and working collaboratively with families and professionals.

Sean O'Regan, group director for education, said Jersey had great ambition - but added it could do more.

He said: "Inclusion needs to be at the heart of what we do - there's a lot that's good about Jersey, it is the best place in the world for some children to grow up, but our drive it so that can be for all children."

The States said the vision was co-designed with parents, carers, education practitioners, children and young people, and agencies that worked with children and young people.

At its launch event, bilingual book readings were read in Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, French and Jèrriais, and stalls from various agencies and charities were in attendance.

At its launch event the Sign Language Choir, including St Clement and Les Landes school pupils, performed.

Mr O'Regan said the performance helped children feel recognised.

"I think that they're listened to, that they've helped produce what we've done today that the listening that happens at the nursery level, the school level, the college level - that needs to happen at the top level," he said.

Oliver, 8, has used sign language from a young age as his parents are deaf, and said sharing his skill with his school friends was "just fun, and I enjoyed it a lot".

Bella, 9, said she enjoyed "everyone being inclusive" and that it was a "really fun" day, and Rory, 8 said he had enjoyed learning "all these new signs".

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